To get water...not an easy task

Billy no mates...that was us last night. The neighbouring Motorhome left late afternoon leaving us to enjoy the panoramic views, most enjoyable but it meant we no longer had that windbreak to shelter us. And we could have done with it when the gales arrived and 'The Beast' started rocking. Then came the rain and with it the drumming noise which seemed worse on The Beast then it did on FS's roof. This morning we also nearly ran out of the water. Should'nt have been a problem on this site as water was somewhere around. We eventually found it near to the elsan, I suppose that was the logical place for the tap to be but to get to it, we would have had to drive over the sodden and waterlogged grass. Not only would deep ruts have been left but the chances of getting stuck was very real. Looked online for another site for tonight, complete with water tap, was almost impossible as this time off year most places are still closed until March!  The only saving grace, the tap was situated right next to the narrow lane and only a stone wall was between it and the road. So the only solution was to drive 'The Beast' up the lane blocking the road completely, sling the hose over the wall filling the tank as quickly as possible and hoping against hope that no car would turn up. The Gods were smiling on us for sure as we had just finished and pulled away when the postman in his van turned up.  Phew, at least we could have that long awaited cup of tea at last.

So we set off towards Rowsley and Cauldwell Mill. With my hip still playing up walking any distance was out of the question. Ian said he felt okay, his aches and pains had all but gone away but I wasn't going to risk any more injury. Gosh, the Mill was busy. With 'The Beast' taking up three parking places, I don't think we were very popular but if only some of these attractions would cater for the bigger vehicle, that problem wouldn't become an issue. Anyway, we spent a couple of hours looking at the exhibits, most showing how wheat would have been ground with the machines trubdling away but without any sign of flour being produce.

No.. this is not the waterwheel that drives the pullys

Roller Mills taking the place of grindstones

bottom left are the way the flour used to be ground and right, weighing scales.

Left- This turbine is what powers the drive shafts to run the pulleys that grind the flour and top left is a Plansitter which sift the flour.

Made our way back and had to make a dash for 'The Beast' when we got caught in a snowstorm. Then the hunt for tonight's site began in earnest. So many phone calls made with all saying the same thing, not open until March. Eventually, we found one in Bakewell. Not the best of sites, more of a quagmire with all the mud, loos that had no working lights and right next to a busy railway line but beggars can't be choosers, at least we can plug into the electrics.  Tomorrow we hope to do some of the caves...well if my hip problem doesn't get in the way that is.. 

Tonights site in Bakewell

And first miniature Daffs seen in bloom.

Not as fit as we thought!

Woke this morning to a white landscape. Temperature gauge showed an outside temperature of -3 but inside 'The Beast' a warm 19 deg. Sure pays to have an electric supply especially as the heater was left on all night. But could we leave this site this morning?? Unfortunately not, the hard standing, as well as the lane leading to the main road, was snowbound. A very icy hill would also have to be negotiated...downhill, I might add, with a stone wall across the road at the bottom. Ian's remark of "at least the wall would stop us if we lost traction" did not go down well! So the plan was to have a look round Tissington village instead and to take stock of the situation on our return.

Sunrise

Tissington Hall

And the Hall from St Marys church cemetery

Tissington has six Wells which are all dressed in May. We found three. Left is Hall Well, top right Childrens Well and bottom right Town Well

St Marys Church

So, having reached the old Tissington station and a point where the Tissington trail headed off to either Parsley Hay or Ashbourne, it was decided that a walk towards Ashbourne would be 'quite nice.'

 Only 3.5 miles, nothing compared to the miles we had walked in Australia. But one year on, two very unfit people thought the walk would be a doddle and soon found to their cost how very wrong they were!

 One mile to go before reaching Ashbourne and my left hip started to object strongly to the amount of pressure I had put it through. Finally, and with some relief, we reached a cafe by the bike hire hut. A table was found and tea and a sandwich ordered we sat enjoying the strong sunshine. The pain was all but forgotten until I I got up to leave then the pain shot through my hip like a knife. It was unanimously decided not to proceed to Ashbourne, (shame really as only .25 of a mile to go) but to turn round and start the 3.5-mile walk back. Then with 2.5 miles to go, it was Ian's turn to start limping. Confessing that his right hip had been playing up for some time we both looked like two decrepit beings hobbling along and supporting each other in case either one of us toppled. I cant tell you how relieved we were when we finally made it back to 'The Beast'. I wear a Fitbit watch and it shows how many steps and miles walked that day. I syncronising it to my phone which showed 21,304 steps and nearly 10 miles walked!  Think maybe we should have eased back into the strenuous lifestyle more slowly. Tomorrow we both expect some suffering!

Saw loads of Redwing but with only my Panasonic bridge camera, the photos come out blurred. Didn't help that I had it on the wrong setting either!

Bird feeder by the cafe

These Snowdrops are more advanced than at Langley Mill

It's away to the Peaks.

What a week to chose, we couldn't have picked a colder week for our getaway. The Beast,. Heading for the Peak District seemed a good idea at the time. Now, methinks, maybe it was not the best idea we have ever had.  Apart from the face-numbing wind chill, the blizzards have come thick and fast. Luckily we made it to Dovedale before the snow really set in and headed off for a walk along the River Dove. Plenty of other walkers heading in the same direction, all dressed like us in warm clothing. But this is where the similarity stopped! The majority wore sensible foot attire, welly boots, unlike us that thought ordinary walking boots wood surfice. But how were we to know that the path leading to the stepping stones would be underwater and.... how were we to know that our so-called walking boots were NOT waterproof? Soon found that out when we were halfway along that flooded path!

Having abandoned the walk and got back to 'The Beast' before the first of the blizzards hit, we headed for Tissington. A campsite was found at Town Head Farm, very rural and almost, but not quite, a wild campsite. On-site was Elsan disposal, water and electric but no loos or showers. Not that that worried us as 'The Beast' is pretty well self sufficient. No sooner had we pulled onto hard standing when another blizzard stopped any thought of leaving the van to make use of the electric. 15 minutes later it cleared enough for me to take photos, Ian to get the electrics plugged in so we could get the heater going and finally get the TV out with the hope that a decent signal could be found for the Six Nations Rugby. He was very pleased when the channel he wanted tuned in.

wipe out

Tissington Hall almost obscured 

The Hall before the blizzard

We have been told by a local that more snow is forecast over night and that Buxton and Castleton has had road closures because of the conditions. Oh dear...Thats where we are heading. Now I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Will you look at those clouds.

Hmmm...good day tomorrow or bad?

A Catch-Up

So, where do I start? It seems an age since I placed fingers to keyboard to create a post, so time for a catch-up.

Its been all hands on deck with the rally preparations. Trying to organise such a large event has its problems but luckily ECP&DA have a great bunch of members all chipping in. Impressive are the boat entries already booked in. We now have 10 trade boats, 18 historic boats and 40 private boats all attending and we are still only just into Feb.In fact, we have had to close the Trade boat entries as towpath space is limited. Ian as Harbour Master has walked from Langley Mill lock up to Anchor bridge and the winding hole with a wheel measure thingy to see how many meters he has to play with. I don't envy his job trying to find a space for them all!

 January and we had the first significant snowfall here at Langley Mill. Didn't last that long, by next morning it was nearly all gone but it did highlight the daffodils coming up under the tree on the grassy area. Are these flowers coming up earlier every year?

 Toward the end of January, the sky was clear enough for me to get a photo of the Super Moon. Rather pleased with the outcome even though I do say so myself.

Although these few events were worthy of a mention, for the majority of the time staying in one place has seen me twiddling my fingers and wondering what to do with myself. There is only so much cleaning one can do and cupboards have been stripped of contents, scrubbed to an inch of its life and rearranged so neither Ian or I can find anything anymore! So a trip away later this month when we take off in the 'Beast' for a few days will be a welcome relief. The Peak District is our destination so looking forward to that although warm clothing may well be needed if this cold spell doesn't break!

 We did go to Newark Boat Jumble last Sunday. Met up with Dennis and Margaret (Nb Icing) and spent a good couple of hours wandering around. It was just new mooring ropes we went for but ended coming away with a Dash Cam for the motorhome and a small air compressor in case our tyres go flat! As for needing ropes, our mooring ropes have been spliced together so many times that we feared any sharp tug and the splice would give way leaving FS to wander where she pleased. Hardly bear thinking about especially if it happened on a river!

Newark doesn't just have boat stuff, some stalls were full of fishing gear and I was treated to a new reel complete with two spools, one having 10lb line already wound on and I felt the price of £15 was a bargain.

Synthetic Hemp Rope

 Anyway enough of this dribble. it's time to go and watch daytime TV again. Yep, the boredom has well and truly set in and watching the square box all day is my way of dealing with it!

Took a few wildlife piccys when out walking including coming face to face with a Fox.