38 outandaboutlive.co.ukSeptember 2019
I
t’s 8amwhenwestopforbreakfastat
a picnic site nearThorpe, just north of
Ashbourne.Our early starttoavoid traffic
jamsthroughroadworks onthe M5 and
M6havepaid off andwebreathe asighof
relief athavingreached the PeakDistrict
withoutthe frustrating motorwaydelays
weexperienced on our waysouth. The
temperatureis in the mid-20sand we’re
grateful fora shady spotbya cycle trail
along adisusedrailwayline, already being
usedbycyclists andrunners.
It’s highsummerandweplantoexplore
the eastern edgeof the NationalPark, which
we hopewon’t beascrowded assomeof
the more central honeypots. Westartby
headingtoBakewell fortourist information
and shopping.
Online, I identify the Agricultural
Business Centre (on Agricultural Way,off
the Matlock Road) asa roomy place topark.
Wearrive tofindhordesof people and cars- the street market and cattle market are
held onMondays –soweuse extra parking
in a field j ust short of the centre. Aneasy
walk past allthe agricultural activity and
over a footbridge across the River Wye takes
ustothe busy town centre andanenormous
Co-op.Wanderingbesidethe river tothe
medieval bridge, we’re amazedbythe
big rainbowtroutin the river; theyswim
close underthe Canada geese, each quite
unperturbedbythe other’s presence.+
US AND OUR ’VAN
Felicity Martin ...
her partner, Andrew, and their
dog, Braan, ind motorhoming
a great way to get to know
Britain better2015 WildAx Constellation
(5.99m long) on Citroën Relay
2.2HDi. Whenever we stop
in ‘Stella’ we open the big
sliding door to aid ventilation
and enjoy the view from the
comfort of the sofaExploring
the edges
The Peak District’s dramatic escarpments,
caverns, tors and dales make for
a marvellous motorhome tour
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY:Felicity Martin
Enjoyingthe viewfrom Baslow Edge