Weekend escape

Whilst we were away we decided to cross over the border to the Derby Dales.

We kind of figured that being so far North (for us) we may as well make the most of the weekend rather then going for one purpose alone then rushing back home again with an empty feeling inside.


And this way we kind of hoped we would come home with more happier memories tucked away at the back of our minds rather then just remembering the sad stuff.

It worked, like a breath of fresh air.

We only stayed two nights and one whole day really - give or take a couple of hours either side - but we crammed as much in as we could.

None of this lounging around until noon in our pj's - like we'd become accustomed to over the Christmas break. No sirree!

And to be honest the place we found with that view 'wow!'

I'll go into more detail another day, but I can only exclaim to say - it was stunning!........and peaceful.

First up - it had to be a walk in that beautiful countryside.

We had many to choose from, but the one that seemed the most sensible - with over enthusiastic little ones to begin with then dragging feet later on - was the canal walk from Lea Bridge to Cromford Mill.




Roughly an hour with our kiddos and then we could stop for lunch and refreshments before we made our way back.




It is a beautiful walk and even more so (I'm told) in the frosty depths of Winter.

Our walk was a changeable one in the weather variety so think squelchy mud and muddy puddles. Thankfully I packed the wellies - for 'just in case'




After our walk and being out in all that fresh air and gorgeous countryside we decided we didn't want it to end so we (Mr T and I) thought it would be a good idea to head up to the highest vantage point - for a jolly good old view.

We landed at the memorial in Crich. Almost literally.

Oh my word it is beautiful up there, but windy.............really windy. Think Mary Poppins fly away windy - with a magnificent view.


We only stopped for about fifteen minutes due to the fact we were literally clinging onto each other in case we took off, but the kids (big and little) and a fabulous time with all the hightailed hilarity.

I honestly couldn't hold my camera straight for being buffeted around.



And as you may of guessed - we headed back to the barn for hot chocolate and the box of chocolaty biscuits I squirreled away, left over from Christmas.

I'm sure you can imagine, I also took a lot of pictures.

Far more then I think notable and with not wanting to turn this journey into a yawn some 'not another picture' post - so as you can see, I've made a few mosaics to collate them a bit better and cover more ground......so to speak.


And I know I keep saying this, but it is very, very important to me.........

Thank you, thank you all again for your support and understanding and I'm sorry if I haven't been able to reciprocate as much as I'd like, but I'm slowly beginning to feel like I'm moving forwards again after these crazy couple of weeks we've had and I'm extremely optimistic a bit of normality is starting to creep in.

Thank goodness.

Have a lovely, lovely day.

xXx