Day 13 Monday, October 31st Around Bakewell

 A different day planned after the excitement of yesterday.  Today we planned to have a walk and explore a bit more of Bakewell.  We were in Bakewell by 1000 and had chosen a walk 

sheep at the auction

auctioneer at work

from a TIC leaflet.  We started off near the livestock market which was in full swing.  There were pens of sheep awaiting entry into the market and an auctioneer doing his stuff inside the large shed - I hope he had a good drink waiting after doing his work for an hour or two.  After a false start our walk took us past 

watermill wheels

a mill on the outskirts of the town, the building is now offices and the mill wheel stands in the car park.

We carried on getting away from the built 

packhorse bridge

up area and turned to cross the river over a packhorse bridge (it certainly was not wide enough to be a postbridge).  We then turned and carried on back to town following the 

goose on the river Wye

 

the old bridgr

windy river route.  There were geese and other river birds along the way.  We approached the town at Bakewell's old bridge which we crossed and went into town.  After walking the three miles it was time for refreshment and we went to the "Original Bakewell Pudding shop" to sample their wares.  We 

Bakewell tart

had a coffee and I had a slice of Bakewell tart which was delicious and lived up to expectations.

Bakewell church

  After this we walked up to the church which dominates the skyline above the town.  It was a large, good looking church but was in need of extensive repairs and thus had what looked like an uncertain future.  In the graveyard was the remains of a Celtic cross which has some significance.

the Celtic cross

Ater climbing up and down this steep hill and looking at some shops and somewhere along the line looking at the stalls in the market it was time for a cup of tea.  We had a cup in a teashop and then decided to return to the b&b after a pretty energetic day.

For our evening meal we went to a bistro recommended by our hosts.  Although it was pouring with rain by this time we did enjoy the meal.  It was then time to relax in our room before going to bed.