After a brief re-visit to Yorkshire, the destination was the Peak District, first staying near the Dark Peak area in Hayfield and after moving south to the White Peak. Roads were great to drive on and so green with the steep sided cliffs and at times tunnels of trees over the road.
I came to cross paths with some inspiring solo female travellers on this leg of the trip, who had changed the direction of their lives for differing reasons. One of these lovely ladies had the same van - twin turquoise Renaults in amongst the bigger, white motor homes. I was ridiculously excited! We also had company on our walk one day with a little pug called Alf and a young black lab called Flokie and their owner. It was a very sedate 6 miles, but little Alf did amazingly! We’ve also had the pleasure of sharing a fire with a fellow camper and enjoying the still, mild evenings.
Our most memorable walk in the north of the area was a planned 8 mile route to take in Kinder Downfall, Kinder Low and Edale Rocks. A wrong turn on the descent meant we ended up in Edale itself where fortunately there was a train station to get us a little closer to the campsite. Poppy fell asleep on the train, but still managed to have the energy to walk the 4 miles back to the van from the station once we got off. The following day was a rest day, with a pub lunch thrown in. Why not?
In the south of the region we were spoilt for canal and riverside footpaths with visits to Bakewell and Matlock Bath thrown in as well.
From the peaks we have returned to the sea. We haven’t been on a beach in what feels like ages, so our next few nights are in Holme-next-to-the sea back in Norfolk. Dad and I have walked the Peddars Way and I’ve walked the Norfolk Coast Path with a friend, so it’s lovely to re-visit this area that even though is in my own home county, I don’t venture to all that much. The photo with Dad was taken back in 2017 on our Peddars Way adventure, again he was making me laugh about something silly. Happy, happy memories.
