We left Norwich just after 11am on Friday, and despite a blockage on the A146 that we avoided by driving down country lanes, we arrived at the Ferini Gallery in Lowestoft in good time for the Arts and Eats session. Ian Fosten eventually put in an appearance, and Dot and I helped with some food-and-furniture-fetching from his house, taking the opportunity to say hello to his wife Bridget. Lovely weather: quite warm in a cold sort of way.
The session went well. I gave Lynn Mummery a bit of encouragement, and Ian didn’t need any, providing about as many poems as Lynn and myself put together. Good response generally. Unfortunately Dot and I had to rush away at the end to get on the road to Nottingham – a four-hour journey. That went reasonably well, largely because Dave E warned us of a huge delay on the M1. As a result we went up the A1 and into Nottingham from the east.
Evening meal with Evetts at an Italian restaurant in Stapleford. Julia coping with ankle injury very well. Left for Buxton after leisurely breakfast on Saturday, and after going wrong in Derby got on to the right road and went via the A38 to the A6. On Dave’s advice stopped at Monsal Head for a snack and a look at the stunning view (as advertised). As we approached Buxton we could see snow on the hills, and in town there was even snow on the streets. Went badly wrong on entering town (after getting petrol at Morrisons) and spent some time orienting ourselves before finding the hotel. Excellent meal after stroll into town to find station.
On Saturday we climbed through Buxton Country Park to Grin Low. Lots of snow at the top. Misty outlook: very atmospheric. On return had guided tour of Poole’s Cavern, which was impressive. Then back to the hotel to change (walk = just under five miles) and then drive to see Gareth near Belper. Drive not much fun – well over an hour, or more than an hour longer than Adrian’s estimate of 10 minutes. Lovely to see Gareth, Nicky, Grace and Max. House very impressive. Easier drive back. Another superb meal in hotel. Bad night, though.
Much nicer day on Monday: sunny and still. Through lack of adequate prep, drove to Whaley Bridge then back along Taxal Ridge, stopping at Windgather Rocks, which we climbed on to. Then down to Goyt Valley, from where we walked up past Errwood Hall ruins to Foxley Edge (diversion from main route). Afterwards drove along Goyt Valley – icy roads – and up to near Cat and Fiddle, then back to hotel, where we relaxed in room awaiting arrival of Barbara.
She arrived about 30 minutes late after missing her intended connection at Stockport. Another good meal at the hotel ensued, and I collapsed afterwards and went to sleep fully clothed, then again in pyjamas. Had quite a good night this time, and enjoyed another full English in the company of the waitress who recognised us from previous years. Left for Ilkley shortly before 11am: first part of journey was horrendous, along the A6 with numerous delays until we hit the M60 after a couple of attempts. Then much better, though even on the motorway the ubiquitous speed cameras made life difficult (long stretches where lights were being upgraded and a speed limit of 50 was enforced by average speed cameras).
Then another slow stretch round the outskirts of Bradford and along the A65 to Ilkley, which is a very pleasant town and a vast improvement on anything we had encountered on the journey. Arrived about 1pm and had lunch in a lovely little cafe run by an Italian. Then walked up to Information centre and dropped in at a clothes shop where I bought laces for my shoes and some thermal underwear. Eventually dropped Barbara and Dot off at school just after 3pm, which left me two and a half hours in which to amuse myself.
Started by going up to the cow and calf rocks and climbing up them (well, not the calf, obviously). Bitterly cold, so didn’t hang about, except to take a few photos. Then drove further up into the moor before returning to town. Called in at museum that I had looked up on the web, but it was half closed – the art gallery half – which was disappointing. Returned to original cafe and had a cup of tea and a muffin, then read a while before getting some fuel and returning to the school. I was on time, but Dot and Barbara did not emerge until 30 minutes later, by which time I was getting a mite chilly.
Set off for home about 6.30pm, and again the first part of the 230-mile journey was tiresome – very slow and visibility bad because of our faulty lights. After we hit the A1, however it was very straightforward: we drove all the way down to Huntingdon and then down the A14 as far as the Cambridge services, where we got a little food and Dot took over the driving. Home without further incidents. Weather conditions good, though cold.
Cold again today. I made a small attempt at catching up, then had to go out to North Walsham for a Paston session in the library, Discovered the librarian, Sue Lawrence, was the daughter of Mrs Hicks, mayor of Little London in my EDP column and a good friend of Mrs Cousens. She seemed pleased to see me. Jo and Rob also there for another researching local history session with Richard Hoggett. Refuelled the car in Norwich afterwards, refilled the screenwashers and watched a bit of TV. Now it’s started to snow, and more is forecast.