The Peak District

Sorry for the lack of posts lately but it has been so much fun exploring this part of the world I have spent very little time blogging (and the not so smart me took on a brochure and annual report during these 2 weeks ;(

My cousin Richard's wedding was a fantastic day. The church in Spondon was beautiful and the vicar a real character. John and one of my cousins and I had a real giggle with flashbacks of the Bishop from Monty Python... he was fantastic! The reception was full of good food, drink and visiting with family we hadn't seen in years. The next day we went to the village were Tina & Richard live. It is called Shardlow and it was so quaint and beautiful. House boats along the canal, 6 pubs(!) and beautiful homes.

We headed over to the Peak District and are here until Friday. The hiking is phenomenal and the scenery is gorgeous. We explored Chatsworth House (fantastic Farm Shop) and rambled through some of the 1000 acre grounds doing our best to avoid sheep poo! They were in the process of restoration and it is so fascinating. We all loved checking out the painstaking process of restoring a house (and all its contents) of this size and age and dressing up in some period costumes.

Yesterday we became members of National Trust. I am so very excited!!! There are so many places to explore not only in the UK but they are affiliated with organizations all over the world. There are also volunteer and support groups which I plan to join once we are settled in Devon where you can work on anything from dry-stone walling to assisting at concerts to fundraising through to specialist work involving skilled crafts.

Our first property we explored was Little Moreton Hall. A 15th century half moated house in Congleton (near Manchester). It was insane! Michelle - you know how you said nothing in your house was level? Check out this place!!!!

Time to go on a hike. It is a misty, rainy day so better get the rain gear out!