We packed for a hot Summer week away as, after all, it is July. Big mistake! Poxy bloody weather. Anyway, off to stay with Derbyshire DA for their "Bakefest" meet in Bakewell and we decided to add on another couple of nights en-route in Cromwell, near Newark, as we really like the Milestone Brewery next door to the campsite. We discovered, however, that the brewery was closed on the Monday for maintenance, so that was out. We were allocated a spot ostensibly overlooking the landscaped lake on the site, but we had to park nose in to get level, we were tucked in a corner and what view we did have was obscured by the washing of the rattle, rattle thunk van on the next pitch. Still, it was peaceful enough.
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| Nobody puts Lotti in the corner |
On Tuesday we decided to go for a walk and try and find a post box to post our voting forms for the general election. We walked about 5 miles, firstly to find the River Trent and then on to the post box in Carlton on Trent, a pleasant little village on the old great North Road. The Trent is not a pretty river and the walk spoilt by the incessant roar of lorries on the A1. I don't think we will repeat that exercise. In the evening we got into the brewery for a very pleasant evening in this great place.
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| Carlton on Trent |
On Wednesday we arrived in Bakewell at exactly 12o'clock and we were one of the first to arrive on the Debyshire DA site, so we could choose our pitch. We planted ourselves right next to the attractive River Wye and hoped the tinkle of the river would not generate unnecessary trips to the loo. On the recommendation of the steward, we booked a meal in the Woodyard restaurant in town. It was great.
On Thursday we mooched around Bakewell and found the brewery (another recommendation). What a great place that is and well worth a visit. In the evening we watched a poor singer shivering as she attempted to entertain the meet.
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| Packhorse Bridge, Bakewell |
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| Thornbridge Brewery |
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| Bakewell Pudding or Bakewell Tart? |
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| Singing Tremolo or just shivering? |
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| A cold winter's evening - in July! |
The following day we unloaded the bikes and took to the Monsal Trail completing this lovely traffic-free cycle route end to end. Near the far end we stopped for a cream tea, but the stupid girl in the cafe told us that she only had one fruit scone left, but we could have a cheese scone with cream and jam instead! In the evening we watched some live music and had a hog roast, but the pig roll was nowhere near as good as the ones at Cambridge Rugby.
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| The Ice Cream man cometh |
Saturday was carnival day in Bakewell and it was bloody freezing. We had lunch in the Austrian cafe and it was served just as it tipped it down with rain, so we dashed indoors. We missed most of the carnival as we retired back to the van to try and get warm and so she could nurse a worsening cold. Warm summer evening in July - my arse!
On Sunday it was home, dodging the sharp, heavy showers.
In all, a good weekend away despite the chilly weather. I think we would do it again as Bakewell is a pretty little place with a lot to offer..
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