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A Day out in the Peak District |
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We arrived in Buxton for a shop till you drop session. Emma has given us a very helpful guide of things to do such as the newly refurbished splendid Pavilion Gardens, the Buxton Opera House or the museum. Sadly the spa baths are no longer open to the public as they are being refurbished ready for a new hotel in the Crescent, which is reminiscent of the same feature in Bath. We were joined at lunchtime in Pizza Express by Paul and Sam who had been rock climbing locally. We all tucked into a hearty lunch and some sumptuous deserts before getting back on the coach, replete and late for our trip to Speedwell caverns where we went down a Lead mine. This trip was not for the faint hearted or those given to claustrophobia.
The roof of the cavern was low enough for anyone under 5 foot, but no
taller. We went for a boat trip about a mile under ground down a very
narrow low ceiling waterway to a magnificent cavern with calcium stalactites
which were 47,000 years old. We were entertained all the way by the
guide who told us how the mine in its hay day had lost the equivalent
of millions of pounds because when they eventually got to the cavern
they only found half a bucket of lead. Only a hundred years ago the
mine owners allowed boys of 8 work for the equivalent of a few pounds
per week in poisenous surroundings. So hazardous was the job that the
average life expectancy was 28. We were all rather glad to be back above ground in the afternoon sunlight surrounded by the most magnificent countryside imaginable close to Castleton and Hope village, where 3 of our older members decided to indulge in leisurely shopping rather than venturing underground with the rest of us. Once back on the coach we were told the quiz winners and the booby prize winners who shall remain nameless, but were both from the Poynton office!. A great day was had by all, and hearty thanks must go out to Emma, Helen, Lindsey and Linda for organising it all for us. |
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Abney Garsden McDonald, 37,Station Road Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire. SK8 5AF Tel: +44 0161 482 8822 Fax:+44 0870 990 9350 Email: admin@abneys.co.uk or [name]@abneys.co.uk |
On
a warm sunny autumnal day in October 2005 we all set off for our day
out to the Peak District. Bullocks coaches kindly did the honours again,
by picking us up from the Poynton and Cheadle Hulme offices at 9am sharp.
We set off merrily, expecting, as usual to be entertained with our general
knowledge quiz on the coach. Time passed very quickly as we battled
in teams with the questions clearly and speedily asked by Ami. 