Hello everyone.
Firstly, a big "thank you" to everyone who sent messages last week. You are all lovely people, and I loved reading your comments when we got home. Thank you, also to D for posting them for me.
Hubby and I have just returned from our short holiday break in and around Matlock, Derbyshire. What a week it was, with temperatures rocketing over 30 degrees. We had intended to do a lot more walking in such a beautiful part of the country, but instead we visited a few places and will save the walking for another time when the weather is cooler.
I have lots of photos to share, but I haven't had a chance to sort them out and collect my holiday memories together yet. It may be next weekend before I get that done. Meanwhile, this is just one of the intriguing places we saw on our journey.
This is the crooked spire of the parish church in Chesterfield. The spire stands 228 feet high and leans 9 feet 6 inches from the true centre. The tower is both twisted and leaning. There seem to be various theories as to why the tower is twisted in such an unusual way: construction methods, a lack of skilled workmen at the time of construction, and the addition of heavier lead sheeting at a later date, to name but a few. I also understand that the tower is featured on Chesterfield F C's crest, and the image is used by various local businesses.
The photos were taken from the passenger seat of our car, hoping for once that the traffic lights would stay red long enough for me to take the pictures.
Back home, the garden looked a little parched, and we spent a long time with watering cans trying to resuscitate thirsty plants. Most seem to have perked up now, so that is good news. Also, all the washing and drying got done super quickly. It looks like the heat is due to continue for a while longer here, so just a little early pottering next week for me before retreating indoors again.
Wherever you are, I hope you have a great week and that you are safe and well.
B x
It looks like you and your hubby had a wonderful trip! I am so happy for you! Beautiful photos! The heat is here in Montreal, Canada as well and is not letting up anytime soon! Many parts of the world are dealing with this heat, and all we can do is stay well hydrated and cool, as much as possible. This requires spending more time indoors, where it is safe from the intense heat.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your journey. Please stay safe. I am very happy to see your post!
Thank you, Linda. We did have a lovely short holiday last week. The weather was so hot but we made the most of our time and did something everyday. It sounds like you are having similar weather in Montreal. Have a great week and I look forward to sharing more of our trip next time .
DeleteGlad you enjoyed your break, can't wait to see your photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marlene. I will collect my thoughts and photos together and share them next week.
DeleteSo pleased you enjoyed your break.
ReplyDeleteGreat photographs of the crooked spire of the parish church in Chesterfield.
Have a good week ahead, I think it may again be rather warm/hot!
All the best Jan
Glad you enjoyed the two photos, Jan. The crooked spire was quite amazing to see.
DeleteWe had a great week away but I'm hoping it won't be quite so hot this week.
Glad you have had a wonderful time, I'm sure you visited some lovely places. I know Chesterfield very well, as a child my family lived in a village about eight miles away, both Chesterfield and Sheffield were visited often for shopping as the buses ran through our village. I once went to a magical candlelit carol service in the church:)
ReplyDeleteNeither hubby or I had been to Chesterfield before so it was lovely to make our first visit. We had spent most of the day at Bolsover castle but I think we will be returning to the area before too long to see more. The candlelit carol service sounds beautiful.
DeleteBolsover Castle is wonderful to visit, when I was a child we could walk onto the ruins for free or for a few pennies. The village we lived in was just a couple of miles away so we would visit the shops and market there. Just a couple of miles from our village too was Hardwick Hall now National Trust. So much history:)
DeleteThe guide who took us around the castle and grounds was very good and bought the ruins to life for us. We visited Hardwick Hall last year and enjoyed that too. You have some lovely places that are close by for you to visit.
DeleteI love that spire! Definitely somewhere I need to visit :)
ReplyDeleteI wasn't expecting to see that spire but it is very impressive. Next time we visit Chesterfield, I would love to go inside and join one of the guided tours.
DeleteIt's a lovely area to visit. Such a shame it was too darn hot to make the most of it
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we were able to visit some places but by midday it was far too hot to be walking far. Still there is plenty to look forward too next time we visit, hopefully in slightly cooler weather.
DeleteAh the crooked spire of Chesterfield. We often travelled on the train from Leeds to Leicester to visit my mum's side of the family when I was a child and we would always, always play the game of who is the first to spot the crooked spire as we travelled along, haha, happy memories. Derbyshire is such a lovely part of the country, I'm looking forward to seeing what else you got up to.
ReplyDeleteThat would have been a fun game. I wonder who was quickest off the mark with the spire spotting. 🤣
DeleteGlad it bought back good memories for you.
Bev, it sounds like you had such a lovely little break, even if the heat made things a bit challenging. The crooked spire is fascinating — your photos turned out great, especially considering you were hoping for long red lights. I always enjoy the way you share these interesting places you visit. I’m glad your garden perked back up after some TLC, and I hope the temperatures ease soon so you can enjoy a bit more pottering outdoors. Wishing you a cool and gentle week ahead.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carrie. When we booked our little adventure we were not expecting it to be that hot. We still managed to have a lovely time together and saw some new places. The spire was quite a surprise, I wasn't expecting to see that! There has been some recovery in the garden and hopefully temperatures will start to cool a little before too long. Meanwhile some shade under the parasol and a long cool drink is good for me while the sun continues to shine brightly. Take care and enjoy the weekend.
DeleteWhat a wonderful trip, even if the heat slowed down the walking plans.
ReplyDeleteThe Chesterfield spire is amazing.
Glad your plants bounced back after their big drink, and I hope you get some cooler days soon for pottering in the garden.
Hello Veronica. Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comment. It is good to find a new blog friend. I didn't know about the Chesterfield spire before we visited the area. Just goes to show that there are always new things to discover if you can get out and about.
DeleteThe garden is slowly recovering and I'm hoping that next week will be a tiny bit cooler. Enjoy your weekend.
The church spire is amazing. I wonder if is gradually twisting still or if it has stabilised.
ReplyDeleteI just checked on the National Churches Trust website for St Mary & All Saints in Chesterfield and they say it is still moving very slowly but is safe. There are tours of the tower to the base of 'crooked spire' on Fridays and Saturdays.
DeleteThe only thing I know about Matlock is that my sister when she was 13, went there on a camping trip with her school. I wonder if she saw the spire? I will never know but I am glad to get a picture of it. It certainly looks a pretty town. Thanks so much, I look forward to more photos as time and energy allows.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise. I'm sure your sister had a great ime in Derbyshire when she was camping. It is a really beautiful part of the country to visit.
DeleteThat church tower is fascinating, along with the beautiful half-timbered houses.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to hearing and seeing more about your trip.
Wishing you all a happy weekend, Viola.
The twisted church spire is facinating to see. I wonder how much more it could twist?
DeleteEnjoy the rest of the weekend and then next week.