Treakcliff Caverns and Trivial Pusuit

I’d picked this day to do some “proper”walking and so we dutifully put our walking boots in the car and prayed for good weather.
We started with the 20min drive to Bakewell , for brunch and (for Rich at least because I dislike almond flavours) a tart or pudding. Typically, the breakfast cafe I had pre-researched to be a well rated place and therefore immediately decided was the ONLY acceptable option (as my brain does) , was full to the rafters. A slightly stressy search for a new venue ensued. It’s times like these when I appreciate what a patient husband I have.
Anyway, we found a perfectly nice cafe and had a perfectly nice full English.
Bakewell is a lovely place to have a wander- if a little touristy and busy. We had a good window shop and then I waited whilst Rich queued for something tarty.

After he was suitably sugared up, we got on our way for the Peak District itself which was a nice windy casual drive. The idea was to have a walk and then visit the Blue John caverns (one of four sets of caverns in the area) . Alas, the postcode I had directed us a bit (a lot) off track and we ended up somewhere else entirely where all the roads were lined with parked cards and hikers and cyclists appeared from every angle.
Luckily we found a little spot to park the car and got out to have an explore. It turned out we were very near a different set of caverns- the Treakcliff caverns - and as we had no particular preference thought we’d go to that one instead.
Our distinct lack of any kind of physical fitness was quickly revealed when we started to ascend the many steps to get to the cavern entrance! I maintain that heavy walking boots make this a bigger exertion!

We got our tickets and had a quick cup of coffee whilst waiting for our entry time and downloading the accompanying app. The entrance to the actual cavern itself was a Dr Who Tardis which was quite cool. The caverns were very enjoyable and informative, and the app gave a nice commentary albeit we had to play it out loud as we were not headphone prepared. As we took our time we didn’t really get in th way of anyone else. The caves in the area are renowned for “Blue John” - veins of blue/purple/violet material in the rock bed. There are also some great examples of stalactites and stalagmites. Impressive stuff but admittedly not on a par with the caves at Cheddar gorge or South Wales. That said, I think we’d like to visit some of the other local caverns should we visit the area again. The Treakcliff caverns are family run since the beginning and we found the staff friendly and welcoming.
After entering via the Tardis, the exit is via a small unassuming metal door in the hillside, a high vantage point from which today’s photo was taken.

At this point we were unsure of what to do, so just got in the car to drive to the next picturesque town we could find. We ended up in Chapel-en-le-frith. Rather than exploring or expanding our knowledge of the town we found a micro pub and settled in for a pint and a game of Trivial Pursuit. We were joined in our game by a couple of walkers who sat at our table (no objections from us- it really was a micro pub, even more so when a tremendous Malamute came in with his owners!)
Being an awkward time on a Sunday afternoon and keen to save a bit of money, we decided to obtain dinner from the nearby Coop - a veritable feast and some wine for the hotel room!!!
Glasses of wine 2
Ghostly happenings 0