Precious Time with Loved Ones

Hi all! I was lucky enough to have my parents come up to stay with me at the end of July, a great friend come to visit me for a few days over my birthday weekend at the beginning of August, and then I have just had 10 days off clinic to spend some precious time with my fabulous daughter this summer, so I thought I’d just share a few of the highlights with you all.

I haven’t settled as well up here in Derbyshire as I hoped I would, and I miss everyone at home so very much - so it has been really lovely to have folk up to visit me, and to share some special times.

When my mum and dad came up, we had a lovely afternoon at Sheldon Village Day. So much effort made by all the locals, with tombolas, welly wanging (!), egg throwing, a ball race, classic cars, raffles, a brass band, dog show, book stall, BBQ and a beautiful floral display at the lovely church here to name but a few!

I also took mum and dad to see a couple of the welldressings here (a lovely Derbyshire tradition), as well as popping them into Ashbourne and to the beautiful village of Tissington, where we had a drink and bowl of lovely chips (!) at the gorgeous tea rooms there, as well as looking in their lovely craft shop and candle shop. We also had a wander around the beautiful villages of Youlgreave and the market in Bakewell.

I drove them up to Monsal Head to show them the amazing view from there too, as well as then going to the lovely village of Tideswell, where we saw the wonderful Cathedral and had a nice wander round. Then we stopped off at Eyam (known as the Plague village) for a little while too! We packed a lot into a long weekend! It was really wonderful to see them – I miss them both so much.

My lovely friend Sarah then came to stay for a few nights at the beginning of August, which happened to be over my birthday weekend, so that was really lovely. The first night our friend Janie (who lives up here) also came over and brought us all dinner which was a real treat. I had to work some of the days Sarah was here, but we made the most of all the time we had. My lovely friend Nigel also surprised me with gifts on the doorstep on my birthday when Sarah was here (he caught us in our PJs!), so that was a wonderful surprise, having not seen him for a really long time.

Sarah and I went to see the beautiful welldressings at the gorgeous village and church at Stoney Middleton and also at Bradwell. We also went to Eyam village to see the cottages and have a stroll around there.

On my birthday we spent a wonderful day at Chatsworth House together (Janie and her hubby kindly bought me membership when I moved here), so myself and Sarah shared a lovely whole day looking at the wonderful house and artifacts inside. It really is the most beautiful property – the rooms are spectacular and take your breath away. My favourites are the painted hall and the library.

We also spent a long time exploring all the magnificent garden areas, lakes and waterfalls there. There is so much to see and enjoy – and all the staff there are so helpful and full of information too. We popped into Chatsworth Farm Shop on our way home too for a browse (too expensive to buy anything!).

Sarah and I also managed to spend some time in Bakewell while she was here, and she spent a long time making friends with all the geese we have along the river by the bridge here (!). Then, thanks to another lovely friend Becky, we had a fabulous meal in Ashford-in-the-Water too, to celebrate both of our birthdays (Sarahs was in July), so that was a huge treat for us both. It was wonderful to have so much quality time together.

Then finally, I took some time off work to spend with Molly at the end of this month. We had a few days here in Derbyshire together to start with (while I was still having to work the daytimes in clinic), but we had a couple of days out together. We went to see a drag night in Tupton and a live cinema showing of ‘Kinky Boots’ at Buxton cinema and had a wander around there. Huge thanks to our friends Neil and Rozzy, who sent me money for my birthday that paid for all our treats while in Derbyshire (and a few more besides!).

We also popped into Matlock, so Molly could go to the lovely music shop there, and then I took her to Tissington, so she could see how beautiful that village is too. We also spent some time with a lovely neighbours beautiful goats here in Sheldon! Molly adores goats so that was brilliant – they were adorable! I also introduced her to the lovely cows that live in the field next to the house I’m renting – they are so sweet. I’ve not been able to eat beef since moving up here!

Then we headed off to Hornsea for 3 nights stay in a lovely little Airbnb cottage near the beach, and to catch up with our lovely friends Betty, Jim and their family who live there. The weather wasn’t great, but I just love being by the sea whatever!

They took us for an ice cream and to Skipsea beach too, which I completely fell in love with. Jim also surprised Molly by gifting her an amazing guitar that he had made himself! Then they cooked a wonderful BBQ for us all which was yummy!

We also visited a beautiful place nearby called Wassand Hall while in Hornsea. A lovely interesting house, set in beautiful grounds with a stunning walled garden. The tea and cake there was really good too!

We then had a night back at Mollys student accommodation in Leeds, then headed off to York for 3 nights for a little city break in a great little self-catering apartment overlooking the river, thanks to my lovely mum and dad who paid for that for my birthday treat.

We walked around some of the city walls, and visited the incredible York Minster Cathedral. What an impressive place that is. It is absolutely huge – there was a service going on while we were wandering around too. There are so many different areas of it to explore and the energy is very special in there.

We also enjoyed a wander through the Shambles of course! You can’t visit York and not go there! What a very beautiful cobbled street full of quaint little shops. Our favourite of course was the Chocolate shop, where you could get a ‘Chocolate Shot’ for £3. A lovely little chocolate cup filled to the brim with warm melted chocolate – it doesn’t get better than that!

On our last day we also went to the ‘York Chocolate Story’ and had a little evening cruise up the river to finish off our break. We also walked some more of the city walls on the last day too.

It was so special to be able to spend a little time together after over two months apart. We had a lot to catch up on! I’ve only just dropped her back to the station but I miss this special soul already :o(