Matlock Bath, Stanton Moor & Carsington Water - 20th May ‘22

So not such a nice weather day today. The rain kept off until about 3pm and then lots of heavy showers. Didn’t stop a great day though.

Alarm woke me up at about 8.30. Got to say, Brunnehilda’s bed is a treat so I certainly sleep well. Although one thing I’ve noticed, my side of the mattress has dropped a lot compared to Kim’s side - I can’t think why?!? So I always start on Kim’s side and straight away start sliding over to mine. No time to breakfast just washed, shaved, fed dogs and in the car for 9.15. In my haste to get out, I managed to forget the dogs leads - so a quick search on Volvo’s new and very good Google system and I was at a local pet shop buying a new one en route. 

The rush to get out was to drive over to Matlock Bath to be at the New Bath Hotel outdoor pool for a 10am booked session. Oh my goodness, it was magnificent. No chlorine, continually replenished spring water at a refreshing 19 degrees. I overheard a local say that 11 up and downs was 1/2 mile so that’s what I did. Started off by upsetting the locals - I initially went into the fast lane which my modest breast stroke certainly wasn’t. I shifted and all was right with the world. I felt invigorated after 45 mins and had that lovely inner warmth that only comes after you’ve had a spell immersed in a very cold liquid.

Mandy (family friend from West Haddon) is a member and was the reason I even knew the place existed. So after my swim session I met up with her at the pool as she had very kindly offered to show me a nice dog walk. I was a bit worried about walking my two crazy collies with her cute little dog (Ethel) but she was fantastic and totally ignored my two. She may be little in size but she’s got a big character - that’s Ethel not Mandy!

We walked for an hour or so on Stanton Moor. What a great place and well selected by Mandy as the dogs could be off the lead and free to run and explore. The place is so atmospheric as well - the Druid stones, the weathered rocks and the fabulous views. Definitely another one to come back to.

By this time we’d worked up a thirst so Mandy introduced me to the locals at her local - The Boat Inn at Cromford. Lovely place and super friendly folks. Even after I’d insulted her friend Bjorn by assuming he was a Swede. He was Norwegian which is like calling someone from Glasgow English!

I lost track of time a bit, but I think it was about 3 when I left Mandy and Cromford. Just as the rain was starting to kick in. 

Tilly was still up for more walking so when I saw a sign for Carsington Water on my way home, I made a detour and parked up. We only walked for about 45 mins but in that time we had sun, heat, drizzle, downpour and blimin cold! Britain in May eh?

I went to the Anglers Rest at Millers Dale for tea. I had to wait until 6 for them to start serving food so the dogs and I sheltered under an umbrella by the river and watched the ducks trying to keep dry out the rain! Got to say though the grub was great - pork loins with pepper and mushroom sauce. I shared it with the dogs. Well, when I say shared, they had a few chips and some of the less juicy bits of the pork loin!

Back to Brunnehilda for a quiet night in with Ken Burns and Cadburys Fruit and Nut!! Oh, and Question Time on iPlayer. Hopefully my neighbours were far enough away not to hear me shouting at a couple of the morons they had on the panel!

It’s been such a nice day spending time with Mandy and Ethel. Mandy’s been through a tough 3 or 4 years and seeing her positive approach to everything she does is so inspirational. So much for me to learn from her.

Back to The Derbyshire Dales - 19th May ‘22

Much like Mr Nelson, Brunnehilda and I are”on the road again!” But unlike Willie, I’m not “going to places I’ve never been”! Indeed, for the first time in the 3 years of travelling with Brunnehilda, I’m off to the same site twice in a row.

The trip started well. I got to the Welton Lodge Farm at the planned 10 am and was on the road in a record 35 mins. That sense of excitement that I had at this stage of a Brunnehilda trip when I was with my beloved travelling companion is now totally missing. At best, it’s a sort of resigned process following - like getting ready to go to the dentist!

I was pleased with myself though as I did some excellent and accurate backing dropping Brunnehilda straight onto the towing ball without the need for motor moving. Checking brake lights (I wedge the brake pedal on while I run to the back of Brunnehilda and check) and positioning the mirrors are more challenging without my co-pilot but that didn’t stop me being on the motorway by 10.45.

A crap journey though after an efficient beginning. Firstly the service stations in the M1 are appallingly bad for caravans. Now in relation to Ukraine and the Cost of Living Crisis, I appreciate this is not a big deal but having to go into 3 service stations before you can find one you can stop at is a tad annoying. The first one required me to have reversing skills that I just don’t possess (I wish I did but I just don’t!) and the second one was crammed full of HGVs. The all day breakfast at Tibshelf was definitely not worth the wait!

Back on the road and things continued in this theme - I took a wrong turning off the motorway, I went round a roundabout a couple of times in Chesterfield and then a diversion outside Baslow directed me into the countryside onto B roads and then just abandoned me there as the diversion signs seemed to run out! I finally arrived at Topley Head Farm at 2pm.

The set up took longer this time - I don’t know why. There is just one other van with me but I still let the dogs have the run of the field while I went through the process. I Backed onto the pitch but then had to use the motor-mover as I needed to raise her up onto a ramp on one side. The site is feels very “agricultural” … lambs and sheep in the field, a pungent cow muck smell coming from the adjoining farmyard and an infestation of flies. They’re ok though, they’re not like the annoying midges as they don’t bite you. It’s just they’re annoying wee things and you can’t help thinking where they’ve been when they’re in you’re hair and crawling over your face!

Off for a walk at 4pm.  I fancied walking out the back of the farm and trying to find a circular route down to the Monsal Trail. Well I find it but I have to say the first half of the walk was far from enjoyable!! The footpaths in the Dales are not well marked, the stiles can be challenging and most require collies to be thrown over, the sheep necessitate a lot of lead work with the dogs, the bullocks are very “lively” and over friendly and the walk down into Topley Pike was a little too steep and slippery for my taste! Luckily I had brought the walking stick with me. I got totally lost at one stage. Thankfully a kind farmer showed me a non footpathed short cut. Although this was the one that got us facing off the bullocks.

Once we crossed the A6 we could follow the beautiful River Wye for a mile or so. The dogs, especially Ben, couldn’t keep out of the cooling waters. We finally arrived in familiar territory from my walk in March. We had a wee break by the river in front of some handsome cottages and then started the hike over the Monsal Trail and then up the Pennine Bridleway back up to the A6 and onto the farm. 

In all about 2 hours. Kim would have bloody hated it. She hated the unknown element of walking “blind” and the bullocks would have been the icing on the cake. Well I said I wanted to do things that we wouldn’t have done - well this walk certainly fitted the bill. 

Back to Brunnehilda for a beer, a chat with my neighbours, WhatsApp calls with Thom and Bobby, a cup of tea and an episode of Ken Burns Civil War. The couple (and their Bulgarian Sheep Dog - it’s bloody huge!) seem nice. Another 60 (ish) couple though enjoying time together which sets off another bout of “poorme” negative reflection from yours truly- arghhhh!

I waited too long before going out. The pubs in Tideswell had stopped serving at 8 so I went to a chippy to buy some rather average chips, Luke warm gravy and a Yorkshire Fishcake! Turns out a Yorkshire Fishcake is pretty much a fish cake! So the food was not at all pleasant but eating it watching the glorious sunset and the football on Sky Go was a pleasant way to finish the day.

More tea, Ken Burns and Cadbury’s chocolate before heading to bed to write the blog. The weather has been bloody marvellous today. I think that might change tomorrow?

A Quick Escape Home and a Decision - 30th March ‘22

Well the weather eventually turned during the night. I woke to rain on Brunnehilda’s roof and the steady hum of the electric heater doing it’s best to warm us up.

Up and out in double quick time. No breakfast, no shave, no shower and only a cursory wash! Thankfully there is no one to smell me - except the dogs and they don’t seem to mind!! Mind you, when you consider they spend most of their life with their nose up another dogs bum, I would have been particularly offended if they had given me and my odour a wide berth!?

It took me about an hour to get packed up, fluids away (yuk!), electric off, stays up, locks off and car hitched up. I finally found the farmer at home to give him the requisite £30 and thanked him for his hospitality.

I drew out onto the A6 at about 10.15. Sat nav took me right through the middle of a busy Chesterfield but apart from that it was all good. The sleet at the start of my journey soon abated and give way to good old fashioned British drizzle! I parked up with the HGVs at Tibshelf services on the M1. For a lot of my boyhood I wanted to be a lorry driver when I “grew up” so I must admit I quite like being amongst all those big machines and yellow jacketed men!

A Plant burger and toffee late from McDonalds saw me back on the road with a full stomach. I arrived back at the farm at about 1pm. For some reason, it took me ages to un-hitch the van? It was as if the ball was sticking? Finally released it as my patience was starting to fail! I “tucked” in Brunnehilda in her spot and left her for a bit of well deserved rest.

So, what of my Teutonic Valkyrie’s future? Lovers of bullet point lists are going to overdose now … firstly my rating of the site and then, after following my old mate Rusty’s advice, I did a pros and cons list for keeping Brunnehilda. Your welcome …

Topley Head Farm:
Pros: 

1) Great 4G, 

2) Lots of space, 

3) Just Off A6 but quiet

4) Walks from site

5) Great views

Cons:

1) No waste recycling

2) Unnecessary Entrance gate

Definitely be back - one of my faves.

Brunnehilda:

Pros:

1) Easy get away when I want to escape

2) Family can use / I can take boys away

3) Many nice memories of time with Kim

4) She’s a perfect size and has everything I need

Cons:

1) Cost - £1400 / year without a wheel turning

2) Prep and pack up are no fun on your own

3) So much Kim included, it brings back the feelings of loss very easily and regularly

4) Eating and drinking out is no fun on your own

Number 4 is nothing to do with Brunnehilda it’s just what it is and may get better with time. Number 3 could be minimised if I …

- bring the dogs with me

- avoid places we’ve been to as a couple

- avoid places where she loved and have lots of middle aged empty nest couples (like market towns, beach walks, coffee shops)

- do stuff that she wouldn’t have enjoyed - long hill walks, risky sh*t, kayaking etc

So, I’ve lost one woman I loved in the last year, I don’t see any reason why I should give up another female I love. 

I’m going to keep Brunnehilda for another year and see how much I end up using her.

Castleton and Sheldon Walks - 29th March ‘22

With cold and rain at home, Derbyshire did me proud and produced a glorious sunny morning with a pleasant afternoon. 

And what a splendid day it was. I hadn’t realised how beautiful and accessible this part of the world is - I’m definitely coming back!

I was up and washed soon after 9am. Breakfast was bagels and tea. Not the famous Kimbo Brunnehilda Omelette but it fulfilled the need of a full stomach to start a busy day. I think I better point out … Its not that I am not capable of cooking an omelette it’s that I suspect Mrs Michelangelo was handy with a paint brush but she didn’t bother to try and paint a masterpiece? Once you’ve tasted the best why bother with the rest!?

I picked out a nice drive to Castleton. Ignoring the sat navs’ suggested route in preference to a slow and pretty one. I had spent sometime searching for a walk on line with not a lot of success so I thought I would just head for Castleton.

I arrived at about 11.15am. They is a nice big car park with Visitors Welcome Centre on the edge of the village. I strolled confidently into said centre and asked for a recommendation for a longish walk that dogs could be off the lead. The lady, who clearly forgot temporarily that her primary job was to “welcome” was a bit short with me. She thrust a £2.80 guide in my hand and said there were no walks where dogs could be let off the lead as there was a lot of stock in the fields. Oh sure I said, they’ll be on the lead when sheep were around. It’s not just the animals she snorted. It’s the nesting birds too. I must have looked quizzical so she added that they nest in the grass! My mind was screaming well any flippin bird that nests on the ground doesn’t really have the necessary evolutionary requirements to make it through with or without Ben and Tilly’s help! I didn’t - I paid the £2.80 and told her my dogs would be firmly shackled at all times. I’ve got to say, the locals have all been lovely - apart from her! A bit ironic given her welcoming role?!

I bought a load of drinks and snacks adding up as I went to make sure I got the necessary 4 x £1 coins for the car park - “A” Level maths not wasted after all?!

The 5 mile walk took about 2.5 hours and was bloody magnificent. I soon stripped down to my tea shirt for the long haul up the hill. There was virtually no sheep in the fields but in deference to the birds and twitchers (not the welcome lady) I kept them on the lead for most of the first half of the walk. They were off the lead for most of the down ward half. 2 pulling collies are good for going up hill but not so advantageous going down hill!! 

Got to say … there was no problem at all with sheep or birds!! The map shows were we went - it was all wonderful.

The dogs loved it and so did I. Not many folks around but greeted all with a smile and a typical British comment on the weather. 

Arrived back at the car back at about 1.45. I had a quick but disappointing walk around the village. I was looking for a pub or coffee shop where I could drink outside with the dogs. I didn’t find one! My plan at this stage was to head back to Brunnehilda for a cuppa. I decided to go via Bakewell to buy some puddings for friends and family at home.

Bakewell was busy and seemed to be completely full of 60 something couples chatting happily browsing the shops and drinking coffee. This used to be very much my/our sort of place but somewhere I now avoid like the plague. So I illegally parked flew into the Original Bakewell Pudding shop, bought 4 puddings, parted with £32 and left!

I went the pretty way home going through a lovely little village called Sheldon. On my way out I was passing a lay-by with a couple of footpath signs. I Wasn’t planning to but something made me pull over and I suddenly found myself parked up and heading out into the beautiful Derbyshire Dales with my 2 delighted companions. 

And what a walk. I didn’t meet a soul. Went over some very steep stiles (the dogs needed throwing over!), went up a very very steep hill, only passed through one field with sheep in and came out at the wonderfully atmospheric Magpie Lead Mine.

What a place? I think I must have inherited some of my fathers love of industrial archeology, so I found this 300 year old deserted Lead mine such a fun place to poke around. There was lots of useful information dotted around the site to answer all my questions without referring to Google! Talking of this … everywhere around here has great 4G connectivity. It must be because it’s so high up??

Home to Brunnehilda and I’m now on my own - the other van has gone! I tried to find the farmer to pay him but he must have been out farming!? Another episode of Ken Burns’ Civil War and then off out to Buxton.

What a lovely place. Kim and I had never stopped so I hadn’t appreciated that it was a proper old fashioned spa town - a la Leamington, Bath and Harrogate! Only problem was that here again the town was infested with happy couples! I had planned to sit in at the Simply Thai Restaurant. I didn’t. Like all the other restaurants it was full of middle aged couples enjoying their evening meal. I ordered a take away and left them to it.

The takeaway was more than adequate and despatched of with the speed of a man who had walked 10 miles over the dales after only consuming a sausage roll and packet of Salt and vinegar since breakfast!

More Ken Burns, chats with the family on WhatsApp and then off to bed. The weather is due to turn tomorrow.

So, what about the big decision? By 5 o’clock I had convinced myself that Brunnehilda was here to stay. Doing stuff that Kim wouldn’t have done - all that hill walking and impromptu forays into the unknown countryside were not her cup of tea - seemed to work best. Visiting pretty wee towns with nice shops and lots of coffee shops and restaurants to peruse is not so good! And, I am beginning to realise I am never going to enjoy my own company for dinner! I’m not sure I can blame Brunnehilda for this or for that fact that 60 something couples (ones I don’t know that is) seem to send me in a downward spiral of sadness, envy and then self pity. Oh well, at least I know what to avoid.

One funny and related story. As I sat on a bench waiting for my takeaway a couple of middle aged ladies approached me and asked me where the cinema was. I explained I wasn’t a local and didn’t know. She seemed quite surprised! As they were walking away, I realised why … I looked like exactly like one of those old men (locals) that sit alone on benches and watch the world go by!! 

The fairly miserable evening couldn’t take away from the fact that I’d had a bloody wonderful day.