Derbyshire

Journey is straight forward M5 then M42 to Junction 9, there’s a slight anxious moment leaving the M42 to A4097 due in part to the signage. We thought we had entered the M6 toll road and would have to pay the £9.60 charge before we could get off, turn around to continue are journey……However all is well as we near the Junction round about…. the confusion being caused through road  works.

The A38 up to Derby is a dual carriageway, almost to our selves. Burton -on-Trent then Derby, soon passed by. Next the A6 to Belper, turning onto the B5023 for Wirksworth. Turn by the traffic lights at Cowers Lane onto the A517, a couple of miles down the road to Ashbourne and we are turning into the gate of the campsite. After tea we take a walk along some lanes  to assess the walking for tomorrow before turning in to watch Murray win the tennis.

Fuelled with a breakfast of croissants and jam, we set off for a 10 mile walk to Ashbourne and back, unfortunately the weather is periodically sunny and showery. Due to the many showers, the overgrown  footpaths across fields are unpleasant, so we have to walk along the roads.

Bradley Wood

After passing through several small villages and Bradley Wood, we stop at a bench to have 11’s, across the field are a herd of Deer and several Camels! “ whats in this tea?”.

	Ashbourne is only a short walk away and is very picturesque. There are many examples of fine Georgian Houses. A park has an old band stand together with a pond and ducks. Several streets are decked out with bunting ready for the festival. The Town was recently visited by the Olympic Torch.
We walk to the the start of the Tissington Trail to check if we could park our van. Unfortunately with limited spaces and size, it could be difficult. We walk back to the town via the tunnel, the sounds of trains can be heard as we pass a speaker. We lunch in the park before retracing our steps back to the site.

A “Rest day”, hide from the weather more like….. The forecast for the rest of the week looks bad as well, we shall see. I stumble out of bed, get changed and make a cup of coffee ( does this sound like a tweet). A peer out of the window confirms that the rain has stopped and we are still in Kansas. The switch on the dashboard gives an audible sound that the alarm is off and the van unlocked. I slide back the door. The awning is still there, a little damp and puddled at the entrance,  that shaken off I start to make the breakfast.

Deciding not to be put off by the weather, we unpack the foldup bikes with 6 gears and 20” wheels and cycle around the lanes. I would like to say that it was pleasant and that the roads are quiet, neither is true, we stop however several times to take shelter and once of the main A517, things quieten down.

What a surprise, 13 miles North of Ashbourne and oh! Matlock Bath in the Derwent Valley with its Mills is stunning, especially Arkwright’s Mill £3.00 entrance fee. Visitors can self guide (45 mins) themselves around this wonderful example of a 18th Century textile Mill.

Further along the Valley is The Heights of Abraham, this all seems very similar to Cheddar Gorge but smarter. Within 30 minutes we are onsite having negotiated the narrow lane leading to the site.

Later after putting up the awning and setting up the satellite dish, we walk over to Youlgreave. ( also spelt Youlgrave) The site manager has recommended the George for a meal.

The Village is a mile away across a field ( views are brilliant) filled with sheep, cows and then across the river Bradford. A steep road “Holly Well” leads to the once busy High Street, We pass what was once a huge Co-Op stores now a YHA. Opposite the church is the George, its menu looks inviting, a special treat is a 10 ounce Steak and chips £8.95. Our walk back is via the river and soon leads to the field we had crossed earlier and the Farm, from which Lesley buys some eggs.

We are surprised with a visit from Charlie and Jane we met in Cornwall, we are invited to Dinner tomorrow at the Ashford Arms in Ashford in the Water.

Is it a tart or a pudding? and how does it taste? We shall find out later. Undeterred we lace up are boots put on our water proofs and set of the 4 miles to Bakewell, to sample the pudding. We use the “Over Haddon” road which in parts is like the Lake District, stone walls and sheep bleating in the distance. We soon reach Bakewell, which looks fantastic even in the rain which has just started to fall. We sit on a bench to have a coffee and watch the people go about their day.

Lesley bought one from Bloomers along with some “Fat Rascals” ( we last ate in Betty’s York) and a Coconut Bakewell Tart which my mother used to make when I was a boy. There are several shops each declaring that theirs is the original. Who’s every it is the recipe is legend to have been created at the Rutland Hotel in the 19th century. It tastes like an almond flavoured “egg custard”.

A belated Anniversary present to Lesley has prompted todays outing, a visit to Chatsworth House. After a camping version of eggs benedict we successfully negotiate the very rough and narrow lane from the site. Our only other obstacle along the lane is “Holly” the Terrier taking a walk with her friends. A straight forward journey of some 9 miles brings us to the car park of the house £3.00

The house and gardens is £15.00 per adult we save £10.00 using our Caravan Club card, well worth it too. I preferred the gardens which are large and rather wild. The rock garden is my particular favourite. Having the van close by was very useful as we had lunch followed by an afternoon tea, before setting off back to camp. Oh I didn’t mention we had a fantastic time out with our friends Charlie and Jane,  last night. The Ashford Arms well deserves its reputation for fine food at a reasonable price… link:   http://www.ashford-arms.co.uk/ After which Charlie demonstrated his rallying skills and local knowledge by taking us on a hike across the moors with Jane’s 4 x 4.

Need I say more……………..If its like this tomorrow I’m going home! What Summer?

What a difference a day makes according to the song. We woke to sunshine and so stayed another day, just as well we would have missed the 50th anniversary of the Bakewell Carnival.

	Having negotiated the muddy paths across Haddon Fields, we take “Intake Lane” down to the A6 Haddon road into Bakewell. Lunch is had on a bench overlooking the River Wye, whilst we eat we are entertained by the ducks rafting along on the fast flowing water. We soon Finish lunch and head into the Town and on to the Monsail Trail

The Town is filling up visitors  trying to park as we walk along the Monsal Trail, we had decided not to use the bikes in case of rain, which happens an hour later on our return back. We shelter under a bridge before going into the Town to watch the Carnival pass by.

After watching the last of the trailers towed by tractors, 4 x 4’s and the odd lorry, head back to the park, we head off back to the site having walked 14 miles. The evening was wonderful and we put the sun loungers to much needed use. Monsal trail link: http://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/ For part 2 click link: http://vantrips2012part2.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/marazion-.html