Stockport & the Peak District 4-7 May 12

Will the rain ever stop? If in doubt, head for the hills and that's just what we did over the May bank holiday weekend, albeit our decision was swayed by the fact that Harlequins were playing their last game of the season at Edgeley Park, Stockport. If they won, then they would top the league!

On the Friday we set out early, with Debbie working on board for the 3 hour drive across country. We relied on TomTom, and it took us a circuitous route through Sheffield and Glossop to drop down to our destination (Hayfield) from the North. The last part of the trip across the Peak and around the reservoirs was stunning, although the approach to the site was tricky due to narrow roads and cars park everywhere. We arrived, plugged in, set up, had dinner and went for a stroll around Hayfield.




Hayfield



Tom peeping over the hedge

Saturday was up early to catch the bus to Stockport. It was a pretty ride in, although Stockport isn't much to write home about. We had a bimble about then retired to the Wetherspoons for a mahoosive breakfast and cheap pints, before walking to Edgeley Park and the game. Harlequins beat Sale to finish top, we celebrated and then we celebrated a bit more.



Nick Evans warming up



Finally, after stopping at a couple more pubs, and the local chippy, we eventually arrived home.

On Sunday we decided to have a little stroll from the campsite up onto Kinder Scout. This little stroll turned into an 8 mile hike, climbing over 500 meters! There were stunning views from the top and the rain held off all day. What was interesting were the sheep by Kinder Downfall, who had no hesitation whatsoever in nicking whatever grub they could find. It was just like being back in my old office.

Thieving sheep

Debs didn't particulalrly enjoy going "off piste" on the way down, but we managed to find our way back to the site, knackered but happy and sat down to a roast dinner and champagne to celebrate our wedding anniversary and Quins mighty achievements this season.



The sheep took this one





Easy does it!




Kinder Reservoir



Knackered





On bank holiday Monday morning we packed up very quickly and headed off to Lyme House, a National Trust property nearby in Disley. Despite being very busy (as it would be on a wet bank holiday) they obviously recognised class and gave us our own executive parking slot. We repaid them by sitting down and having a cuppa in the bus before climbing the hill to have a look around the house and gardens. It was all very nice, but a bit stark. By now it was peeing down, so we returned to the bus and cooked lunch, waving at the peasants who were having their picnics in the pouring rain.

The front of Lyme House



..and the rear

Picnic in the cold and wet or....

.....picnic in the warm and dry?

We took a gentle run home over the Peaks and stopped near Grantham for another cuppa, before arriving home in good time on Monday.

The campsite - excellent. Beautiful location with some superb walks around the area and sufficient other things to do to fill a wet weather programme. Shame about some of our fellow campers though. You have a nice quiet setting so you have to put on your radio to listen to crap music and any conversation has to be conducted at a shout because the music is so loud. Pillocks!

Local chippy - not too bad. Local beer - OK, but doesn't have the same depth of flavour as our good southern brews.