When we returned from Ireland, we stayed in this wonderful old cottage called Clough Head. It is located in the Peak District, and it is owned by two of the nicest people we ever met, Alec and Helen. They made the cottage so comfortable that it felt like a home away from home. Helen even placed fresh flowers from her garden throughout the cottage. She put some milk in the fridge and baked us some carrot cake!
Chrome Hill is nearby, a limestone reef knoll that has a popular walking trail.
Looking to the right of Chrome Hill
Helen's garden with Chrome Hill in the background
Alec and Helen
Bill helped Alec keep the pellet stove filled.
They had 3 wonderful old hens that I even got to take care of when Alec and Helen left for the weekend.
We enjoyed eggs on toast, compliments of the hens :).
We drove on the "Edge Road" whenever we left the cottage, and we saw some extremely beautiful countryside.
Some families still burn coal in England
We watched a young man repair an old stone fence (practically a lost art).
Hollinsclough is a village very close to the cottage. We spent a short time walking through the village one day.
The walking trail to Chrome Hill begins in Hollinsclough.
One of the first trips we made was to see Les and Jean Calow, Bill's dear cousins.
Jean
Sophia came for a visit while we were there. We met her on a previous trip to England. She keeps in touch with Les and Jean.
Jean
A beautiful rose in the back garden
Les' Irish pipe
Les and Bill
Les, Bill, and Jean
Les explaining the significance of these antiques
Les and Jean arranged for us to see Bill's Auntie Philomena (she was married to Bill's father's twin). She lives in a wonderful senior community. She does so well at age 90! We also met with her daughter Marie and Marie's husband. It was wonderful for me to meet these family members for the first time!
We had a delicious dinner at the facility.
Beautiful Marie
Les and Jean
Marie and her husband
Marie and Les
Philomena and Jean
Auntie Phil's apartment
She has her own iPad :)
Bill and Philomena
We had such a lovely time visiting these two and their family!
Les with one of his grandsons
Two more grandsons
Les and Jean's daughter, Sharon
The time we spent with this wonderful couple and their family was one of the highlights of our trip!
Bill had the wonderful opportunity to meet with individuals who grew up on his street (Deep Lane). One day we met all of them in a pub in Sheffield. I loved hearing their stories and watching as friendships were renewed!
Carol was the one who made all of this happen!
Bill and I went to Haddon Hall which we enjoyed immensely. It is a medieval manor house and has been described as "the most complete and most interesting house of its period. The origins of the hall date to the 11th century. Some additions were added between the 13th and the 17th centuries. this beautiful bouquet of sunflowers greeted us as we entered.
Haddon Hall
Stepping into the chapel
A son who died
Courtyard
The grounds
A very old bridge
The area behind the hall is wild and quite beautiful.
Flowers on the grounds
Bill
One of the tour guides
Some of the original furniture
A beautiful old tapestry
Different workers and individuals signed their names in the glass
Wonderful old doors with rusted hinges
A knot garden
The kitchen
The bridge to Haddon Hall
Haddon Hall in the morning light
We also made a trip to Hathersage. We enjoyed another trip to the church in Hathersage
A fruit and vegetable market
Driving through Hathersage
The small village of Longnor, not too far from our cottage
A phone booth in Longnor
One evening in Longnor we had fish and chips and peas.
We drove through the village of Bakewell several times. Bill stopped to talk with these Bobbies.
Having some fun with Bill
Peter and Vicki Clayton, Bill's cousins who visited us just before we left for England, arranged for family to meet us at Hassop Station near Bakewell. Bill enjoyed this time with more of his cousins. Vicki's niece Maddie came as well.
Andie Clayton talking to her son-in-law.
Liz Clayton is Pete's twin sister. John Clayton is their older brother.
Liz, Pete and John Clayton
It was too short, but we had a nice time together!
It is always good to be with family!
We spent our last day in England touring the Peak District with Pete and Vicki. We started at Chatsworth, a beautiful estate owned by the Duke of York. Bill's cousin Leslie Calow used to do silverwork for the Duke.
These red deer are often seen on the grounds.
Peter took us to a high place called Baslow Edge. We could see many towns and villages from here.
Pete and Bill
Vicki
Bill, Pete and Vicki
We loved this area! The view was so amazing!
Vicki
Bill, Vicki, Pete
Vicki
Coming back down we passed Calver Mill (made into an apartment building; the English call them flats).
They took us to Padley Gorge where Vicki used to hike as a girl.
Water stained with peat
It was such a relaxing walk.
Next they took us to another site near Surprise View.
There were some very interesting rock formations.
We headed north and drove through Winnats Pass into Castleton.
Castleton is one of Bill's favorite villages. He often went there with his family when he was young. Castleton is known for Peveril Castle, a ruined 11th century castle overlooking the village.
Peveril Castle
We toured this wonderful little museum in the center of Castleton.
Castleton is known for its Blue John, a stone that is found in no other part of the world.
We walked in the town and encountered some very quaint scenes.
Vicki, Pete and Bill
A beautiful little stream runs through the village.
Cousins enjoying one another!
We could not have had a nicer end to our stay in England!
Maddie, Pete and Vicki's niece, in her school uniform
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