Back to the Beginning

Leaving Portsmouth behind, we headed onto the motorway and pointed the Vauxhall north.  I’m amazed at the quality and diversity of the roads here but the amount of traffic, particularly trucks (lorries), is frightening.  However, everybody seems to be patient and blends in, moves over, signals their moves and, above all, is considerate of those around them.  Trucks are restricted to the left lane, unless overtaking and it makes it so much easier to negotiate the motorway, when there is not a B-double in the far right lane.  Whilst it’s not a joy to travel on the motorways, it’s not as frustrating as it might seem.

The landscape changes significantly, although there’s been such a wet winter here, that everything is so green and fertile.  Gradually, we worked our way up into the hinterland through Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and into Derbyshire, where the Princess was born and raised.  I can’t believe how green everything is and the sheep are fat, the lambs are abundant and the fields are well stocked.  Eventually we reached Derby, where Jules was born and I swear there was a tear in the eye – perhaps it was just a speck of dust!  82 Broadway, Duffield, Derbyshire, England, The World, The Universe, floating in space, was our next stop and again, I swear, a tear appeared!  I’m happy that she wants to share this with me.

We arrived in Turnditch, Belper, where Jules’ childhood friend Kay lives with her husband Steve, and the waterworks started again!  Jules and Kay started school together in Infants school in 1962, were as close as sisters for many years and have kept in touch ever since.  Kay and Steve have a lovely house in an outlying area, with only a dozen or so homes on large blocks, and surrounded by green fields, stone fences and beautiful trees and hedges.  Some hours of catching up ensued, with lots of family stories and when Steve arrived, some more stories of family and friends, as Steve is very much a part of the history as well.  A visit to the local pub followed and many more stories were unearthed.  Home to a wonderful dinner and several bottles of ‘something scrumptious’ and a very late night!

The following day we visited the local seat of power – Chatsworth Hall – the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.  Talk about opulence!!!!!  Outside of the Royal residences and museums, I’ve never seen such an incredible display of money and influence.  Much of Derbyshire actually belongs to the Devonshires!  The ‘residence’ dates back to the 1600s and is absolutely magnificent, with the estates, furnishings and artworks worth possibly hundreds of millions of pounds.  Absolutely mind-boggling!  The gardens are extensive and quite beautiful and the driveway to the house is miles long with grazing sheep and deer. 

A visit to the “Cross Keys” for dinner that night was another great experience, with local food that was beautifully cooked and very delicious.  The local pubs seem to be very good with local fare and I guess that’s how they survive.  There seems to be half a dozen little pubs in the smallest of towns.  Another late night ensued with more stories & some Ardbeg consumed.  Thursday dawned and the girls decided to visit the outlet stores after visiting Kay's dad whilst Steve and I went to Donington Grand Prix track to the GP Museum – an amazing collection of race cars and a private collection of the Wheatcroft family, who run the facilities.  To add to the spectacle, former GP  racing driver Derek Bell appeared, the race track resounded to the sound of racing engines and a great time was had by all.

That night, Kay & Steve were off to an Eagles concert in Birmingham, so we decided to catch up with Col & Penny Coridas, who are in Yorkshire (a little over an hour’s drive away) on a home exchange.  We met up half way in The Manners pub in Bakewell and we had a great night.  I guess you could almost call it a make-up (in Rotary parlance), but the food was much better than normal.  Col, of course, is a very funny man and we had a lot of laughs, along with quite a few glasses of beer and wine.  We drove back to Turnditch, but Col & Penny decided to stay the night in town.  The following morning, after another of Kay’s wonderful breakfasts, goodbyes were said, tears were shed, yet again, and we headed north for the Lake District and the town of Ambleside on Lake Windermere.

Kay and Steve, with the Princess and the Pauper, along with the cockerpoo, Pasha