The Peak District, rain in Leek and Rudyard
In early July, before the weather had turned hot, we had a weekend in Derbyshire, staying with Mairi and Lizzie in Mickleover. We had planned a beer festival in Burton on the Saturday night and climbing in the Roaches as a daytime diversion. My son Hugh also travelled up from Winchester to join us, excited by the prospect of beer and ropes. We started out optimistically on Saturday morning, heading for some rocks, but the dull weather turned into drizzle and then rain. We stopped in Leek for coffee and ventured to the market where we saw the town crier walking around, but not crying. Mairi and Lizzy can be seen, just past the enormous drawers and 'firm control', in the indoor market. Close to Leek is the small village of Rudyard. it is built around a Victorian reservoir and apparently at the turn of the century was a major tourist attraction, with literally thousands coming from Derby and the Potteries to enjoy a swim. The water was not very appealing whe...