Housework Monday

No, not really, the weather was too nice to be indoors. So we went up to Chatsworth, to see how they're goetting on with the renovation project.
As you can see from the photo, the work is progressing nicely....

.... We had lunch in the restaurant and then browsed the garden and gift shops.
I have noticed that the shops are forever changing now, since the new Duke and Duchess took the reigns. Many people I know weren't happy and felt that "Chatsworth wasn't the same" as it was. Well it was bound to change, after all how many of us do things exactly as our parents did them?
Things have to move with the times, we don't always like it, but that's life. I think that it's really changing for the better. The garden shop now offers a wider range of products, and not all are expensive. The gift shop really has changed with a greater selection of gifts, books games clothes and jewellery, which is ever changing.
The courtyard has an even bigger seating area, and now had an outdoor eatery.
Yesterday the Duke and Duchess were in the shop discussing the items and talking with the visitors. This very often happens, as it did with the late Duke and the Dowager Duchess.
We then went for a walk along the river....

....it was really quiet along here, but so lovely.
Before we moved on to Castleton we stopped at the shop for an ice cream.....

.....they never scrimp on the servings, as you can see!
We then went on to Castleton.....

....the home of the Blue John mines. There are lovely places to eat (The Nag's Head being our favourite, great meals) and lots of gift shops and a couple of jewellers who specialise in Blue John.
We walked down to the Three Roofs tea shop for a pot of tea....

....you can see Winnats Pass
in the distance. We'll take a drive up there so you can see the view.

....once we've had our tea!
There are quite a few caverns here, one being called The Devils Arse strange name I know, but worth a visit! We went a couple of years ago.
There is also Speedwell cavern..,

...but lets take a drive up the pass....

...the view from outside Speedwell Cavern looking towards Castleton.

...now we'll go through the pass and then look out from the top....

....not great pictures I know, but I think you can get the idea!
This is the view from the top....

well worth it!!!
Now we'll drive back down.....

...and now we'rew back outside Speedwell Cavern and the view is just stunning.....

I do hope you enjoyed our trip. I'm hoping there will another one, very soon!