Peak District – The Derbyshire Dales

UK was undergoing a severe heatwave as we entered the first day of the summer. This was an opportunity not to be missed so I set off on a solo trip to the Derbyshire Dales in the Peak District region.  Not having the license to drive made it a bit difficult. The trains took me to Derby and from there I managed a cab ride on to Baslow Village where I booked myself in a quaint, quiet farm-house with the smell of haystack, horses and cows moving about.
The meadows looked gorgeous and so did the village of Baslow. The nearest town was Bakewell. So I hitched a bus ride to the town and decided to go hire a bicycle and go on the Monsal trail. I had to walk down to Hassop where there was a lovely cafe and from where we could hire a bicycle and set-off on the trail.
The trail was of course free of cars of any other motored transport. It was just pedestrians and cyclists. It was the most fascinating bike ride through the tunnels built through the hills.
As I biked on, I passed the various landmarks like the Monsal Viaduct, Cressbrook Mill and Litton Mill.  The option was of course to turn back and return but I just fell like going on till the legs could not take in more after around 10 Kms.

Monsal Viaduct

Cressbrook Mill

One of the Many Tunnels

The bike trail took its toll and I had to stop. After 10 kms of biking, I got the perfect place to stop – a lovely tea shop close to a point past Millers Dale, aptly titled the ‘Secret Tea Garden’. I decided to sit and relax but the relaxation got into me and I was now in no mood to ride back all the way to Hassop or wherever. I asked the tea shop owner to call a cab. Despite the cab drivers reluctance I convinced him to show some consideration and allow the bike to be in the back seat. He saw that he had little option but to drop me to Bakewell.  Worse was to follow as the bus to Baslow village did not allow me to on board the bike. So I had little option but to walk it to Hassops from Bakewell and return the bike. I thought it was well worth it as I would be free from any burden and could move freely.  Anyways, planned to retreat into Baslow and relax.

I retreated into a village pub in Baslow and enjoyed watching the Germany Vs Sweden FIFA World Cup game over some dinner and drinks, which rounded off with a great Toni Kroos free-kick right at the climax to seal the game for Germany.
The next day was most relaxing as I set off on a walk around the village of Baslow.