Non dancing weekend

A few years ago the dance team realised that we enjoyed going away together for the weekend, but sometimes the dancing got in the way. So, we organised a non dancing weekend. We went to the grouse and claret pub at Rowsley near Chatsworth where's there's a nice little camp site, and we've been going back ever  since. Last weekend was our annual pilgrimage, and the routine is usually the same.

Arrive Friday afternoon/evening, out the tent up in the rain (well often), have a relaxing drink in the gazebo after the rain has cleared up, and then go for a meal in the pub. Then, its more socialising in the gazebo, often with a few songs and tunes.

Saturday we walk into Bakewell - there's a number of different routes, and this time we went the steep hill way. After a stop to feed the ducks, its lunch in one of the pubs, and then an hour or two for some retail therapy.  Then - a breal with tradition, shock horror. Normally we walk back along the river to the campsite, but this time we caught a bus to Stanton-in-the-Peak. We were reliably told by Donald, the walk organiser, that the bus took us almost to the top of the hill. Well, he was technically correct, depending on how you define "almost". After a pretty steep climb we got to Nine Ladies Stone Circle, where the prehistoric stones made a good resting place. There was also an interesting tree, decorated with all sorts of stuff, including a dedication to Cthullu, which amused my son no end, but I've no idea why!

It was all downhill from there, back to the campsite, but on the way being one of the the dogs - a lovely gentle greyhound called Gem  - thought she could get through a gap at the side of a stile but couldn't and got stuck. Some very delicate handling and persuading her to go backwards eventually got her out.  Then everyone had a well earned rest.

The sun had shone on us all day, and continued to do so for the traditional BBQ. Everybody chips in and we have loads of food, followed by toasted marshmallows.  We also had pavlova, and I was challenged to whisk the cream with a fork, which I did, and tipped the bowl over someone's head to prove it was stiff enough. I'm glad it was! A rather more spectacular event was when I bent down near the BBQ to try and stop it wobbling, and set my hair on fire! Well, I'm told it was spectacular, of course I couldn't see it, but I could smell it!

More socialising, singing and playing, and this time it stayed nice enough for us not to huddle in the gazebo, which we've done before!

On Sunday  some of us walked to Chatsworth, via coffee in the garden centre, and had a picnic by the river, watching the deer who were on the opposite bank. A short shower had us running for the trees, but afterwards we were back on the riverbank with the kids paddling in the river.

A leisurely walk back, and a pleasant evening with those who were staying the Sunday night. A meal in the pub, a few drinks, and a not too late night. next morning we packed up quickly and were back to work by 11 - not bad really, and a great weekend with not a clog in sight!