Harvey and I bade farewell to our lovely friends in Warwickshire and headed off to visit lovely friends in Derbyshire.

We had an excellent lunch in this lovely pub, The George in Alstonefield which is in one of England’s areas of outstanding natural beauty, The Peak District. This is a small pub and dining room so visitors are advised to book.  We ate in the charming dining room which was packed when we arrived but empty when we left (we had a very late lunch) so I could take some photos. These peonies were stunning. Harvey had beer battered cod, chips and mushy peas. I had a Gloucester Old Spot pork chop which was served with sauteed cabbage, an apple ring and creamy mashed potato.  It was delicious and complimented by the very large and very decent glass of Merlot I had with it. I managed to squeeze in a dessert too which was an English Cream Tea Panna Cotta with a brown sugar and raspberry sponge and green tea ice cream.  Followed by a coffee. Everything about the meal was excellent and I am looking forward to going back in June when we celebrate someone special’s birthday! Thank you Gini for organising such a lovely lunch and for driving and to you all for such a fun lunch and day out. Derbyshire is such a pretty county and the typical building material here is this grey stone which is utterly charming.   We went on a bit of a recce to find our perfect place to stay in June.  This garden …. which belongs to this Manor House will do very nicely thank you. The weather was very overcast and drizzling but despite that, everywhere still looked delightful.  This is the graveyard of the little church in Alstonefield, the village we had lunch in. Our plans had included a walk in the Peak District but it was raining so we had a short drive instead so I could be reminded of how beautiful it is up here. This is near Dovedale, a particularly scenic spot we have walked in before and which I would love to visit again. Yes, all the vistas are quite delightful and I can’t wait to come back. Today was not much fun as we had a long and wet drive home which is exhausting on the motorway.  I had been so well fed at Gini’s I wasn’t hungry for breakfast and just had a latte and a Bounce peanut energy ball on the 5 hour drive home.

Back at home I wanted some good nutrients so I made a smoothie with almond milk, blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, a frozen banana, chia seeds and natural yogurt. Very tasty.

I took the dogs on a walk despite the drizzle and felt better for it.  I have been slack lately but am determined to be better now.  So every day I must manage at least a 30 minute walk.

Eating was much better than it has been recently.  Late afternoon I enjoyed a snack of some of the provisions Gini gave me to bring home.  I had 4 olive crackers with smoked salmon pate which we bought yesterday in Croots Farm Shop in Duffield on our way t the Peak District.

Supper was a very quick and easy wholewheat noodles with broccoli, red onion, red pepper and prawns.

I have had such a wonderful time visiting very dear friends in two gorgeous parts of England.  It is shame they live so far away but both Warwickshire and Derbyshire are beautiful and well worth a visit.

I am easing my way back in to healthy eating so I can crack on and lose weight and do more exercise so I feel better.  One more day of ‘holiday’ tomorrow and then back with a vengeance.