A huge thank you to @Oldguysrule, @Lee, @Shortie_gal, @Nodzed and @pgunter, [Trevor & Toni, Lee & Sam, Niall and Paul] for making the long trip up North to Mint Towers for a weekend of chat/food/drink/banter/laughter and of course some driving up in the Peak District. The weekend kicked off on Friday night when all but Paul had arrived by 11:00 pm finding Mint Towers in the dark, well done all, (Paul was due to arrive Sat evening). After a good nights rest we all enjoyed bacon or sausage breakfast rolls provided by @Mrs Mint before heading out into our local playground - The Peak District. A drive through some lovely Staffordshire villages and on into the Peaks arriving at one of our favourite stops - Longnor where lunch was enjoyed. After a rest we headed of again and eventually arrived at Ilam after going through the 'Throwley Farmyard' which luckily for me was bone dry. @Mint provided a spag bol tea and @Mrs Mint provided some of her famous apple crumble all of which was washed down with a glass (or two) of wine. Some of us even tried some of my damson gin
.
Up early again on Sunday, similar brekky as yesterday then off for another trip out, today a different route ending up at the Old Hall Hotel for lunch. Surprised not to see @MAURICE THE MARTIAN as that is one of his regular haunts
. Then after lunch a drive to Tissington to check the tea room was still there
. It was there that the decision was made to go and play in the ford, the smiles on the drivers faces after their run through was a superb.
A lovely pub meal ended the day and some went to bed early but Niall & I were chatting till 00:45 while we were finishing our wine.
Today we called at a local cafe for breakfast before heading off to Carsington Water where we met @Sean d, @MrsD, @Bozzy and @Mrs. Bozzy [Sean & Carrie, Steve & Sara] for another trip out to Longnor. After lunch we said our goodbyes to the southern crew and headed off with Sean & Carrie, Steve & Sara for another drive.
It has been an absolutely superb weekend with great company, great roads, great food and drink and great weather. What more could you ask for...
Some pics to prove it
.Up early again on Sunday, similar brekky as yesterday then off for another trip out, today a different route ending up at the Old Hall Hotel for lunch. Surprised not to see @MAURICE THE MARTIAN as that is one of his regular haunts
. Then after lunch a drive to Tissington to check the tea room was still there. It was there that the decision was made to go and play in the ford, the smiles on the drivers faces after their run through was a superb.A lovely pub meal ended the day and some went to bed early but Niall & I were chatting till 00:45
while we were finishing our wine.Today we called at a local cafe for breakfast before heading off to Carsington Water where we met @Sean d, @MrsD, @Bozzy and @Mrs. Bozzy [Sean & Carrie, Steve & Sara] for another trip out to Longnor. After lunch we said our goodbyes to the southern crew and headed off with Sean & Carrie, Steve & Sara for another drive.
It has been an absolutely superb weekend with great company, great roads, great food and drink and great weather. What more could you ask for...
Some pics to prove it
.