The English touch

I sent out a bunch of Christmas cards and got two back--unsurprisingly, from my English hosts. Politesse! From the way they address the envelope to "Miss" in their wide, curly handwriting, to the way they start their letters:

Sweet. (Sorry for the orientation. Picasa's fault.)

In fog and frost

The goal in returning to Derbyshire was to see the view from Stanage Edge. Remember this scene from Pride & Prejudice? This was it.

But noooooooooo...
Presenting the abominable snowgirl, looking very Dickensian in Viv's hat and scarf (she took the images above while waiting for me in the car), a tramp walking over frosted moorland in below-zero conditions, visibility below 20m. I was scared of losing my way in the dull heather. My clues: frozen puddles and sheep droppings. When I reached the rocky path going up, it was too slippery and I couldn't see ahead, so I turned back.

It was still a very good visit. My hostess picked up a couple of Christmas trees and we had a potluck dinner with her friends that turned out quite well. I practiced clicking indoors.

Derwent Valley Mills

Because of the role they played in the Industrial Revolution, the Derwent Valley Mills make up a World Heritage Site. We visited a number of mills: Strutt's North Mill in Belper, Arkwright's Cromford Mill, and Arkwright's Masson Mills.

More photos of mill machinery in my Derbyshire set.

I dream of Derbyshire

My inner Lizzie Bennett loves the autumn colours of the countryside and the rolling hills and river valleys. Having warm oatcake with Wensleydale and cranberry cheese and tea overlooking Monsal Dale is just perfect. Though we didn't go inside Chatsworth, "the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire is set in the magnificent landscape of Derbyshire’s Peak District National Park", it was thrilling to find out that it was used in the Pride & Prejudice film. It is believed that Jane Austen had it in mind when writing of Pemberley, Mr Darcy's house.

Speaking of the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana Cavendish is the subject of Keira Knightley's latest film. Shooting seems to be happening in London now, but there are said to be scenes at Chatsworth as well. Naturally.

Hosted 2

Help, I'm held captive! Kidding aside, I thought it was a bit creepy that they still had this lying around.

I applied for another HostUK visit soon after the first one to Caister. On the day of the trip, I overslept and thought I would not make the coach to Derby, but I did. Once again, I observed that the younger coach drivers talk much more than the older ones, who don't bother to deliver their spiel on safety precautions. Our driver Ashley was really funny. I wish I had a recorder. A couple of snippets: "Should things get too hot for comfort, there's a fire extinguisher under my seat." On the use of the hammer: "Revenge is best served when they least expect it. These are my rules, of course. Which explains why I have no friends and I'm a coach driver. Which is a long story."

Maybe it's my luck that whenever I arrive for a visit, the weather is awful. But then the following day would always be great. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Belper home of my host, Viv. We had a great time, ate well, and had good conversations on different topics. And of course, we drove around and saw as much as we could. Viv prepared an excellent timetable, and it couldn't have been better.