Alun & Jane’s Peak District Tour
Day 1
Setting off on Friday lunchtime we headed off towards the rain and gloom of Derbyshire and beyond. Progress was good until the traffic gods decided that the M1 was to be car park – thus we queued from Luton until Chesterfield – needless to say Alun was not in a happy mood.
Alun’s mood was vastly improved on arriving at Baslow Hall, on being shown into the hotel room, to find a lounge, bedroom and bathroom area. All overlooking the Baslow Hall kitchen gardens. A bottle of wine was opened and Alun’s mood hit new heights.
The evening meal was excellent, starting with canapes and a slow G&T. We chose from the a la carte menu, Alun having Tempura Quail followed by Suckling Pig, Jane chose the Crab and Bloody Mary Canneloni and followed with English Veal. The highlight of the evening meal was the sweet for two to share.
The evening was complete with a glass of lagavulin and a Calvados.
Day 2
Jane slept in – no surprise and Alun snuck off for a crafty cooked breakfast – equally no surprise. Later a trip to Baslow ensued – a gentle walk into the village to line up a pub lunch and find the entrance to Chatsworth. The mission was successfully complete – with a ploughmans, a fishfinger buttie and a couple of rounds.
For the afternoon a full trip round Chatsworth was completed – the grounds and house are stunning, well worth a trip. The sun duly shined most of the afternoon and the trip was completed without recourse to umbrellas or waterproofs. Weird fact – almost all bananas sold in the UK are the descendants of one shipped from Chatsworth in the 1830’s.
Back to Baslow Hall to prepare for the evening. The British Taster Menu for two was chosen. See the below for a list of the food. (Unfortunately the phone camera couldn’t cope with the lack of light, so photos were poor). A somewhat lively evening then ensued with on the various tables around us – a cheese loving bride to be and new fiance, a Mum having a 70th birthday ( she was more lively than the rest of her table), plus two other tables celebrating being married for a long time.
Alun as ever let the side down by insisting on wiping the plates clean with what implements were available – notably bread and fingers.
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