To and fro to the UK

Last month we paid a long overdue visit to our old Derbyshire haunts, and to Wirksworth, the town where we lived for 26 years.  This is far longer than either of us had lived anywhere else, and some of our family still live there which is testament to its attractions. 

As we arrived I wrote on Facebook “Safe here in Wirksworth with friends and family after a trouble-free journey: such a treat to spend time with family and to catch up with old friends wine tasting and more. In a small place like this there are links and connections everywhere”.  We just loved being with our son Sam and Sas and the grandchildren.

Staying in our old home and now successful b&b in Coldwell St for a few days (a deserved plug for No 37 B&B, and thanks to proprietors Chris and Denise who bought the house from us 10 years ago) it was lovely to be surrounded by familiar sights, old stone walls in sunshine, and the sound of the odd car going too fast down the street during the night! Plus ça change... but MANY more cars parked down towards the station.  People explained variously that the new Co-op had restricted parking which forces cars out onto the street, and that young people living with parents brought extra cars into town - this was certainly starting to be evident in Bolehill before we moved down the hill in the late 90s.

We always liked Wirksworth for its community activity and projects. On a rare sunny afternoon we were reminded of it walking in Stoney Wood, one of the most tangible results of it, a real pleasure to see a quarry transformed in this way.  

We were also reminded by the changes afoot for food shops at the bottom of the Dale how precarious businesses can be in Wirksworth. Ever since we first moved there in 1980 there have been changes forced I guess by lack of sales especially over the winter months. All the more admiration then for those who keep going and campaign for bank, PO and so on, and who bring people into the town with cinema, festivals and other events. Three cheers for creative spirit!

We moved on for a few days to see another son Jeff and his wife Fi in Mayfield, and explored the Dove valley and western fringes of Derbys despite the rain, before signing off from Derbys after a great week with family and friends. We drove many of the roads we knew well in working days, and which our family still use regularly - marvellous scenery around Wirksworth and across the Derwent valley on the way to Belper, Nottingham, Buxton, Alfreton and Ashbourne. We'll be back of course.