Posts tagged Buxton

0600 It’s the usual routine. I’ve been awake since just before 0500. I’ve listened to some music and now having my coffee. But this morning I’m also pleased to notice the soft patter of rain. Rain days force me to take things down a gear; to save me from myself. One thing I do need to do is collect my train tickets for tomorrow. I should have used one of the machines in Manchester but I forgot in my rush to catch the train. I haven’t seen many machines in the smaller stations and wonder if I’ll have to go into Manchester today. But I’ll check online and I should be able to pick them up from the Buxton station.

0655 There was a stream of people arriving last night. I think it might be something business related. This morning I hear lots of movement in the rooms around me.

0730 Time for breakfast. As expected, there are more people around today. It is very nice to slow down and take my time. Nowhere I need to be.

0815 I’ve noticed that the time stamp on photos from my camera and my iPhone are different. I check and my camera is set an hour behind. I correct it.

1000 I head down to the lounge. I’m going to sort out some photos to post to Instagram and Twitter. There are sounds of activity in the hotel but not many people to be seen.

1030 It’s started raining seriously. I don’t think it will last for long though.

1130 It’s really pouring down now.

1150 There’s a break in the rain. I head out. It’s only drizzling. Either way, I figure I need to embrace my English heritage and brave it. I go to the station and get my tickets very easily.

1230 I grab some lunch in the centre of Buxton.

1300 I wander around a bit to stretch my legs and see what else is about. Then the rain starts again and I head back to the hotel.

1320 I’m back in the dry of the hotel. I do some planning for the next few days.

1345 I’m feeling like I should be doing something. I keep having to remind myself that I don’t need to be constantly busy.

1400 I spend the afternoon watching TV. It’s fun to see what’s on the local channels.

1800 I head down for my last dinner here.

I feel that I’ve stayed just the right amount of time here. I’m ready to move on and I think I would definitely come back to explore more.

1900 I turn the TV on. The Great Model Railway Challenge is on. That’s my kind of show and I’m in my element.

2000 I need to pack my bags so I can head off early in the morning.

No photos today.

England 2018Ian Barber8 November 2018UK, Buxton Comments

06.11 Ashford-in-the-Water to Bakewell

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.

England 2018Ian Barber7 November 2018UK, Ashford-in-the-Water, Bakewell, Walking, Buxton Comments

04.11 Misty in Buxton

0500 I have slept really well. At about 0500 my brain is getting restless. I hear some sounds in the hotel and I don’t think I’ll be getting back to sleep. But that’s OK. I make a coffee and listen to some music for a while.

0630 I can see light sneaking in between the curtains. I look out and there is a soft misty light. Should I head out? Stupid question! I check the temperature; “feels like 4 degrees”. That sounds like a challenge to me. I hastily get dressed and head out.

0700 I walk towards the pavilion and the park. I think it’s my best bet to get some photos before it’s too light and/or the mist lifts (later I will be proven wrong). I capture some nice soft images.

0800 I head down to breakfast. It’s quiet; only a few people.

0900 The mist is still around. In fact, it appears to be a bit heavier. This is an opportunity too good to ignore. I get better prepared and head out again. This time I will aim for the woods. I remember the way from yesterday. In 15 min I reach the edge of the woods and start my ascent. Soon I have been enveloped in a soft, quiet veil of white mist. This is magical. My path is punctuated by the occasional bird or squirrel. There are people too; mainly walking their dogs. But not too many to spoil the solitude of this walk. I pause from time to time to take in the moment. It’s a beautiful experience. How lucky are these people to be able to enjoy it so easily.

0930 I reach the top end of the woods. This is the open top of the hill and it’s just as magical but in a very different way. Eerie. Like moors. Again there are the occasional people with their dogs. They say to me sadly “not a great day for photos, is it?”. I correct them. It’s an AWESOME day for soft light and haunting images. I’d like to make my way back to Solomon’s Temple but up here it’s very hard to see and my phone is not giving me an accurate location. You could get lost up here. So, I keep the edge of the wood in sight as I explore.

1000 It’s time to start heading back. I make my way to the beginning of the woods and start my descent. I want to take in the experience, so I put my large camera away. I can stroll. The mist hasn’t lifted at all and the way down is just as magical.

1045 I’m back in the town and it’s starting to drizzle. I should make my way back to the hotel. On the way I pass some spent fireworks. I get a sharp memory jolt to my childhood. I think it’s from Australia; back when we had a firework nights.

1100 Time for a coffee. I desperately want to see my photos to check that they’re OK. I had to take my glasses off for much of the time because they kept getting fogged up. For I know, all the pictures could be hopelessly out of focus. But they’re not. I’m very happy with the results (see my Grin Low Wood and At the Top of Grin Low Wood posts to see them).

1220 I thought it would be heavily raining by now, but it’s still OK. I decide not to waste the time and head out again. I have an alternative walk to follow. It starts of well. Then I take a lucky wrong turn which takes me by another wood. But ultimately, it’s a dead and I have to back track. Back on track I head until I reach what appears to be another dead end. This is confusing and I don’t feel like going cross country to sort it out. Clearly, I should have loaded my walking app with local maps first. I will be more prepared next time. I walk back to try to pick up the track further on. It takes me on a nice walk through open fields.

1325 I get a brief glimpse of blue sky. I notice more birds. I had wondered whether I would hear as much birdsong this trip. Luckily they haven’t all migrated quite yet.

1400 I’ve hit another dead end. The walk description is too vague and the map is not detailed enough. I decide to abandon the walk. My feet are killing me anyway. Instead I pack away my camera and have a nice stroll back into town.

1430 I grab a sandwich for a late lunch back at the pavilion before making my way to the hotel.

1500 LONG HOT BATH. Ahh.

1530 I work on my blog and photos.

1800 I head down to dinner. I’m the only one in the restaurant. I have scallops and rump of lamb. It’s starting to rain properly for the first time today.

1815 I hear more fireworks outside.

1900 Another set of fireworks go off. This time right in front of the hotel. But there don’t appear to be that many people watching. The fireworks go on for over 1/2 hour. That’s a lot of fireworks for hardly anyone.

1945 I think it will be another early night tonight.

England 2018Ian Barber5 November 2018UK, Mist, Buxton Comments

At the Top of Grin Low Wood

Barren.

White walls.

Shadowy silhouette of the woods in the distance.

The incredible, peaceful alone-ness only occasionally punctuated with others.

Actually, I’m glad of that.

I could get lost up here.

In either body or mind.

England 2018Ian Barber5 November 2018UK, Buxton, Mist, NatureComment

Grin Low Wood

A soft veil of white mist embraces me as I walk through the woods.

Trees brandished with gold and orange.

Gnarled branches, now naked, reach to the whiteness above.

The sound of their fallen leaves crunching and squelching beneath my feet.

The occasional squirrel darts across my path.

One or two birds swoop or flitter away (that feels a bit like a Snow White moment).

I don’t want this experience to end.

England 2018Ian Barber5 November 2018UK, Mist, Nature, Walking, Forest, BuxtonComment

03.11 Manchester to Buxton

0600 I was in bed by about 0800 last night. No dinner; just bed. The travelling had finally caught up and I desperately needed sleep. The bed in the hotel is so soft and comfortable. Perfect for drifting off. I have a number of deep sleeps until I wake at 0230 fairly alert but definitely groggy. After that I drift on the edge; trying not to think too much to avoid fully waking up.

The hotel is part of the same chain as the hotel I stayed at in Oxford last year. They have great 1 cup coffee filter “bags”, so I make myself a brew while I check up on social media and start to think about the day. This has become part of my holiday routine for the last few trips.

0730 While planning my day I discover news of industrial action on the line when I check train times. It shouldn’t cause too much trouble but limits my choices. I‘ll aim for the 0924 train.

0800 I head down to breakfast. I go for the full English to stoke the fires for the day.

0850 After a quick repack I‘m ready to check out. Luckily the station is only 5 min walk from the hotel. It‘s overcast and slighly breezy. It’s cold but while I‘m walking I‘m easily warm enough in jacket and t-shirt, as expected.

0924 On board the Northern line train to Buxton. Stopping at Stockport, Davenport, Woodsmoor, Hazel Grove, Middlewood (when the countryside begins), Disley, New Mills Newtown, Furness Vale, Whaley Bridge, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Dove Holes and Buxton. There are only a few people on the train. I use the bike carriage for my luggage as they don‘t appear to have luggage racks on the other carriages.

The leaves haven‘t finished falling yet, so there is some colour around. I try to get some photos from the train but the windows are dirty and light is not so good.

1024 We arrive at Buxton. It’s a short walk up the hill to the hotel. A bit more effort than I had expected, but not too bad. I check in early and my room is ready. In fact, they move me to a better room that has a view of the park (the first 3 photos are of the hotel and my view).

1100 I head to the Pavilion where there is an information centre. I want to find details of walks. I buy a couple of maps that should help me to plan my stay here. There is a market in the pavilion selling food and craft. I buy a delicious sultana and cherry treacle slice for a late morning tea.

1230 I have chosen a short walk that should give me some views of the area. I head off. Early into the walk I‘m not happy with my photos; they’re too washed out. I play with the light settings on the camera and change to overcast. Massive improvement; I never realised it would make such a difference.

I‘m following a simple map and written description of the walk. After a while, things look wrong. I retrace my steps and follow what I now think is right. It takes me on a narrow trail through the woods. I like it very much, but I don’t think it’s the right one. Eventually, I meet what must be the trail described in my guide. So many of the trees are golden. I head towards Solomon‘s Temple, not having any idea what it is. Then I see this small tower at the top of the hill. The wind is blowing a gale. I shelter behind a brick wall to try and take some photos for a panorama. Another person joins me at the spot to take a photo.

I walk up to the top of the tower and it‘s even more blustery. It reminds me of the day Em and I climbed the tower at the Cliffs of Moher. After the tower, I head back through the woods. There are lot‘s of people strolling about. It‘s so beautiful.

1500 I‘m back at the Pavilion at the end of my walk. I drop by the market to get another treat. This time forest fruit treacle slice. I‘m feeling a little tired; it was a very strenuous walk and climb. But I‘m not feeling any significant jet lag. My feet are sore though. Walking around the town in this late autumnal weather was delightful.

1530 The clouds are heavy and it‘s starting to look dubious. I decide I‘ve given it a good go today and head back to the hotel to look at my photos and write this blog entry.

1800 I decide to try out the restaurant in the hotel for dinner. I have tomato and Aubergine soup, chicken breast with cannelloni beans and honey tart. It’s all very nice; I will dine there again.

During dinner there are ever increasing bangs outside. I have no idea what’s going on until I overhear a discussion. Tonight is Bonfire Night. I remember that from years ago. And the local fireworks are being set off just in front of the hotel. After dinner I look out the window of my room to catch the show. It’s only small but the fireworks go on for a very long time.

2000 I’m feeling tired now. It was an active day and I think it’s time to get to bed. I might listen to some music first.