Cochleae cordis

Nine months can fly past to the point that if you sneezed you might just miss it.  During my last trip to the homelands at the tail end of, a very flowery, British spring time I sneezed a lot due to a bad bout of hay fever.  This time I hoped that would not be the case, being in the thick of winter.  Who knew what the weather had in store.  Heading back on a nine month rotation allows me to sample a range of times of the year; each one bringing a different adventure for my morning walks and the daily car trips with the folks, as we head into the countryside:

It was a warm mid to high thirties in Perth when I left, on a different airline to my usual choice.  This saw me stopping over for a few hours in Doha, at an airport that in one particular area looked more like a botanical garden.  The grandeur of the place putting our international airport terminals back home to shame, on so many levels.  The setting made the few hours that bit easier to cope with, as my eyelids were getting very heavy.  Then it was onto Manchester where at 6am I was greeted with darkness and lowly single digit temperatures:

Seeta kindly picked me up and we stopped on the way home to get a bite to eat, and to catch up.  It was still a wee bit early to be getting to the folks place, plus she was heading away for a well-deserved trip away later today.  Meaning it was the only chance for us to natter about life and things in general.  My trip had been planned around my sisters week long break, which allowed her to be rest assured that I would be around to keep an eye on the folks.  The week had been kept free of appointments, which meant our trips out would be fun ones:

Having arrived as early as I had.  And feeling not too bad we had time to squeeze in a visit to the Yonderman Café, on the first day.  I do like this place and was hoping once more to sample their wonderful oatcakes, and break out the first of what was to be many games.  The meal was everything I have come to expect here, bloomin’ marvellous.  Something we all agreed on.  Despite being nine months between visits here, the staff still recognised us and we had a good chat.  They even asked if we would make a second visit to them this time round:

I wasn’t able to make any promises about squeezing in another trip there this time.  Due to what is becoming a bit of a routine, and having already planned our destinations for each day.  Most times we had lunch at a pub, and then made our way to a café for dessert.  There were however a couple of lunches at cafés, at the request of the folks.  As mentioned before, the weather was all a bit uncertain.  Some parts of England have received rain every day of this year, and this has resulted in some areas being affected by serious flooding:

The flooding has been for extended periods, resulting in many people also being without water and/or power.  The folks are however lucky with where they live, which has not, and due to the topography is not likely to be flood affected.  Being winter, wet weather was to be expected.  It is a time of the year when you may question whether country drives to explore new places is worthwhile.  However heading out in different conditions other than just when it is nice, provides for a different experience:

For our first day out, which usually lasted for 5 to 7 hours, we headed across to Holmfirth, located in the Holme Valley of West Yorkshire.  On my last trip when Dave, my folks postie for many a year, and I had headed out for a walk he had suggested the area.  This is where a British show called Last of the Summer Wine was filmed.  It ran for a whooping thirty seven years from 1973 till 2010.  A show about the exploits of local characters called Compo, Clegg, and Foggy, which is reputed to hold the record as the world’s longest-running comedy:

It was and still is a very popular, and in my opinion brilliant show.  The town has not surprisingly cashed in on this, and has become a bit of a tourist attraction.  As such while we drove through it, we did not aim for a pub in the town.  Before we get there, and talking about the weather again, you will see several images up that as we passed over Holme Moss Summit we were well and truly encased in cloud.  The steep drop to the side of the road hidden from sight, the steep inclines make this a renowned and challenging climb for cyclists:

This has resulted in it often being referred to as “Le Col de Moss”, and today we fortunately did not come across any cyclists.  The folks loved the experience, view or not, as we drove up and over the highest point.  In the lower lying land we dropped below the cloud that still hung heavy above us.  Making our way to the Rose & Crown, in Thurstonland where the landlord made the comment of “so you are the people who made the booking”.  My last couple of trips have been in the warmer months and as such places were booked up:

This time most of the places were relatively quiet, so I may not have needed to book.  But a couple of spots were pretty busy so I am glad I did.  Our first meal was lush, brimming platefuls of food were relished and devoured.  My dad and mam, at 92 and 94 respectively, still manage to have a healthy appetite.  And while they are slowing down and more wobbly than last time, they are still able to manage and enjoy these trips.  Compared to my last visit I could tell there had been a significant change in their mobility, but they are still both sharp:

Proven by their ability to play that games, which we played both at home and when we went out.  Triominos, may seem an easy enough game.  However, they are still quick to add up the dice and scores for Yahtzee, and manage to shuffle all the tiles on the table about to make different sets in Rummikub.  This time however, in part due to the weather but also their mobility there was very limited walking.  Confined to walking to and from the car to get the house and places we were eating.  Between each place we ate there was a country drive:

The drives between each stop varied from one and half to half an hour, allowing us to take in various routes and different sights.  After our stomach filling meal at the Rose & Crown, we spotted a tall building on a hill.  This resulted in a diversion.  At a carpark I ran up the many steps to check it out, leaving the folks in the car; only to find a higher carpark that we then drove to.  Castle Hill, was first known to be settled some 4,000 year ago.  The tower however is a mere 127 years old, constructed to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee:

We then motored along to the Wild Café, hidden off the beaten track.  It was so good, with the best cheesecake I’ve ever had despite being gluten free and vegan.  They gave us the last piece to take home, which my dad snaffled at some point.  I’ve slotted in an image that is pretty dark.  Despite first light and sunrise not arriving till 6:45 and 7:20’ish, I still had a few early morning walks.  Some of the paths were muddier than I had previously experienced, making for fun and slippery times.  Arriving back as the morning and folks were stirring:

On a couple of mornings however, it was either raining too much or my boots were still to sodden from the previous day.  For our second day, we headed out for a double café trip.  My dad was keen to get back to the Olive Tree Café, which they had been too several times with my sister.  It was my first time here and I could see why they liked it.  This was the only day that my dad’s Parkinson got in the way of him enjoying the meal, which was a real shame as it was a place of his choice.  The staff were however wonderful, and took it in their stride:

In fact everywhere we went as I escorted the folks in, at times one on each arm, not just staff but also other patrons were extremely considerate.  Opening doors, moving out of the way, giving us time to shuffle in, and also spending time to have a chat.  My dad likes a chat, and will bend the ear of anyone willing to listen.  The staff at the Olive Tree Café were particular champions in this regard.  After we moved on he was back to his usual self and was able to thoroughly enjoy cake and tea at the Quackers Café, in the image with the puzzle:

The puzzle is relevant, being a Wasjig puzzle.  Elseya and my favourite brand of puzzle.  The day I left home, Elseya, Jade, and I worked furiously to finish the one that had been hogging the table for a few weeks.  This resulted in us finishing the puzzle, and me departing for the airport some twenty or so minutes later than I intended too.  The next puzzle we will start just so happens to the same as the one in the image above.  This was also the only puzzle at this café, in amongst the games that people can make use of as they enjoy their beverages:

In the next image the folks are getting into the car for the next trip out.  Rugged up and hugging their clothes round them.  The temperatures never hit double figures, and it was not uncommon to be below five degrees.  It was after all winter.  The pavers out the front of the house, and also in the back garden were once again algae coated.  When wet they were quite slippery and dangerous for the folks.  As such in between trips out and games, and when the limited daylight hours permitted, I set about pressure washing them:

It took quite a few sessions and chewed into time a fair bit, but was well worth it once it was done.  In the image they are getting into the car to head to the Devonshire Arms, the only pub that was a last minute choice.  Required when my chosen place suddenly changed its opening hours.  It was a great replacement, worthy of a repeat visit.  The folks are cheersing Elseya’s birthday, which I unfortunately missed due to the timing of this visit.  This journey saw us dip into the Staffordshire Peak District, a sneaky trip by me so we could drive past The Roaches:

The café we visited before the drive by was the one we liked least, although as my dad reminds me the staff were lovely.  The Roaches were shrouded in cloud, but it was still worth it.  I was going to say that once we got home, even though it was raining, we finally got to see a bit of sun.  However, if you check the image from the pub the shadows hint it also came out for a bit then to.  During our time in the car however it was once more misty and cloudy.  Back home the games came out again and Leena, who took the sneaky picture, popped over:

I mentioned Dave the old postie, old as in previous as opposed to age.  And once more on this trip he and I organised a day to get into the hills.  I’ve write that great hike up separately: https://sandbagged.blog/2026/02/12/mostly-sensible/.  The intermission of a day in-between the trips for my folks was needed, as they were getting a little weary and the bit of quiet time to recuperate was well timed.  After the hike with Dave I had enough time to complete the work on the pavers, by which time my feet were sloshing about in water inside my boots.  Meaning there was no morning walk the next day:

That night Neil and Leena popped over for a takeaway, which was the only evening meal we had and indeed needed.  With a forecast for clearer weather on Friday and as we had not seen the views from Holme Moss Summit on our first full day trip, I decided to take the same route.  As we approached the valley before the mighty hills, snow was sprinkled on the higher ground.  Needless to say I got very excited, and the folks were also very happy to see the white stuff.  Being a novelty, as it is not the sort of weather they would normally get out in:

As we drove up into the hills the snow fell thick and fast.  The top had a good four to six inches.  The road was slushy and we went slowly especially on the steeper and windier sections.  It was absolutely brilliant.  I stopped several times, braving the zero degrees and biting wind to get out and take it all in.  Needless to say the folks stayed in the car.  To top it off the Cherry Tree pub was another cracker, with a wonderful outlook.  Even in the depths of winter it was very popular with heaps of tables reserved.  I felt better for booking this one:

The café I had planned was called the Hidden Gem, but google maps took us the wrong way and we couldn’t find it.  Having had the time to check it out in more detail I can see where we went wrong.  But rather than waste time while we were out, I quickly spied another place and that turned out really good.  We even got snowed on as we went back to the car, before heading back over as many high hills as we could to see more snowy landscapes.  Including Snake Pass opened in 1821.  Known for hairpin bends, steep gradients, and sweeping views:

These road conditions also means it is detailed as being “high-risk, accident-prone nature, winter closures, and recent landslips”.  We risked it regardless, despite the conditions that were far from clear as forecast.  Being well and truly rewarded with stunning views.  Saturday arrived and was again forecast to be clear day.  Looking out the window at 5:30 I could see stars.  Having intended to get one last morning walk in, it looked to be a good day for it.  Minus four degrees also meant the puddles and mud would all be frozen solid:

It was a lovely walk, and despite the temperatures it didn’t feel too bad.  The best part was watching the morning hues change, as shown in the above two images.  Unlike back home sunrise here is a slow affair.  One you can savour and really absorb due to occurring at such a gentle pace.  The clear skies meant that we were in for a treat of great sights for our last trip out.  The intention being to head to the Goyt Valley area.  My only concern was that in view of the mercury rarely going above zero degrees today, was whether ice would be on the roads:

Dave suggested it should be fine, so we went for it.  He was mostly right, but ice did indeed exist on some of the steeper hills where the sun had not got to.  I kept a careful eye out, and on occasion it was not possible to avoid the wheels spinning.  Luckily for us these sections were short lived and we were able to safely navigate our way along.  Being a Saturday throngs of others were out.  Above is Cats and Shining Tor, where Dave and I had hiked over only meeting one person.  Today, as that local had predicted, it was like a highway:

Our destination today was a place we went to last time.  That time it had been an afternoon café stop, for tea and cake only.  The folks checked out the menu back then and said that they thought it would be a nice place to have lunch.  I’m very pleased they did, and that we went there today.  The blues skies and white covered hills resulted in the Peak View Tea Rooms really living up to its name.  This time the folks did get out of the car and onto the snow just to get to the café, making me a little nervous so we moved extra cautiously:

Not wanting to waste such a wonderful experience, we drove round a fair bit afterwards.  The roads we took went round Axe Edge Moor, where Staffordshire, Cheshire, and Derbyshire meet.  Resulting in us dipping in and out of each county multiple times.  Back in the 18^th century criminals & convicts would use this location to escape across these boarders.  The reason being that back in the day law enforcement in each county was separate, a system that no longer exists but back then it allowed them avoid being apprehended:

We also drove through Flash.  The highest village in the United Kingdom, being 1,519 feet or 463 m above sea level.  Wanlockhead in Scotland was claimed to be higher by 12 feet or 4 m, however while Wanlockhead is indeed a village there are no buildings there at the claimed elevation.  After such a great café and drive, you may think the last café would likely be a letdown.  It was however really good.  The Blaze Farm tea rooms are in an old milking shed and boasts scrumptious homemade and award winning “Hilly Billy Ice Cream”:

Maybe a strange choice in such cold temperatures but we had ours with hot chocolate fudge cake and apple pie, which “warmed the cockles of our hearts”.  A Latin based 17^th century idiom, meaning to make someone feel deep happiness, contentment, or a sense of cosy, affectionate gratitude.  A fitting way to end the trip.  In the evening I could tell the folks were weary, making mistakes in the games they didn’t earlier in the week.  A sure sign a week of fun, was just right.  Next morning I left them in darkness, to have a much needed day or three of relaxation: