Across the Peak

Well, we covered quite a bit of ground again today. I got up early this morning and went on a cold, foggy run along the banks of the Severn before breakfast. Shrewsbury was completely socked in- which kinds made it even more unreal. It was still foggy after breakfast when mom and i walked back in to check out the town. Half timbered buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries were the main feature, crowding the narrow High Street and Fish Streets. Many of the buildings from the 18th century on were of warm pink sandstone, including the abbey that was home to the Cadfael character. Unfortunately most of the abbey was destroyed by Henry VIII- when he went to wipe out the catholic church, that included all of the religious orders. Bummer.

From Shrewsbury we drove east through Newcastle and into the Peak district. Beautiful rocky hills with stone- fenced pastures full of sheep, cows, and the occasional pony. Mom wanted to see a stone circle called Arbor Low, but our hunger took us to a roadside restaurant called the Duke of York... delicious steak pie for me, a brie and veggie patty for mom - something like a cheese and veggie pastry pocket. Refreshed, we hike around arbor low and got back in the car and started driving north. 

Arbor Low stone circle, circa 2000 BC

I realized somewhere along the way that we were in the miserable half of Derbyshire, so we detoured to see Chatsworth house. That's Darcy's house, for those of you who have not seen the recent Pride and Prejudice. We arrived late and didn't go in, but the grounds were worth it by themselves! Film does not do the place justice. 

Now it's late and I'm becoming long winded, so in short we drove from there to York, had a snack at Hole in the Wall pub, and are crashing in preparation for a big day of York exploration tomorrow!