Well it has to be said that Parsley Hay was a little damp on Friday evening... and damp at 1,000 feet at the top of the Peak District can re-define the term! The good news for the Sheffield DA contingent was that the meteorological maelstrom passed over as they emerged on Saturday morning to the welcome sight of beautiful sunshine, albeit with a brisk breeze, but that dried things out nicely.
Saturday was a chance to take to the trail, the Tissington Trail which runs adjacent to the site, so whether it was walking or cycling most took the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine and a 10-mile outing to Tissington village and beyond. When in Tissington a visit to the wonderfully retro Edward & Vintage is a must, not only for a tasty trip down memory lane browsing the traditional confectionery, but also savouring their lovely ice-cream as a reward for the outbound route and to prepare for the return leg, which felt more like 20 as the former London and North Western Railway Ashbourne to Buxton line climbs inexorably up and over the South Derbyshire Peaks.
Refreshed and renewed on Sunday morning it was family walk time with the group this time taking the left fork to join the High Peak Trail on a beautiful morning, which was further brightened by the impressive sight of 500 vintage cycles (and their vintage cyclists) as the annual Eroica Britannia sped by on a 65-mile Derbyshire celebration of cycling heritage. Having successfully avoided the brightly coloured throng, the walkers left the High Peak Trail and headed across country to rejoin the Tissington Trail at the former Hartington Station, once again taking the opportunity for ice-cream sustenance before returning to base for a cup of tea and time to head for home.