So, we have omitted a couple of places we have been. Not for any reason apart from time to add the content since we had such a busy week. Therefore, we are catching up with our trip to the Peak District.
My sister, Julie, was able to spend time with us this week. Julie had her cottage a mile or so away in Chapel-en-le-Frith. We were in Chinley, High Peak.
Travel up to the Peak District
Traveling up to the peak district, we took our time. We planned a stop in Milton Keynes. This gave me the opportunity to tick two items off my bucket list. Bletchley Park and the National Museum of Computing is right next door. The three of us went to Bletchley, but Karen and Julie elected not to visit the Computing Museum!
Milton Keynes Dons (Doubletree Hotel)
The Hilton Doubletree Hotel is built into the Milton Keynes Dons stadium. Both of our rooms had views of the pitch. Unfortunately, there were no matches on while we were there. We did see the grounds personnel taking many steps with a lawn mower, creating the stripes on the pitch. The day we checked out, it looked like training was going to take place.
While in Milton Keynes, I took the advantage of checking off two items on my bucket list. The first was the visit to Bletchley Park. The second was to visit the National Computing Museum.
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Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park was involved in codebreaking in WW II. Without this code-breaking, I may have grown up speaking German! The movie, “The Imitation Game,” was about the codebreakers and the Bombe helping to crack the Enigma machine codes and Nazi Germany encrypted messages.
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National Museum of Computing
The National Museum of Computing (TNMOC) is home to the world’s most extensive collection of working historic computers. After my time in the Royal Navy, I worked for ICL. The first system I trained on was the 2900 system. An ICL 2966 system is at the Museum with all of its peripherals. I could take lots of time writing about my time here.
The high points: A working Bombe and a great volunteer (Dave, I think) explaining the operation. ICL system. My first computer, a VIC 20. Colossus Gallery. Volunteers who love to talk to you.
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Chinley, Peak District
The cottage we were staying in has some beautiful views across the valley. However, as described on the website, it was rustic! It needed a good clean and an update. This was the only place we had an issue with.
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Bakewell
Yes, Bakewell. The home of the Bakewell tart and pudding, which both were extremely good.
What came first, the Pudding or the tart? Home of the Bakewell Tart.
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Hope Valley & Peveril Castle
We visited Hope Valley, and I found Peveril Castle. Not much of the castle is left, and I have no idea how townspeople would walk up that hill daily!
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Whaley Bridge
As we traveled around the area, we went through Whaley Bridge several times. We noticed several canals in the area, so we stopped to take some photos.
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Ladybower & Derwent Reservoir
On another beautiful day, a trip out to Ladybower and Derwent Reservoir. Training for the low-level flying for the Dambuster raids on Nazi Germany’s Ruhr Valley in 1943 took place at Derwent Dam.
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Lyme House and Park
Another fine day out at Lyme Park.
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Eyam Plague Village
Eyam village has some fascinating history during the plague and an interesting museum. They practiced isolation and used to exchange food with a neighbouring village at the boundary stone (image below).
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Ilam Park
Ilam (ilam) Park is a National Trust property with the house used as a YHA and, therefore, not accessible. However, the grounds were still accessible.
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Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House is probably the most notable place we visited this week, ending our trip in the High Peak district.
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What was next?
We headed towards Lincoln to have a visit with my Uncle and Aunt. It has been some time since we caught up with them in person. Julie was going to take the train back to Ashford from Lincoln, and we headed to our next cottage at Pateley Bridge in the Yorkshire Dales. We already posted on our time there.
Currently, we are in the cottage in High Halden outside of Ashford. We will be here a few more days, then down to Southampton to board a cruise back to the US. We still have several photos of us out with the family around Ashford to post. That is something I can do on the cruise.