Road trip to Derbyshire

Half term is properly under way for me at last!!  Hooray!!!!

So my bestest friend Sue my darling daughter and I have had a lovely day out in Derbyshire.

So many lovely flowers and blossom everywhere. ..

 

 

the May (Hawthorn) blossom was at it's very best...

 



Adorable animals...

Bakewell was quite busy...

 



Lots of padlocks on the bridge, this seems to be such a growing trend...

It drives my husband absolutely mad, he can moan about this trend for ages...

Love this shop selling hand made baskets of all types...

Reminds me of Domestic Science lessons, when we would carry our ingredients to school in baskets like the one below, covered by a freshly laundered tea towel...

Old police station complete with blue lamp...

We trawled the charity shops, which are usually very good indeed, but only managed to get a few bits and pieces as I think they had been pretty much picked over during the bank holiday weekend.  By this time we really needed coffee and lunch so went to our favourite café.  I love the pattern on my latte - wonder how they do that?

 

The café is within a Thornton's chocolate shop, so they give you a chocolate smile...

 

 

 

Sue was the driver so on the way home I managed to snap a few more photos en route.  The Peacock Hotel in Rowsley, dates back to Elizabethan times...

Big old Victorian Mill in Belper...

Matlock Bath, with the Horsechestnut blossom at it's best...

Tunnel of trees between Matlock Bath and Whatstandswell...

 

A wonderful day out with a lovely friend and DD, just what was needed after what has been a very hectic few weeks. 

 

Helenxx









Metropol Parasol

Good morning everyone, well, can't you just tell I am back in the thick of it at work?  Not even a chance to read blogs, never mind comment or post.  But, only 4 weeks until the next holiday (one of the joys of working in a stressful school environment is the regularity of the breaks, and boy, do we need them, especially for those of us in behaviour management!)

So, in order to keep the memories fresh of my recent break in beautiful Seville, I would like to share some photos of the stunning Metropol Parasol - you can read more about it here.

Sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy!

 
Photos can only give an idea of the sheer size of this amazing structure

Even though starkly modern, it sits well amongst it's more venerable neighbours...

The whole structure reminded me of toadstools...

I'm missing that beautiful Andalusian sky, a shade of blue not quite replicated here in the UK...or, in fact, in this photo, the shade is a really deep blue...

Incredible design and engineering...

What a view, and yes, the cake and coffee were absolutely delicious!

It is possible to walk on top of this amazing structure, so we chose to return in the evening...

From the top, the structure reminded me of a coiled snake...

What a view, Seville is beautiful at any time of day or night...

Even the lift is amazing!  I took a photo of DH in here (won't share or he will probably never speak to me again!) as the lift reminded me of the Tardis from Doctor Who, and, as DH is in fact a Doctor I just couldn't resist (the kids thought it was hilarious!!)

Walking back to our hotel, we passed by the Catedral and the Bishops Palace...

Hopefully back soon with photos of our visit to the Real Alcazar.

Helenxx