A brief look at the Peak District

On Saturday we made another early start and headed for the Peak District. We had lunch in Bakewell which was incredibly crowded and we would have loved time to browse and take photos but it was time to head for Chatsworth House. This was so so worth it. it was uses in pride and prejudice and more recently in filming the Duchess...the story of one of the previous and controversial Dushesses of Devonshire. The estate is open for walking and we had again another magical day weather wise so it was a gorgeous setting. the trees are starting to drop their autumn leaves so it made for some great photography. I knew nothing of the Devonshires and was really pleased I bought the guide book here as the history of the place and the people is really interesting. The first Duke gained the title when he chose the 'right' side in what is known as the Glorious Revolution when James II who was catholic was replaced by German William and Mary (I can't remember if Mary was also German) who both had claims to the English throne. Subsequently we have been to Hampton Court and went through Williams's rooms there and learnt alot more about him...but that is another story. The Gardens at Chatsworth are gorgeous and both the house and gardens include some spectacular (and some not) works of art. The family of today are still collecting so it is an alive collection. The gardens include some really interesting gravity run water features which we made sure we got out to see before they were switched off at 5.30.

So after a lovely day we headed for the B&B and somewhere for dinner. We wanted to go to the 'illuminations' and fireworks in Matlock Bath but there's was just no where to park so we had to give up and go home which was a real pity. Matlock Bath is a Victorian spa town in the middle of a gorge almost and so the hills rise spectacularly either side. The river Derwent runs through the middle and during the illuminations nooks and crannies are lit and boats are floated through with different themes. The next morning we had a quick walk through Matlock Bath and it was so so cold being in the valley we left pretty quickly and headed for the Crich Tramway museum. Bruce was pretty impressed with this so again...train and tram buffs...talk to him for details. Then the what seemed like an endless search for our last country pub lunch...and we ended up at the Devonshire Arms on the Chatsworth Estate...Very very nice!

So we started the journey to London. Our plan was to arrive at a good time, dump our gear, return the car at Victoria and jump on a train to Hampton Court to visit my friend Rachael who I had lost contact with a found again thanks to facebook. Time started to run away..we found the house Ok and it is Amazing! It is truly everything on the website and absolutely perfect for the three of us. But then then trip to Victoria to drop the car. For some reason the GPS wouldn't find the address...operator error I'm sure (me) 'cause I've always worked it on post code and we had the wrong postcode...but we found and we're still married!! After ringing Rachael and Ralph we decided we were too late and rescheduled, sober enjoyed a wee explore and some trains and and a dinner near Leicester Square.