8th - 11th June 2006 - Peak District Park Hall Manor, Little
Hayfield June 2006 saw us returning to our Peak District roots, at Park Hall Manor, Little Hayfield, in the Dark Peak. The Manor lived up to its name, marking a significant step up from previous weekends in terms of accommodation. The wood-panelled lounge with professional bar was particularly noteworthy. Given that it was one of the hottest weekends of the year so far we were also able to take full advantage of the extensive grounds and relive our Swingball-playing childhoods. The only downside was the peacocks squawking at the crack of dawn, ensuring an early start to the day for all those sleeping at the front of the house! |
Front of Park Hall Manor |
One of the Lounges |
Most people arrived on Thursday night, and Friday saw us walking up and round Kinder reservoir in soaring
temperatures. The views were well worth the climb. Donna chose a very good day for her first pukka XRamsoc
walking experience, and also succeeding in befriending a goat and a very enthusiastic dog.
Dinner on Friday night was a somewhat ambitious stuffed lemon chicken affair, courtesy of Jamie Oliver. It entailed much running back and forth between the ground and first floor kitchens, but the end product seemed to go down well. |
On Saturday most people headed out for another walk (Andy and Matthew already having been out for a two
hour stroll before most of us were up). We started with a drink at the Snake Inn to set us on our way,
almost having the place to ourselves due to England playing their first World Cup group game, before striking
off up into the hills.
The Collyers meanwhile went on an excursion to the local Tesco, returning with a ready-to-assemble BBQ. Despite Andy’s claims that they had run out of disposable BBQs, we all knew that this was but a ruse so that he was able to spend a happy afternoon constructing it, with Matthew as apprentice. |
Lunch On Saturday |
View on Saturday |
Andy W did a sterling job as chief chef and burger-turner, whilst the rest of us lounged around on the lawn until the insects became too unbearable and we had to retreat inside and interrupt the BB viewing. We were sorry to leave our manor house on Sunday morning, having got quite used to the high life. After tracking down Kate, who had got left behind in Chapel-en-le-Frith, we stopped off for a pub lunch before heading our separate ways. The last thing we saw was Al disappearing over the horizon on his shiny newly-purchased motorbike… |
Thanks to Liz for organising the weekend and such amazing accommodation. It will be hard to match! Photos of the weekend can be found in the gallery. AF |
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