Kedleston Hall and Belper

Another trip out with Siobhan today to another of the reachable National Trust properties, this time to Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire.

The property wasn't very well signposted as we approached, and we ended up going several miles beyond our turn-off. Maybe this was a portend of what was to come...a rather disappointing visit. Substantial parts of the house seemed to be closed for renovations, and there aren't any formal flower gardens - just extensive parkland.

It was poor conditions for taking photographs outdoors, but I am very pleased with the indoor shots I took; a vast improvement on my efforts at Beningbrough Hall and Lyme Park.

We only stayed for ninety minutes before setting off back; it gave us plenty of time to linger in Belper, in the café in particular, where we enjoyed hot scones taken straight out of the oven, served with butter, clotted cream, and jam.

Belper is quite a pretty town, it's also quite hilly and so I think there were some parts we didn't see; Siobhan struggles with the hills.

Tickhill, Near Doncaster

A short trip out today to Tickhill, a very pleasant small town south of Doncaster. I went with Marshall, my support worker.

We started by sitting next to the Millpond, eating our sandwiches and listening to the cricket commentary.

During the luncheon interval at the cricket we went for a walk round the town. I've never really taken the time to have a thorough look at the place; I've started or finished a few walks here, and travelled through it plenty of times on the bus or in the car.

So, there were a couple of things I've not seen before; the two Spanish-style villas and the walnut tree orchard at the back of the millpond.

I'd not been inside the church before today; I've not been inside the castle either - it's a private residence and only opens its doors one day a year to the public.

Lyme Park and Buxton

Another day out with Siobhan: It rained for long periods as we drove over to Cheshire, but after looking round the hall there was quite a long gap between showers for us to explore the gardens; we didn't venture into the park because it would have been a bit too much for Siobhan...and it looked like it might rain at any time.

The house and gardens are nothing special; the only thing that I thought was really impressive was the courtyard.

These were the items that I found most interesting inside the hall.

The view of the hall is much better from the back, where the gardens are located.

I had fun for a few minutes playing with a piece of installation art called 'Distant Drumbeat.' I banged on the drums with drumsticks to change the colours of the lights attached to the folly tower on the distant hillside...I was able to change the lights to every colour of the rainbow.

After a couple of  hours we set off for home, calling at Buxton for tea and cake at the Pavilion Gardens. The slice of apple and blackberry cake I had was delicious and moist. On the way back to the car park we had time to pop in to the charity shops; I found seven of them on the pedestrianised precinct - there might have been several more elsewhere in the town.

Hooton Pagnell Summer Fete 2015

Visiting Hickleton, Bilham, Hooton Pagnell, Hampole, Pickburn, and Woodlands

There were a couple of reasons why I chose a local walk today; first, I specifically wanted to visit Hooton Pagnell Fete, and second, there was a cycle race in Sheffield this morning which meant that a lot of city centre roads would be closed, causing disruption to the buses. I couldn't escape from the cyclists today though because there was an organised race going through Hooton Pagnell all the time I was there The riders had to follow the diversions though - the High Street is always blocked off for the fete.

I was hoping that my brother might have joined me today and then we could both walk back to Thurnscoe, where he lives with our parents. He'd already let me know that he wasn't interested though. I think the £3 cost of admission put him off...or gave him the excuse he was looking for. Anyhow it meant I'd be able to walk back to Woodlands, from where there are a lot more buses back to town.

I got off the bus at Hickleton; it's only twenty minutes on the X19 express service. The weather wasn't very good, dark and a bit misty. It would stay this way all my time at Hooton Pagnell, but would brighten up for a couple of hours later on in the afternoon.

Not very good conditions for photography. Hickleton is a pretty village, not as pretty as Hooton Pagnell in my opinion, but certainly well worth spending some time taking photographs. These are what I came up with today; the pub, the famous Hickleton Skulls, and the church.

I then walked down the country lane which leads to Hooton Pagnell, passing through the small hamlet of Bilham.

I arrived at Hooton Pagnell just before eleven o'clock and had a quick look round to see what was on offer, before returning to specific attractions. I noticed that cream teas, with fresh strawberries, were being sold in three locations, the pub tearooms, inside the church, and at the school. I love my cream teas, but it was far too early in the day; it wasn't too early for some people though - they were having their Hooton Pagnell cream teas as a late breakfast.

It was quite busy by the time I left at one o'clock, after having tea and biscuits in the tearooms. It would probably have been even busier later in the afternoon when the sun came out. 

I walked along Back Lane and Broad Balk to reach Hampole Wood. I found signs stating it was private property. I have previously walked through the wood without any problems, but the signs were everywhere, making me feel quite intimidated. I've checked the Ordnance Survey map and there are no public footpaths through the wood therefore the landowner is fully within his rights to block access. I don't know the reasons, but it seems a bit petty, since local people have walked in the wood for many years, and at one time Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council's countryside rangers organised group walks to look at the bluebells and primroses.

I had to do a long detour of at least two miles, going to the main Wakefield road at Hampole and then finding a footpath which I took to take me to where I needed to be, the far side of Hampole Wood. From here I walked down a wide track to the road above Pickburn, then across some fields to reach the village.

I crossed the A1(M) using the footbridge; it seems that there had just been an accident on the southbound carriageway, before enjoying a lovely view of Woodlands church as I briefly entered Brodsworth Community Woodlands.

I arrived at the bus-stop at Woodlands just as the bus arrived. By now the sun had gone and some threatening clouds were approaching and as I was walking through town on my way home there was a noisy thunderstorm. Fortunately I missed the worst of the rain, that started as I was in the bathroom. 

Taking It Easy

I could have gone to Bakewell Carnival or Worksop Priory Summer Fete today, but decided to stay at home relaxing in the garden. I've made a conscious decision to keep myself as busy as possible, attempting to go out at every opportunity; but twice or three times a week should be often enough.

I'm planning to go to Hooton Pagnell Fete tomorrow, taking place at one of the beautiful local estate villages on the magnesium limestone ridge; a lovely spot to spend a few hours.

I've also booked Siobhan, one of my support workers, to take me to Lyme Park in Cheshire; calling on the way home somewhere in the Peak District for tea and cakes.