Feeling a little Peak-y

I'm full of good food and a little tired after a great Bank Holiday weekend in the Peak District.  Mat and I came home to no sustenance in the house earlier and so thought we would end the long weekend with some nice pub food and beer from our local. Yum!

We drove up on Friday night in torrential rain and was fully prepared to spend most of the weekend visiting stately homes as I wasn't entirely convinced the weather was going to hold out for all the activities we had planned for the weekend - specifically cycling and rock climbing. Mat and I are lucky enough to have mountain bikes that fold in half (similar to this one) so they were packed or rather folded into the car in anticipation.

The weather wasn't great at the start of Saturday morning (rainy) but as we spent most of the morning in Hathersage bimbling about and doing a spot of shopping we didn't mind so much.  Fortunately, by lunch time, the weather had brightened up so we did the 'Tissington Trail' on our bikes. The Tissington Trail runs from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay along the former Ashbourne to Buxton railway line. It's around 13 miles long and although most of it was relatively flat, there were parts of it where my legs did feel it! However, I did it and I was really pleased with myself. I didn't have enough energy left in me to cycle back the 13 miles to the car in Ashbourne so Mat did the honours while I waited at Parsley Hay cycle station for him to pick me up.

We were hoping to eat at a traditional country pub in the evening but it all turned into a bit of a palaver looking for it.  It either had closed down or our sat-nav directed us the wrong route but we couldn't find it so we ended up eating in Chesterfield at an Indian restaurant in the city centre.  The food was very nice and service great but Chesterfield town on a Saturday night was, shall we say, 'interesting'.  With lots of 'interesting' people.  Don't think we will be going back.....it felt a little bit like we were in Dodge at times!

Sunday started off much better weather wise so we ventured over to Stanage to do some climbing.  I wasn't entirely convinced about Stanage as the approach to the rock involved clambering over a bunch of slippery boulders.  And when it absolutely poured down with rain coupled with 60mph winds, I wasn't having any more of it!  I know Stanage is the mecca of trad climbing but to be stuck half way up the rock when four seasons in one day was taking place around me, I wasn't happy. And because Mat was so high up belaying me and the wind blowing so hard we couldn't hear each other so I was getting stressed by that too.  


We decided to go over to Lawrence Field which was a little smaller climbing area and more sheltered and where we had much more fun.  I managed to do a 'Vdiff' (Very Difficult) climb!  I must have looked like a baby hippo climbing up the rock but I did it :-)  I was a little overwhelmed at the top as I had never completed an outdoor climb let alone a 10 metre one.  


We finished the day by going to the cinema where we saw 'Cowboys and Aliens' which although a little cheesy and formulaic at times, Mat and I thoroughly enjoyed.  Come on, its got cowboys AND aliens - a great recipe for a film and you can't really go wrong with Daniel Craig (I had forgotten how handsome he is!) and the legend that is Harrison Ford.  

Today bank holiday Monday was spent doing more climbing at Lawrence Field where I managed to do another 'Vdiff' climb but this time one at 15 metres!  I was absolutely spent by the time I got to the top but I was so pleased I had done it.  I think if I was fitter I could have completed another 'Vdiff' climb but I had to bail out three quarters of the way up as I just had no strength left.

All in all, a great activity weekend and one that this time last year I just couldn't even think about let alone do. I know the climbs I did were easy compared to what other climbers were doing and Mat was very patient with me but I was just concentrating on me and what I could do.  Mat as always was great and I couldn't wish for a better climbing partner - in more ways that one :-)


I just want to get fitter and stronger and my aim is that by the end of the year, I want to be up a climbing grade and a lot lighter and more toned.  Crap, it's in writing so I've got to go for it now!


Pictures to follow...