Today we woke up to a light sprinkling of snow that fell in the night, but thankfully it melted quickly as the sun came out. However, it has turned very cold where we live which is quite high up on a hill. Fortunately our village is in the lee of the surrounding hills so we are more sheltered than most people in this area.
Yesterday we decided that the weather would be suitable for a drive out to Castleton, Derbyshire as we wanted to see the Christmas Tree Festival which takes place in St. Edmund's Church. We like to go to Castleton whenever we can and going there around about Christmas time is becoming a tradition with us.
It can get misty and vulnerable to snow on the High Peaks of the Peak District National Park and the windy roads can get icy.
It can get misty and vulnerable to snow on the High Peaks of the Peak District National Park and the windy roads can get icy.
We passed by Ladybower Reservoir, turning left to Hope Valley and leaving the road which goes on to Snake Pass which is one of the routes to Manchester. Snake Pass is often closed when there are snow falls and yesterday there was a notice to say that there was ice on the road.
After parking the car we walked up to Cave Dale which leads to the Limestone Way trail. We didn't venture very far as it was wet and muddy where water was coming down from the surrounding hills and flowing along the path - a natural channel for it. I expect the puddles also get icy at this time of the year, but the trail is still accessible for hill walkers and locals who were taking their dogs for a walk.
Castleton was relatively quiet because we had got there by late morning and, therefore, a good time to take a look around at the streets and shop windows that are always decorated for the season. However, we had half an hour to wait before the church opened for visitors and it was very cold walking around so we went and had a warming drink in one of the inns.
There are over fifty Christmas trees to see each one dressed by a local organisation. Each year the decorations are different and imaginatively dressed with ornaments and other hangings that reflect the activities and contribution to the local area of each society or group.
As you can imagine, I took many photos and will share some more next time.BBC television viewers might like to know that a team were in Castleton and area yesterday making a Christmas edition of Countryfile all about Castleton as it's well known for the caves and mining of Blue John stone, the way it celebrates local traditions and decorates the streets during the festive season in December and new year which makes it look even more picturesque. We were told by people who were providing refreshments that it will be broadcast on 17th December. I'll be checking my television magazine to make sure it's that date. We usually watch Countryfile as part of our viewing on a Sunday evening.
(In fact BBC changed the date).
