Wednesday, 17 September 2014
Mike writes: Earlier this month I joined several club members on a cycling holiday in the southern Peak District organised by Adrian and Eva. We were based in a converted Stable block in Somersal Herbert near Uttoxeter. The conversion was very good and we had every facility. The location has awe-inspiring views of the surrounding country side.
Andy, Jim, Tom, Jim, Adrian, Averil, Mike C, Doug, Greta, Eva, Mike S and Liz
There were fourteen of us at the start, but three had to return home early. We were of varied ability so we separated out into groups to visit various locations in the district. The hardriders got as far as Cannock Chase in the south and Buxton in the north. We all visited Ashbourne and went throught the railway tunnel. Other highlights were a visit to the Churnet Valley Railway and a walk around Hartington. Several riders tackled the High Peak, Tissington and Monsal Trails tunnels and all. The hardest rides were in the White Peak in places like Dovedale which is magnificent. There are a lot of hills some of which are up to Adrian's standard.
The stables with Andy, Jim, Ed and Mike C with Tom fixing his new wheel
The weather was just perfect. We had just one short light shower on the first day before the sun broke through. Then everyday was the same starting with a misty morning followed by glorious sunshine. The temperature was just right and there was little or no wind. It was a cyclist's heaven.
Dove Dale
Our evenings were equally good. We visited the local hostelrys in Sudbury and Doveridge. The Pub in Sudbury was the Vernon arms said to be the first building completed when Lord Vernon forcibly moved the existing village in 1671. In Doveridge we went to the Cavendish which was equally good but struggled a bit when we presented them with 14 diners on the first evening. The landlady was a great sport and the food was both cheap and excellent.
We had no major incidents except the great flood of Somersal. We returned to our room after dinner on the first night to find water dripping from our ceiling. It took a while to get help and locate the problem. It turned out the one of the upstairs rooms had a shower with tiling along the side of the bath. The tiling had cracked and was not properly sealed so it let water through. The landlord fixed it next morning and fortunately the ceiling did not fall down overnight.
I, and everyone else, would like to thank Eva for the perfect organisation and choice of location. Also thanks are due to the ladies who provided homemade cakes and jam for the troops. We even had a Birthday complete with cake for Jim. On another day Eva brought back two Bakewell Tarts one the traditional variety and one of the new type with icing as shown in the picture.
A modern Bakewell tart
A traditional bakewell tart
Jim, Eva, Doug, Jim B, Liz B, Greta and Mike C
I have lots more pictures and videos of the trains at Froghall. If anyone wants a copy just let me know.
Mike Stapleton
The Hall at Somersal Herbert
Street scene in Ashbourne
Pub sign in Ashbourne
Digmire Lane
Thorpe Cloud
River Manifold
Sudbury Hall
Somersal Herbert
Somersal Herbert Church
Somersal Herbert Church with Adrian at the font
Froghall station
The Polish engine
Alston station
Wartime poster
View from stables
View from stables