Friday 8th February (Day 1)
A Trip away without Billina and unfortunately Dave & Gill ( Gill had to work) Around 10/30am we were off with Resa and Eric in our car 'Up North' (to the 'Dark Lands'). We were visiting Sue and Alan for the weekend and Chris and Graham would also be there (in their Motorhome) with the new addition to their family, Maisie, a cockapoo. The journey is first the M11, A14 and A1 to negotiate. Not sure where everyone was but apart from a slow bit for roadworks on the A14 it was an easy journey. We stopped at some services for lunch and then off again; arriving at about 2.15pm. What followed was lots of chatting and by about 4.00pm a few alcoholic drinks had appeared. After dinner we sat around the dining room table playing UNO and laughing and, well ,the odd drink until midnight when we went to our beds.
Saturday 9th February (Day 2)
The day started with a 'big boys' breakfast, more of brunch by the time it was eaten. Then it was off for, well, it depended on the car you were in. Car 1: the walkers went to Ladybower and Derwent Dam for a walk of about six miles - Chris, Eric, Graham and me. Car 2: the injured for a drive around the same area - Chris (bad knee), Resa (poorly side), Alan (dodgy tummy) and Sue (hates walking) plus Maisie. This seemed a simple task. However, I am of the opinion that the supplying of food and weapons to the British Army in Afghanistan would have been less problematic! Only some people could drive some cars, and other (non) problems were also aired. Eventually we left. The weather for the whole weekend was going to be hit and miss as Storm Erik was coming. On route as we drove through Sheffield Eric asked "What is the difference between Bramhall Lane and Hillsborough?" (meaning distance). Without missing a beat Graham replied "Class". We all collapsed laughing. We had a 25 mile drive and parked up setting off with a chilyl wind. By the end we were all hot as the weather had improved so much. Part way we walked to the top of Derwent Dam. This area was used in 1943 by 617 Squadron (the Dambusters) led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson. This is because the Derwent Dam is very similar to the Rhur Dam in Germany (the target) and even the reservoir / hillsides are similar. This was the Barnes Wallis 'Bouncing Bomb' raid. Eight crews were lost; 53 men were killed, 3 were taken prisoner. Eighty men survived the raid. Of these, 22 were killed serving in 617 Squadron later in the war and 10 more were killed while serving with other squadrons. Only 48 men who took part in the raid survived the war. After just over two hours we were back at the car and off to 'The Cheshire Cheese' to meet the others. As we pulled up the others were getting back into the car as the pub was rammed. Off to choice number 2 - The Old Hall. This was a nice pub with so many dogs ,all big, that we were clearly going to be welcomed with our Maisie. A sit and chat over a beer and then back for a take away Chinese followed by a three games of Logo (joined by Sue and Al's son Paul and his partner, Marie).The end result was 2 -1 to the men (apparently we had 'two year old questions' and the ladies didn't). Bed was just before midnight.
Sunday 10th February (Day 3)
So after breakfast we said goodbye to Chris, Graham and Maisie as Chris' knee was so bad she could not continue and needed to sit and rest. This meant the remaining six went in the one car to Eyam. This is a village that in 1665 received some bolts of material which had the ticks that caused the Great Plague (yes it wasn't rats but ticks on them). Soon after the Tailor fell ill and died of the plague. The vicar Mompesson got the villagers to agree to self quarantine so as not to spread the plague. The result was to contain it but at great loss to the village. One young lady, Emmot met her sweetheart from the next village and met at either side of a river. Eventually she persuaded him to stay away until the plague ran its course - she died. There is a stained glass window that shows the event, from receiving he with to the tailor dying to the whole ramifications of this. After this we drove to the Ladybower Inn for Sunday lunch. Then back to watch the England .v. France Six Nations match (recorded). 44 - 8 to England. Tea was next followed by the second round of the Uno World Championship.
Monday 11th February (Day 4)
Time to go home today and after toast for breakfast we had an easy, trouble free, car journey home getting in by 1.30pm as again the roads were relatively clear. A great long weekend was had by all. Thank you to our great hosts Sue & Alan.