Once I knew that I wouldn’t be called in for my knee replacement surgery before the new year, we decide on a few days away.
Many months ago, Sue had found that Churnet Valley Railway were holding an open day at the end of September and suggested that we attend. Obviously, being train related I agreed, planning on travelling there and back in a day.
However, why not find somewhere to stay in the vicinity either side of the train.
Booking.com offered us a converted barn near to Stoke on Trent and less that half an hour from the railway.
Sue was not impressed when I told her that we would be vacationing in Stoke but I assured her that it wasn’t actually in Stoke but (almost) on the edge of the Peak District. On the map it does look quite countrified.
The rail event was on the Saturday but we would be starting our break on the Thursday.
Thursday morning came and I took the dogs to the kennels before returning home to load the car and be on our way.
Instead of going straight to the house, we ventured a bit further north, to a National Trust property on the outskirts of Manchester.
Lyme was once home to the Legh family and, in its heyday a great sporting estate. It was featured in the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice.
Continuing with the Pride & Prejudice theme, the house offers regency era clothes to dress up in – and not just the kids.
The house is on a rise above the carpark but I persevered and managed the walk up with my stick.
We wandered around the house, taking a few snaps on the way.
Following on, we took a walk through the gardens and the excellent (according to Sue) Orangery.
As is usual on our visits to NT properties, we stopped for a bite of lunch, a skeg in the bookshop before returning to the car.
By now the knee was starting to protest so I wimped out and accepted a ride down in the buggy.
From the outskirts of Manchester, we headed for our holiday home along the A6, passing through Buxton, past The Roaches and Leek.
Many, many years ago, I used to rock climb on the Roaches and nearby Ramshaw Rocks which we could see from the car. That was a long time ago!
A little after our planned eta of four o’clock, we arrived at the ‘cottage’. Our flat was behind the arched section and was imaginatively called The Arches.
We unloaded our gear and made ourselves at home before the owner called by to make sure everything was fine.
She went through the information booklet and explained where stuff was and how to get the heating to work (this proved useful).
As night fell, I decided to try my hand at some astro-photography and setup my camera on it”s tripod out back of the cottage.
The sky was clear with only a few whips clouds but the moon was almost full so the sky, especially where the Milky Way would be, wasn’t all the dark.
By looking away from the moon, I was able to capture a few stars including, in the lower half, the Plough or Ursa Minor.
I was amazed at how many more stars the camera could see than my human eyeballs.
The following day brought rain but we weren’t going to be held captive so we jumped into the car and headed over the Staffordshire Moorlands to the Peak District.
By the time we reached Buxton, the rain had stopped and by the time we had reached Castleton, you’d never have known that it had been raining.
At Castleton, we had a stroll around with Sue checking out a gift shop selling her Charley Bears. From there we discovered a Whisky and Beer shop which drew Sue’s attention as it had Arran Whisky in the window.
The Arran whisky was not cheap, especially the ten year old, but Sue had a choice – a bottle of Arran or a fluffy Charley bear (Spoiler – it was the bear).
However, a few interesting beers were spotted including Buckie Bomb. A sour beer with Irn Bru and Buckfast Tonic Wine. I’m not a lover of sours but had to try it (I love Irn Bru and to a lesser extent, Bucky).
With a few beers. literally in the bag, we returned to the gift shop where Sue was in her heaven, surrounded by fluffy bears.
Taking a shine to a particularly fluffy specimen, a purchase was made before returning to the car.
We had planned on driving up the Hope valley as far as Hathersage then turning right to Bakewell. However, a road closure ensured that we had to travel to the outskirts of Sheffield before we could cut across.
Luckily, this diversion took us past a couple of abandoned Citroen 2CVs languishing by the side of the road. Back in 2007, whilst on the Isle of Arran, I noticed an old Citroen abandoned and had to take a photo, These two, today, complimented the original.
Eventually, we arrived at Bakewell and after finding a space for the car, went in search of some dinner.
We went to a place where we had eaten before but is now called the H-Boutique Hotel.
I went for the Fish Finger Sandwich and Sue a Charcuterie board.
My sandwich was more of a ‘four fish goujons between bread’ affair while Sue had a right plateful. Needless to say, the food was excellent.
From Bakewell, we made our way back to the cottage stopping off at a Good Beer Guide listed pub not far from our destination.
The Black Lion, was a very popular establishment with quite a few kids in attendance, having stopped off for a jar on the school run (parents were present). After a couple of pints, it was back to the cottage for a relaxing evening.
Saturday arrived and it was up to a beautiful sunrise over a mist laden valley.
After a very light breakfast, it was off to the Churnet Valley Railway for a bit of an open day with a few extras on top of the ubiquitous train ride. As can be seen, a breakfast was being served on the train.
We arrived in plenty of time and parked the car before walking the short distance to the station. Our names were checked of and we were told that we would be travelling in Rudyard coach.
A little before half ten, our train pulled in dragged by Class 33 diesel, Sophie. At the other end, which would become the front, a USATC 2-8-0, Franklin D Roosevelt, number 701.
As we watched the train pull in, we read the names on the sides of the coaches. There was a ‘Diana’ and a ‘Coach 80030’ but no Rudyard.
Luckily a staff member pointed us to another volunteer stood, with a clipboard, outside one of the coaches.
“Are you Rudyard?” I enquired.
“This is Rudyard”, came the reply, “could I have your name please?”
After giving my name, I was informed that we would be seated in 49 and 50 so we jumped on board and went in search of our seats.
We discovered that we were at a table for four with a gent already installed. We made our introductions and sat down.
We were soon asked if we wanted tea or coffee (both coffee) as we settled down.
The train left a little late (par for the course) and we were soon heading out past some disused industrial sites and out into the country side. We passed through Consall station and, a little later, Cheadleton before continuing to the site of the yet to be built, Leek station.
The journey was made even better by a cooked breakfast with more coffee.
At this juncture (not junction) we were invited to leave the train and take a short walk to the buffer stops. Here, one of the railway directors told us about the preparations and plans for the new station that will allow train services to run to Leek for the first time in sixty years.
Back on board, we returned part way to Cauldon Lowe where we took a left turn to head up the line as far as Ipstones.
This section of track climbs steadily to the summit at Ipstones which is why the train was being hauled by the massive 2-8-0. In future, services from Froghall to Leek can utilise a much smaller loco – in fact the railway has recently purchased a couple of 0-6-0 tank engines for this purpose.
Following the run out to Ipstones, we returned stopping at Cauldon. Interestingly, at Cauldon, is one of only two triangles in preservation allowing the trains to be turned.
Those who wished could alight here and take a short walk back to one apex of the triangle. The train would be run from the station to just past the junction a couple of times to allow for photos.
The driver put his foot down, as it were, to produce a good show with steam billowing from the chimney – well done that man !
With the phots taken, it was back on board to be transported to Cheadleton for a guided tour of the engine and carriage sheds.
After a good look around it was back onto the train for our final leg back to Froghall where it had all begun.
From Froghall, we drove to Ipstones and the Sealion Inn (Good Beer Guide) for a couple of pints, outside in the autumn sunshine before heading back to base.
Back at the cottage, we ordered a Chinese take out which was delivered about an hour later. This was washed down with the Bucky Blast. To be honest, the beer sounded better than it tasted but I’m not a fan of sours.
Sunday dawned and it was time to pack up and head home. It wasn’t straight home for us as the Foxfiled railway was only couple of miles from our holiday home. This small ex-mineral line is only open on Sundays and luckily it was Sunday.
The Foxfield Railway runs for two and a half miles but part of that is up a 1:19 gradient which the Bagnall 0-4-0 saddle tank manages with a couple of coaches in tow.
Of course, Sue found a little teddy in the shop.
As much as she likes her teds, her ‘find of the day’ was a couple of hand painted porcelain plates in a Japanese stylee.
Two quid each.
After the fifty minute ride, it was back to the car and the final leg of the trip – back home.
Back at home, all that was needed was to pick up the dogs then it was chill out time.
Only a few days away but it was relaxing and refreshing. Just what we needed.