As a climber I’ve spent time on the bleak gritstone edges of Derbyshire but experienced a gentler side of the county on a recent trip to the Dales north of Matlock.
After seeing the forecast, I took an old Leica loaded with black and white film in anticipation of brooding black cloud, textured drystone walls and industrial heritage.
But as often seems the case, the Met Office were off the mark and I switched to colour film and also used my digital Canon.
Chatsworth House was stunning. Not just the interiors, but also the grounds sculpted by Capability Brown.
New life this Spring.
A couple of other gems were this bookshop…
And the John Smedley factory, which was worth the trip on its alone.
The people were friendly too. Haven’t been called ‘duck’ since my gran died. This is our nextdoor neighbour in Bonsall, Eric.
