Peak District- Caves and Castles

August5-6, 2009

We chose to spend the travel day in the Lake District (further from our home) which cut short our time in the Peak District. So with an abbreviated itinerary, we set out from our Hyde hotel.

Eyam

First stop was recommended by a plumber. Sounds funny, eh? But in reality, when you're living over in a foreign country people tend to want to help and to give advice. This town that was recommended perked Jeanne's curiosity as it was famous for being a "Plague Village". Apparently, back in 1665, the plague unintentionally came to Eyam from London in a box of fabric. The townspeople and leaders decided previously that if it came to their town that they would quarantine themselves rather than run into the countryside. They did this in the hopes of keeping the plague from spreading to the outlying communities.

The results were devastating to many families. Out of a population of 350 only 83 survived. One woman had to bury her husband and all of her six children within one week. But they had agreed to bury their own dead to hopefully halt the spread of the disease.

They also had agreed to not meet in church where they sat close together. Instead they were to meet in a natural amphitheater outside of town where they could spread out and yet still hear the preaching. Wow! Their dedication and the courage to live their faith is quite an amazing story in history!


Scott and the kids walked to the outdoor church with little caves in the hillside. Bryce said it was the coolest "church" for how it looked and the history behind it.





Jeanne with shorts and flip-flops on decided not to brave the path strewn with stinging nettle and decided to go into the village and take pictures of the gravesites.






How would you like to live in a house with the postal address of "Plague Cottage"? They even post the plague victim information on the plaques outside. But it does make you thankful to live in a time where they have medicines to combat such dreadful plagues.

Actually, the museum in the town that we visited first had some interesting information that shows that current science questions whether the plague was caused by the rat and its lice as is recorded in history books. The village of Eyam and it's descendents has a higher than normal resistance to the HIV virus. Which could then would mean that the "plague" could actually have been a virus? Who knows...but it is interesting.

After visiting the village, Christina BEGGED to be able to buy a toy plastic RAT. Can you believe it? YUCK! She said it would help her remember this trip... I think we're being manipulated... But this time we didn't give in. So with no stow-away rats on board we headed on to an amazing manor home.

Chatsworth House














Home of the Duke of Devonshire and film site of many famous movies (i.e. the Dutchess and Pride and Prejudice) it is an amazing place.





We took a tour of the house with palatial interiors was amazing. And it was wonderful to be allowed to take photographs (so many of the historic tourist attractions don't).










Room after room was just so lavishly decorated!














Scott and Christina enjoyed dressing up...












and then Madison joined in on the fun!











What muscles! Bryce actually has been teaching Christina how to lift mini-weights and it shows! Maybe someday we'll have a girl shot put champion in our family...












Jeanne loved the library!










Madison practicing to be a tour guide... (pssst... I think the crystal is called Waterford). Actually, you'd make a great tour guide! Even the cave guide thought so, right?






Chatsworth farm and gardens

They had milking demonstrations and even a place for the kids to practice.




But the guinea pigs were the girls favorite!








Bryce thought the chicken with a "fro" was one cool dude...











There was a secret tunnel for the kids to climb up to a massive playground. It was a very popular place.









Madison was having a ripping good time while she was jumping down the slanted cargo nets when...






RIIIIP!

She totally split her jeans practically halfway down her leg! Thankfully, Jeanne had a spare layer shirt that could tie around Madison's waist.







We then went into the gardens to explore. From the house you can see beautiful fountains shooting water high into the air.







But if you look up the hill you can see an amazing staircase cascade and that is where we headed first.








What a creative idea! The kids really enjoyed climbing all the way up.







It was a bit slippery so you had to watch your step. Although Madison and Christina didn't have any problems because they had their grippy Croc shoes which were excellent for this.








Yea! Christina made it to the top!






We walked on to the maze (fun but the Maze at Leeds castle is better), and through the beautiful gardens. They seemed to go on and on. One section looked like a flintstones movie set, another Jurassic Park. There were surprise ponds and paths that wandered and transitioned into formal gardens or sensory gardens (where you were supposed to be able to use all five of your senses). It was a lot of walking, so when closing time hit we were all tuckered out and ready to go back to the hotel.

Fun Day! We love Chatsworth!


Blue John Caverns

The next day was our last day and home was the final destination. So along the way we stopped at one of the Castleton Caverns. This one was known as Blue John Cavern. It is the only place in the world where the Blue John stone is found and mined. It is a very soft purple stone that has to be treated first to make it hard enough to use in jewelry.




Large piece of Blue John stone in the wall of the cavern.




So we went on the tour and enjoyed it but wouldn't highly recom- mend it. We've had several trips to the Mammoth Caves in Kentucky and these were pretty bland in comparison.

BUT... on our way to the Derwent reservoir we passed by some of the other Castleton Caverns and saw a picture of an underground cave boat ride! Oh, how we wished we had gone on that tour! Well... perhaps we can go to this area again some weekend...


Derwent Reservoir







We went in search of a drainage tube for the reservoir. Sometimes it seems we go in search of the strangest of things...








But Jeanne didn't know quite where they were located. So we went further and further into the park. When the road ended we decided to park and walk around. It was lunch time so out came our sandwich makings... and out came the ducks!






We really had a great time feeding the cute honking creatures. Such a simple thing but so much fun!





But Madison got quite upset when a duck flew up and grabbed her most favorite part of the steak slice (from Morrisons)...funny story!





Since we couldn't find what we were looking for and the gift store was closed for lunch we decided to walk on one of their beautiful pathways through the forest. It was so peaceful. And we finally had some sunshine! Woo-hoo!





Once we came back from the walk we were able to ask a park attendant where this drainage hole was. Finally we got some good information and good directions.

However, when we finally got there it wasn't quite as spectacular as the postcard pictures were. It's because the water level wasn't high enough. These tubes are part of the Ladybower reservoir (there are several dams in this area). Anyway, when the water is high enough the water flows over these staircase overflow tubes. The result is quite spectacular when flowing.





But when we were there the water level was low so no splashing...




Well, there always could be a next time! (maybe with bicycles for the great bike paths they had there..)