Let it snow

let it snow, let it snow. It didn't quite make it in time for Christmas, but here in Derbyshire we had lovely covering of snow. This is the view from our flat this morning.

It's great to have snow in the holidays with no worrying about how to get to work. Today we met friends and walked from the village of South Wingfield over fields and past Wingfield Manor, now a ruin and famous for having imprisoned Mary Queen of Scots. It was all so pretty with sunshine and snow and the perfect walk ended with the perfect pint. Well, actually, we tried a couple of the pubs in South Wingfield before heading back to a welcoming fire and late lunch at Sue's.

Chatsworth House at Christmas

Chatsworth is lovely at any time of the year as there always something to do no matter what the weather throws at you. Every year me and my sisters have a Christmas day out instead of buying presents. This year we went to Chatsworth  accompanied by our Dad and had a really nice family day out. We started with lunch at the Tea Cottage in the  Chatsworth village of Edensor (pronouced Ensor - a good bit of Derbyshire for you!). It was a great meal and I can heartily recommend a visit.

We finished our leisurely lunch and pootled up to the house. This year they have an Alice in Wonderland theme for the Christmas decorations. It was a delight for all ages. We certainly had a giggle at the dressing up bit. Even though I say so myself, I looked rather fetching as Tweedle Dee (or Dum) and a lovely time was had by all. I loved that the giant centipede at the entrance had knitted legwarmers on all it's legs!

We rounded the day off with a coffee and giant piece of cake at the tea rooms at Caudwell's Mill Craft Centre at Rowsley, near Bakewell. I took note of the blacksmiths wares - some lovely door handles and knockers for the barns and also some truly stunning glassware at Greenhalgh Glass Workshop and Gallery. There were examples of some glass panels inserted into windows and doors and I could just see this at the barns.