5 October 2017 –  Trip to Buxton

We discovered that some trains were running even though there was a strike, so we travelled by train as the journey time was much quicker.

          

The highlights were discovering the shopping arcade, returning to Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shop and having a refreshing drink at Hargreaves Edwardian Tea Rooms.

We traveled to Buxton on the train from Manchester Piccadilly

The weather was showery (unusual for a Thursday) and there was a biting cold wind.

Following a look around Spring Gardens we headed to The Old Club House for lunch

Unfortunately one of the group members did not enjoy his Beef Ale Pie which was gristly

The waitress raised this with the chef and a free desert of apple crumble and custard was provided by way of an apology.

After lunch we had a wander around the shopping arcade and I purchased some crystals

We went in Mr Simms Sweet Shop and I purchased some rum and raisin fudge to share with the group

Later we visited the site of Foucault Pendulum which is located at the “University of Derby” Buxton  unfortunately the pendulum  had been taken down and is only on view at certain times of the year

Foucault Pendulum

 

28 September 2017 – Trip to Windermere

Due to the train strike scheduled for 5 October, we decided to travel to Windermere this week and go to Buxton next week. And what a glorious day we had, including a cruise from Bowness to Ambleside.

As a tourist spot we found that the food and drink prices were generally inflated in the Lake District. A swan finished off my ice cream cone, but he snapped it up so quickly, that we couldn’t get a photograph in time.

The group had an enjoyable day trip to Windermere Bowness and Ambleside on Thurs 28th Sept

We travelled by train from Manchester Piccadilly

The weather was perfect and it was a good idea to change the trip from Buxton which we will now be visiting next week

It took us ages to find somewhere to enjoy lunch as all the venues seemed expensive

We discovered there is what appeared to be an excellent chippie at Ambleside and there were certainly plenty of customers enjoying the large sized fish

Had we  known about  this we would have had lunch there

We had a lovely boat trip across Lake Windermere to Ambleside on board MSV Swan

When we arrived we had a look around and I spotted a delightful shop selling crystals

I purchased a nice sized onyx and a lovely crystal called Labradorite

21 September 2017 – Trip to Gorton Monastery

Gorton Monastery is a Grade II listed building and in 1997 was placed on the World Monuments Fund Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites in the World alongside Pompeii, the Taj Mahal and the Valley of the Kings.

However, since the Franciscan friars moved out, the corporates have moved in. The building was closed due to preparations for a private party and we were refused entry (except for the gift shop and cafe). After a complaint we were allowed to look into the main building, but every move was thwarted by “Don’t Stand There – health and safety”.

The day was not spoilt as we had tea and cake at the Richmond Tea Rooms.