What a difference a year makes. My birthday 2012;
My birthday 2013;
We normally go for a walk in the Derbyshire Dales on my birthday, but thanks to snow we decided to visit Masson Mill near Matlock, a Victorian textile mill with the machinery still in place. We timed the visit to see a working demonstration of the machinery before we toured the museum, not everyone’s cup of tea, but we found it interesting. Before the demonstration I realised that I had left my camera in the car, and went to fetch it. The Mill is a big old rambling place, and I couldn’t find the car, eventually located it, but then had trouble finding my way back to the museum. The two pints that accompanied the pub meal before the visit may have had something to do with this. By the time I found Chantal, the demonstration was underway, although I don’t think that I missed much.
While standing among the 19th Century technology, I was introduced to a 21st century innovation – Chantal told me how to use my smart phone to scan those black and white squares that are increasingly common in various places. In this case there was one by each machine, and after downloading the “app”, I could scan the square to be linked through to the museum web site, where I could read all about the machine using my phone. Of course all younger family members will be very familiar with this – but it was a first for me, and I was impressed.
After the museum we headed for the nearby Cromford Canal, and took the dogs for a lovely 4 mile walk along the canal towpath, as the canal meandered through snow covered fields, before heading off to see our friend Meryl, who lives near Chatsworth Park, just a few minutes from our walk. Meryl bred Lesia, and lives in a very small cottage, and currently has 7 German Shepherds. Those of you who have visited (certainly Matt, Claire and Si) will remember this place – Claire describes, you sit having a cup of tea in a sea of dogs. You have to be a dog person to appreciate it! We stayed there quite a while, eventually getting home at 10, with still time for a birthday G&T or two.
Thanks to everyone for their cards – there is a distinct old-age theme this year…..
Photos from the day are in Recent Photos (and see http://365project.org/shepherdman/365/2013-03-28)
Technically we live in Oaktree House, but sadly the tree had to go.
We now have a thriving Oakstump at the front of the house.
