Peak District , England 2014

Leaving Wales and the bi-lingual signage behind we headed into the Peak District in the Mid-lands of England.

 Leaving Wales from Chirk, and the castle of the same name, the first place we encountered was called Ellesmere.  It was somewhat uncanny to come across so many places from which New Zealand places had been named.  Then on to Ashboune further west, shown here, to make our way to...

...but oh dear further delay by a bear shop.  Try again to find our self catering cottage on a farm, but not before having to ask the way.  An old farmer said we were a long way off course but really it was on a couple of miles along the wrong road.

However the Throwley Cottage was soon found with all mod cons except internet or good cell phone.

While this was what was left of Throwley Hall referred to in the information board below, the cottage was part of an existing farm.

A view looking down onto the main farm buildings.  The old ruin is just out of view to the right of the square white house at the right hand side of the group of buildigs.

Good looking stock on Throwley.

Also sheep which were typical of sheep in the district.

Compared to some others in the Peak District, but notice the very good lamb.

While some others had wool more suited to a craft weaver.

This collie was taking a short spell to pose for the photo while working.

Water storage was all important for stock with some supplied from a community scheme while this was was from a local source, and some also from roof water.

Looked like the remains of an old lime kiln on Throwley not far from the cottage.

Typical farmland near Throwley and the Peak District.

Another view of farmland and steadings nearby.

Never far from a large house or castle.  This is Ilam Park, and not sure if any association with Ilam in Christchurch, NZ.

With beautifully gardens maintained by the National Trust.

Consider how many hewers of wood were needed to keep all the fireplaces fueled over winter in Ilam, and this was just a sample of the chimneys.

  As usual a church not far away with...

... its cemetery in view of the house.  Notice the terraced landscaping leading down from the house.

No stately garden is complete without its stone bridge which lead to a woodland walk but likely to have had a more useful purpose.  Perhaps to transport wood fore the fires in the house, seen in the background.

The scene was completed with this vintage car passing through the small village near the entrance to Ilam house.

 Not far away was the Derwent River valley, the source of water wheel driven mills of various types.
Caudwell's Mill was labelled "Derbyshire's unique flour mill, the only complete Victorian water-turbine roller mill in the country".

While it was a working mill there had been added on a tourist cafe and shop.

 Beside the mill stream this herd of cattle grazing.

A few miles further down the valley this huge building that once housed a cotton processing and weaving factory.

A wear across the river former a small lake and water was controlled by a complex gate system on the upstream side of the building.

Gardens had been established along the banks of the lake to create a public park.

Some signage was clear.  Wirksworth, a small town between Ashbourne and the Derwent Valley.  All three options lead to different towns down the Derwent Valley on the A6 road, which ran down the valley.

Every miles or so was another village, this one Winster, more bits of history and narrow alleys.

The "Market House" in Winster, now owned by the National Trust.  As with many buildings it has been modified and partially rebuilt over the years.  Note the upper story is brick while the lower story is stone.  The upper story had become unstable and was partially demolished then when rebuilt was in brick.

The main street of Winster.

Surprises appear at every turn.  Here a cooking school in the village of Tideswell, Derbyshire.

The cooking school was part of a larger business still in the same family of the founder and included a commercial kitchen as well as supplying kitchen equipment.

It was then out onto the Yorkshire Moors with a bit more space.

Wales 2014

WALES August 2014
If an agronomist then Aberystwyth is synonymous with grassland research being the location of world recognized grassland study.  Although there was little point in trying to locate any of the researchers in holiday time it was satisfying just to have driven through the town.

Even one of the pubs was named "The Varsity".

Otherwise the town is a typically attractive seaside location.

Wales was certainly a castle place and we visited two.  First Harlech Castle on the coast in the Tremadog Bay.  Built on a rocky outcrop that at the time it was built had a sea frontage but now there has been accretion leaving flats and sand hills out to the sea.  On the landward side was a moat and drawbridge which had been located as shown in this view..

Away from the drawbridge can be seen how the wall were built on the natural rock foundation. The quality of building was remarkable and the walls so true.

From within the courtyard the view back to the gate towers.

The tower gives a commanding view of the countryside.

The view over the expansive fertile silt flats to the north in the lower Vale of Conwy.

 Also above other occupants.

The Castle latrines exited down the sie of the castle near where the moat disappeared over the bluff to the sea.  Did it add to the defenses?

A few photographs of the various faces of Wales.  Here well managed fields.

Here again up the Dyfi Valley.

These paddocks along the coast where they were almost all enclosed by maintained stone walls.

Sometimes buildings adjoined busy roads.

No not London.  Usk on the Welsh coast with the wedding bus...

...which also takes pride in its street gardens here and below...

...in this street view.

We are not yet done with Castles.  This one administered by the National Trust that maintains many heritage buildings and sites.

Chirk Castle near the north east Welsh border with England.

A very tidy property that is fully maintained.

Trust volunteers (lower left), some a bit eccentric, do an excellent job providing tours and commentary.

 Home cooked dinner beside a stream at the very pleasant B&B on our first night in Wales.

We were aware that some place names in Wales were a bit difficult to pronounce but not aware that the Welsh language is also widely used on signage but said to be understood by less than 20% of the inhabitants.  This is an extreme example outside a very good shop selling teas and ice cream.  If one ventured around the back of the sign it was written in the English language.  Turned out to be a simple sign for ice cream.
However to add to the confusion all road signs have dual language and most are partially covered with vegetation., other signs or buildings.  It was good to leave this aspect of Wales behind.  More on road signs later.