On our first morning in the hotel, Lee went along to reception to pick up breakfast. Now, given that we were allowed to sit inside, I don't understand why we couldn't sit in the pub area and order a hot breakfast. But we couldn't - we had to order the night before to pick up. And they didn't have any vegetarian hot food. AND on the first morning we didn't get any butter with the croissant. So we basically just both ate the yoghurts, cereal, and fruit. Okay, fine, Covid is still a thing but... it can't be that hard.
We set off around 10.15 to go to Matlock Bath. It was about an hour's drive, but it was a fun one. We parked easily - it's definitely the quietest I've ever seen Matlock Bath! If you've never been, it's a weird place - it's like the seaside, with fish and chip shops and amusement arcades, only it's in the middle of the country, and it's all next to the river. I like it a lot. We went in a couple of shops and the amusement arcade and then had an early lunch in one of the riverside cafes. Then we went in the other arcade. We considered going to the aquarium (which is worth a visit, and is very cheap) but decided not to. Instead, we drove a little way out of Matlock Bath to Cromford Mills.
I've been there a couple of times too. It's an important historic mill, and still has a working watermill which is nice to look at. But now there's a bunch of little shops, including two antique centres, and a cafe. Lee didn't remember having been, but I know he has. It's really nice. I bought some cheese, some books, and a present for my mum for her birthday, and we went into the cafe for a hot drink as it was really quite cold.
We stopped in Matlock on the way back and Lee went into a record shop and we went in the Oxfam bookshop which was nice. We've missed charity shops while they've been shut! We went back a very scenic way to Tankersley, right up the west of Sheffield. It was fun! We got back to the hotel and had a lie down and rest, which was lovely. We had booked to go swimming at 5.30, and we were able to stay in for nearly an hour which was really nice. We hadn't booked into the pub in the evening because we weren't sure when/if we would want to eat, but around 8pm we went to one of the tents, where we were able to get a table with no problem. We shared a pizza and some onion rings, which were both great, and then a chocolate dipping dessert. It was nice! It wasn't too warm outside but warm enough.
The next morning we had a disappointing breakfast again - but really, it was the only thing that I could complain about, because the hotel was lovely - and came home via Mexborough, where Lee had bought a guitar pedal, and then to pick up the kittens, who had been in the cattery for two nights. It was a lovely mini break for us!
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