We dropped Number 2 son off in Sheffield after lunch and took a trip into the Peaks. It was a lovely day, the verges were full of celandines and wood anemones in the appropriate places and all was right with the world, apart from one thing. For some reason whenever we say something worth photographing there was nowhere to park.
I’m not saying Derbyshire County Council has designed the road system to stop drivers taking photographs but if they ever decide to do so it will be difficult to improve on the current situation.
Despite this I did manage to get some shots of scenery, or fields and rocks, as Julia pointed out. With a bit more enthusiasm I could have parked and walked a bit more, but that would have meant spending less time at the Brierlow Bar Bookshop.
We’ve been there before, as regular readers will know. The tea is still up to standard and we had some very acceptable cashew and banana cake (though it was a little rich, even for me). I think my new healthy diet might be blunting my ability to appreciate cake. It’s a stiff price to pay, even for a few extra years of life.
I’m afraid a high price has also been paid by the book stock. The Nature section doesn’t seem as strong as it used to be, and the Poetry section seems to be depleted, although my other favourite sections seem either the same (History) or expanded (Crime Fiction). Julia says the Craft section is much smaller too. I like tea but I like books too. I am conflicted.
I suppose I should have bought a guidebook to the Peak District to address my ignorance but I bought one on stained glass, one on War Poets and one about an archaeologist who solves murders.
That’s why there’s a lack of information on Lead Mining, sheep and Blue John in this post. In future posts I will try to address this failing.
Gosh, yes – the parking! Very poor in places. If you’re looking for information on Blue John – visit Treak Cliff Cavern.
🙂
That bookshop looks pretty good, although a depleted nature section is disappointing. Do you know Scarthin Books in Cromford?
I’ve been past it but always on the way somewhere else so in 20 plus years I’ve never actually been in.
It’s a long while since I went there. My brother used to live in Belper, which gave me a base nearby. It used to be good though, and there’s a cafe with books all around the walls, so that I felt you could eat in the cafe and read one of the cookbooks whilst you did.
Sounds good.
Looks like you had good weather for your outing! I followed your Lead Mining and Blue John links. I have always wondered what possessed the first human to pick up ore, extract the metal and fashion tools from it. The Blue John is beautiful. We have something here called Holley Blue,a type of agate.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holley,_Oregon
Yes, we were lucky with the weather. Holly Blue looks good, though I did spend time sorting it from “Holly Blue Agate”. The internet can be a mysterious place…
🙂
The town the agate was named for is spelled Holley, which may have made it harder to find. I don’t know the town’s history. Probably someone named Holley, like Holley Carburetors.
Yes, the carburettors turned up in one of the searches too! 🙂
I recognised the Hope cement factory immediately! Lots of nice photos of Peak District scenery. Weren’t you lucky with the weather?
Yes, we’re having a lot of luck with weather – both on the Peaks and with Wales. It is, I believe, the reward for a virtuous life. 🙂
🙂
I am very disappointed about the lack of information regarding Blue John but somewhat mollified by the other pictures. I have noticed a tendency in our local council not to provide parking places where there are good views.
I’m fond of Blue John, as is Julia, so I may well come back to the subject later.
I identify with the parking problem. You got some good shots all the same
We’ve been in Wales today – missed enough shots to make you cry. Not sure we got a single landscape between us. Did get a few birds though…
Despite the lack of parking, there were some wonderful shots. So enjoyed traveling with you, too. The bookstore looks great.Unfortunately, space an money are always at a premium and they must stock books that sell. Still, with books and tea and great scenery, how can you go wrong?
Yes, there wasn’t much wrong with the day. 🙂