0500 I have a better night’s sleep. Though I get the occasional shooting pain in my lower back. Maybe I’ve slept funny. I listen to music for a while. Other than the back twinge I’m not sore or stiff from yesterday.
0600 I make my morning coffee and plan as usual.
0630 I do some research on bus routes to get to some of the villages around Buxton. The Derbyshire website has a really useful public transport map and links to timetables. I can buy a Derbyshire Wayfarer which gives me unlimited travel for a day. Sounds like a good idea. I consult the timetables and meticulously plan a perfect itinerary that will get me to 4 different villages/towns.
0700 It’s time for breakfast. I go light as there’s no need for a big meal today. There are other people in the restaurant for a change.
0837 I get to bus stop Market A after getting my ticket from the train station. The timetable I downloaded this morning tells me that the number 65 bus will leave here at 0855. The sign at the bus stop appears to confirm this. I wait. It’s not too cold. The sky is overcast but I see one brief glimpse of blue. I see a number 65 bus approach but it stops earlier than me. Maybe the driver has a rest stop? At 0855 the bus drives off and straight past me. What?
Having missed that bus I hastily make a new plan. Unfortunately, I’ve missed my opportunity to visit all 4 places and must settle on only 2 now. As I make my way to the next bus stop I pass bus stop Market C where the bus had paused. The sign there also says the 65 bus. WTF? No matter, I have a new plan now.
0936 I get on the bus to Derby.
1009 I get off at Ashford-in-the-Water. I have an hour to explore. I wander around the village. It’s small and pretty. An hour is just long enough.
1107 I get on the next bus to continue to Bakewell.
1116 I arrive at Bakewell. It’s a pretty town and, among other things, known for the famous Bakewell Pudding/Tart. I stroll around. I find the first bakery that sells Bakewell Tarts (I later discover there are many) and purchase one along with a flapjack for later. Delicious!
1200 I wander into a small shop called Birdsong. They have some lovely printed items that catch my eye, partly because of the German writing. The lady in the shop tells me about them. She tells me about the German company that makes them. When I mention my trip to Munich at Christmas she insists on writing down the name of a nice restaurant they know of. She tells me to be prepared for the cold. But also, that the people of Bavaria are more hospitable than the northerners. She says I’ll love it there. It was a lovely exchange and I leave with a smile and some nice (secret) purchases.
1220 I’m ready for some lunch. I find a shop selling different pasties. I settle on steak and Stilton and walk to the river to sit and enjoy it. After my lunch I wander more, taking photos and exploring shops. I feel very relaxed. Now I’m glad my original plan didn’t work out. This was much more calming. Just the right amount of time.
1400 I get the bus back to Buxton. Because the sun is setting at around 1630 at the moment, mid afternoon here feels like late afternoon back home.
1440 I arrive back at Buxton. The weather is clearing and there are patches of blue. I wander around the town and find some more parks.
1500 I’m back in the hotel. Enough walking for one day. I sit down to work on my blog.
1800 Dinner in the restaurant. Alone again, not that I mind. Pressing of ham hock (delicious) and beetroot risotto (not so delicious).
1852 It’s starting to get gusty. The forecast is for rain tomorrow.
