Bulls Head car park 17/7/22
First a drive to Bakewell to park up and get on the bikes to do the Monsal Trail. We didn’t cycle all of it, but we did go through the three dark tunnels (both ways!) On return to the old Bakewell station car park we moved Bertie to a roadside parking and walk into town. A wander round the shops produced a Hunter’s pie and a Bakewell Tart. Picnic lunch was taken on a bench by the river.
We arrived at the Bull’s Head in Monyash to find it very busy, lots of bikers. There wasn’t really a convenient space in the car park for Bertie, so we just parked up temporarily and set off for a ‘short stroll by the river Lathkill’. We that turned out to be a very energetic 6 mile scramble over rocks and up cliffs without ever seeing a drop of water. Very tiring, but a good walk nonetheless.
We had our evening meal in the pub garden. By then there was more room in the car park, so I moved Bertie to a quieter corner where we spent the night.
Highlow Farm 16/7/22
On our way here we stopped off in Youlegrave and did circular walk that finished going along Lathkill dale by the river.
The afternoon was spent just chilling out under the shade of Bertie’s awning looking at the view.
Tideslow Farm 14/7/22
Another day, another site. But before we left Tissington we cycled the 4 miles or so into Ashbourne and back. At Ashbourne we locked the bikes to some railings and had a walk around the shops and a market.
We arrived at the this site in time for lunch. The site is tucked away up a bumpy lane and into a wooded copse. The facilities are very basic, but it’s got some great views. To explore the area we went on a short walk of about 3 miles from the site along past some old mine working to the nearest hamlet of Little Hadlow and back.
15/7/22
An energetic day today. First we drove to an NT car park near Mam Tor. Then we climbed Mam Tor and continued on a walk passed Hollins Cross and down into Castleton. From there the path led past the various caverns (Blue John cavern, Treak cavern, Speedwell cavern, etc). The combination of the hot day and the steep climbs meant we were exhausted. After walking we drove into Castleton to get an ice cream and some milk, but it was very busy with lots of school parties.
Back to Tideslow farm for a rest and cool down.
Tissington Motorhome and Caravan site 13/7/22
We have moved site. On the way we did a 6 mile walk from Milldale to Dovedale and back. The lovely walk goes alongside the river Dove. At the Milldale end it was fairly quiet, but busier at the Dovedale end. On arrival back at Milldale we relaxed with an ice cream even though it was nearly lunchtime.
After we had setup at the new site it was back on the bikes again for another 10+ miles along a different part of the Tissington Trail.
A walk around the village in the cool of the evening rounded off an energetic day.
Whitehouse Farm 11/7/22
This wasn’t our first choice of site in the area, but we are glad because it’s really good. After parking up and lunching we went for a walk to investigate the area. Along the road a bit to a bridge over the Tissington trail, then along the trail for a while and back on a footpath across the fields.
We have our new electric fold-up bikes with us, so we cycled in to Hartington for a look around and buying some cheese and an ice cream. The route back was all uphill so we were glad of the electric assistance!
12/7/22
A 35+ mile cycle ride today! We went to Cromford along a short section of the Tissington trail then along the High Peak Trail. At the Cromford end are two very steep inclines. In it’s working days the carriages were hauled up the inclines on cables by a stationary steam engine. We had to push the bikes, too steep even for the electric!