Buxton Pavilion Gardens 1953 and Today.

We married at St John's, Beeston and spent a short honeymoon at the Alyson Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire. That was in 1953. In those days there were many weddings just before the end of the tax year as it gave the husband a good rebate due to his new married status. It was a dull day followed by a sunny Sunday. The hotel was close to the Pavilion Gardens and we spent a little time there walking the footpaths. We did not have a car in those days. We often go to Buxton as we visit relatives and take holidays in Derbyshire. The gardens have now been restored to their former Victorian glory. Not only that but a great deal goes on there — antique and book fairs, Veteran car, and motor bike displays and many other things. The Opera House still continues with a variety of shows and plays, the swimming baths still operate as do the cafes and restaurant. But it is the gardens that fascinate us — how I wish they had such equipment for children when our kids were young! Incredible! And of course, the little train continues to delight its passengers as it winds its way around the park. I'm pretty sure the little waterfall is still the same one as on our honeymoon photographs. The little hotel we stayed at has changed hands a few times. It was rather amusing to find we were the only young people staying there. It seemed more like a retirement home for genteel ladies. In fact, when we were out walking, we passed close to an elderly pair of ladies and we heard one say heard one say to the other (elderly people do tend to speak with raised voices) “Look there's our young couple from the hotel.” I really liked the 'our' reference. Some years later it became a retirement home, but now I think it is a hotel again. Buxton may have super-markets and an indoor shopping mall, but it is still essentially the same as when we were on our honey-moon. The gardens, with the expensive Victorian uplift, are far better though. Sad about the bowling green loss, but with so much fun for the children, plus the renovated lake, the building and new bandstand far outweighs the loss. I assume it must have lost favour or surely it would have been kept. We always find it a great place to visit and often combine it with a walk along the Goyt Valley, which is just above Buxton. The poor quality of the black and white photographs is because they are enlarged and photographed copies of small snaps taken with a box camera 58 years ago.

Chatsworth — Country Park, Family Playground!

Chatsworth — Country Park, Family Playground!

We arrived at Chatsworth on Saturday to find the car parks already filling up and whole families teaming excitedly out of their vehicles. I asked one of the stewards if something was ‘on’ that weekend. He said no, it was just the fine weather and that they expected far more to arrive. Wonderful, I thought.

Here is a ‘playground’ safe for children to run and play. In fact there is a Farmyard with animals and children’s adventure play area, which is very popular.

There are some people who are against aristocracy and would like the state to take over their estates. But Chatsworth is an example of a well-run estate that benefits millions of people. My mum-in-law (she died ten years ago) loved to be taken around Chatsworth’s remarkable garden in a borrowed wheelchair. We enjoy visits there every year, mostly to walk in the extensive grounds but also to have a light meal at one of the eating places around the huge estate (especially the farm shop café or the garden centre café. And not forgetting the old stables). Chatsworth is a place for peace and tranquillity as well as being a remarkable house, a huge park and a playground for all complete with deer, river and acres of woods and grassland. (Photographs taken while walking through the Woods.)

Visit my Wrinkly Writers for my latest post — revisiting Nottingham University Park

Chatsworth Park, Derbyshire and Curbar Edge

We have been on a holiday to Derbyshire. We enjoy walking the footpaths along dales, by rivers, in woods and in gardens — such as that of Chatsworth (the country house of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire), which is open to the public — house, garden and immense estate.
There are miles of footpaths that take you all over the estate, including by the river and house, the Children's Farm area, up to the Hunting Tower (where, years ago, the ladies watched their men on horseback hunting stags), through the huge woodland areas, over farmland where deer graze with sheep and cattle, through the estate village of Edensor (where you can stop for an excellent light lunch or cream tea) — on the level or up and down hills.
The house itself is well worth a visit but we were there just for exercise. See photos of the views while on a short walk opposite the superb house.
There is accommodation available to rent for holidays too.
There is a well-known Chatworth Farm Shop (cafe there too) and a large Garden Centre.
Chatsworth Garden Centre has a wonderful cafe. Not only is the food excellent but there are tables outside when you can enjoy the magnificent flowers — beautiful scents, rich colours and an utterly delightful soul-enriching experience affecting every one of the human senses. Even wild birds entertain with song and funny antics!
Here is a photo taken from where we were sitting.
What ever people say about so much land and property in the hands of few people (I do believe the Duke has inherited six estates) it is wonderful to have this country park kept in such excellent condition for all to enjoy. I hate to think what it would be like if became 'nationalised'!
We also managed a walk along Curbar Edge — wonderful views across the valley with Chatsworth looking like a tiny dolls house!

A Walk Around Linacre Reservoir — Derbyshire

We have been away on a caravan holiday. Gentle walks with beautiful scenery. Derbyshire is a great county with considerable history too. Linacre Reservoir is connected with Chesterfield's industrial past. It is now a beauty spot with much wild life in woods and on the water. A true delight. I'll let the photographs tell the story.

Cromford Canal — a walk in Derbyshire

A walk along Cromford Canal.

Winter has gone and spring has arrived but it is obvious that everything is behind within the natural world. Even so on our short break in Derbyshire (celebrating out 57th wedding anniversary) we found great delight in taking short walks, one of which was by the Cromford Canal.
Cromford is well known for its cotton manufacturing history (Sir Richard Arkwright) and indeed a mill museum is there to inform interested visitors. Mill buildings stand as strong-looking as ever, as indeed are the large Masson mills on the nearby River Derwent (along with the interesting museum there is also a retail outlet too). The original Masson mill water turbines still operate and generate electricity.
Close by is Sir Richard Arkwright’s mansion, Willersly Castle – now a Christian-based hotel open to all.
At the start of our walk we met a photographer waiting to snap a friendly vole. I admire these photographers who wait many hours to get their pictures. We did not see a great deal of water life, certainly not as much as we usually do but maybe they were further away. Even so, it was a pleasant walk. A train rushing on the lines below the canal, and the stink of a nearby sewage disposal works, did little to disturb our tranquil mood.

(The ducks in the photograph are out of focus but I love the 'Impressionist' feel about the picture)

Visit my Wrinkly Writers
See (and buy?) my USA books
Visit my author blogspot
Ask a question about life in wartime Britain
See (and buy?) my UK books
My space on My Space
Take a look (and buy?) my ebook When Angels Lie

Rainbows over Derbyshire

November when it's raining is not a particularly good time to be walking in Derbyshire, but WOW what rainbows we managed to capture. I guess when things are dark and drab, looking for a rainbow is not a bad thing to do.
Last Saturday in Ulverston a trail of little lights (candles in jars covered with sculptured pots) made its way through woods at the Gill, Ulverston. SPOOKY! Lovely for the kids on Halloween. But we were off to Derbyshire, hoping for a bit of walking. We dodged a few showers in Chatsworth woods but that was the only walk we managed during our short birthday break. But visiting Cromford near Matlock, magnificent rainbows appeared stretched over the valley in full half-circles.
There is something about a rainbow that gladdens the heart...
As the old hymn goes —
'I trace a rainbow through the rain
and find the promise is not vane
that life shall endless be...

You don't have to be particularly religious to see beauty in nature, or to appreciate the imagery of light cutting through the darkness. Dark clouds will pass - somewhere the sun is shining. When I feel down, I find rainbows uplifting.

A Watery Break In Derbyshire!

We have just returned from an eight day break in Derbyshire. We had rain most of the time but clear spells when we managed some walking — the woods at Chatsworth (always a delight), the path in Dovedale (heavenly riches) , the nature reserve at Carsington Reservoir (a perfect haven), and the last section of the Tissington Trail (easy walking and a joy for cyclists), We visited my sister and took her to the lovely nature reserve at Attenborough (about a mile from where we lived many years ago — mentioned in my book of childhood memories, When Phones Were Immobile and Lived in red Boxes). And we visited my husband's sister for tea (at Matlock), and joined both his sisters plus husbands for a meal at the Grouse and Claret at Rowsley.
We came across a fantastic log in Dovedale, 'chissled' by nature, which reminded me of a poem I wrote recently. I decided to put it here with the photo of the log plus one of me with my sister. Although we are not a bit alike, one might say that both my sister and I have been similarly sculptured!

Nature’s Sculpture
By Gladys Hobson

Like twisted log tossed on the beach
each groove and knot
forming nature’s sculpture.
If mind is open it can reach
a story true
of life and death —
crafted in lines bold and free
in hollows and grooves
and swirls and knots:
a distorted body —
a soul tormented?

Or is the story nature tells
far from what my eyes do see?
For beauty lies within the heart
and sings a different melody,
Those crafted grooves
that make me shudder
were earned by life’s experience.
Each tells a story of its own
yet builds into a perfect whole.

Again I look into the mirror
unafraid of what I see;
for nature’s sculpture so defined
is beauty of a different kind.
I am who I am —
yes, this is me.

Derbyshire — walking along the old railway

Derbyshire has many miles of old railway tracks, which are now wonderful places to walk and to cycle on. During the last week we walked along the Monsel trail. It takes you on a magical trip through Monseldale — a wooded valley with steep rocky sides climbing high into the sky, and with a sparkling river flowing below. Only a few stone-built houses can be seen, plus the magnificent Caldwell Mill, which has been converted to tasteful accommodation. (I wonder what those 19c mill workers would have thought of it?) The mill is built on a site that once produced oil from peppermint, plus other herb products. The wild flowers this year are the best we have ever seen — a delight to the senses. Bridges and tunnels are breathtaking features of this walk as the engineering skills involved and the graceful lines truly excite the imagination.