Today was the first time I got Anna to go out of the house since March 12th.... I fired up the R80GS and we set off to explore some of the hidden back roads not too far from home. The road from Uttoxeter to Ashbourne goes past the HQ of JCB at Rocester, after which the road is less well cared for and the surface is breaking up in quite a few places. Ashbourne is looking pretty at the moment with red, white and blue bunting strung across the main streets, but we weren't stopping today, we took the road towards Carsington and Wirksworth. As you reach the highest section of this road there is a turning to the left marked with a brown sign inscribed with the legend: Middleton Top This is where the winding engine for the railway was situated, a static engine hauled the wagons up the steep incline, the best part of 1000ft. There is a visitor area with a small cafe where we stopped for a coffee and looked at the information boards because the engine room is closed at the moment. When things get back to more normal hopefully they will reopen it, the beam engine has been restored by enthusiasts.
Leaving the High peak Trail behind we headed across the hills towards Loncliffe via Brassington. Then we headed into new territory, although Anna's family farm in the area, we took lanes we had never been down before, through the village of Elton, winding down the hill and then at Dale View we took the track that leads up the steep bank and winds via some tight, steep hairpins without the benefit of tarmac on all the road. The views across the hills towards Buxton and the drystone walls of Chelmorton in the distance are amazing on a good day like today.
We dropped down into Youlgrave and I rode the bike onto the tiny, ancient clapper bridge for a photo. Just because.
From Youlgreave we went via Alport to Bakewell for lunch and were lucky to get a tabe straight away, because the great unwashed were all queuing for fish and chips. We had roast pork and a beer....then an ice cream for pudding! No visit to Bakewell is complete without hanging over the bridge admiring the fabulous wild rainbow trout that breed in the River Wye, one of only two rivers in this country where they do. The size of them has to be seen to believed, but then they freeload off sandwiches from the hordes of emmetts. Several are in double figures and fin perfect. I parked the bike for another bridge picture with the lovers locks.
Leaving the High peak Trail behind we headed across the hills towards Loncliffe via Brassington. Then we headed into new territory, although Anna's family farm in the area, we took lanes we had never been down before, through the village of Elton, winding down the hill and then at Dale View we took the track that leads up the steep bank and winds via some tight, steep hairpins without the benefit of tarmac on all the road. The views across the hills towards Buxton and the drystone walls of Chelmorton in the distance are amazing on a good day like today.
We dropped down into Youlgrave and I rode the bike onto the tiny, ancient clapper bridge for a photo. Just because.
From Youlgreave we went via Alport to Bakewell for lunch and were lucky to get a tabe straight away, because the great unwashed were all queuing for fish and chips. We had roast pork and a beer....then an ice cream for pudding! No visit to Bakewell is complete without hanging over the bridge admiring the fabulous wild rainbow trout that breed in the River Wye, one of only two rivers in this country where they do. The size of them has to be seen to believed, but then they freeload off sandwiches from the hordes of emmetts. Several are in double figures and fin perfect. I parked the bike for another bridge picture with the lovers locks.