The Heights Of Abraham

Last weekend we ventured out to the The Heights Of Abraham at Matlock Bath. We drove through here last year but couldn't get parked up as the place was overrun with bikers. No problems parking this year though and we had a fantastic day out exploring the underground lead mining caverns.

We were out at a party on Saturday night then on Sunday we were up at the crack of dawn on the lookout for heather and shrubs. We got loads loaded into the car and spent a couple of hours getting everything planted in the newly cleared border. It looks great now and Debbie wants to do the same on the other side.

By then we were completely knackered and didn't have the energy to go back out and take any pictures, we'll nip out soon and get some snaps.

Paul

Otters & Owls

Last weekend we had an afternoon out at the Chestnut Centre which is not too far from Castleton in the Peak District. It's an animal sanctuary mainly for otters and owls. It was a much bigger place than we were expecting, walking through the field with sheep and deer was great and reaching the bottom you walk along a stream surrounded by trees. It's lovely and dark for the owls of which there a are loads but the pictures we took aren't too cleaver.

Following the winding through the trees, we came across another family of otters and more owls round every corner. The otters were great, loads of different kinds from small noisy little monkeys to a giant otter that loved to throw stones about.

We had a great time there despite the battling with the camera against the dark conditions and the mesh cages.

Paul

Wentworth Castle Gardens

While we were on holiday a few weeks ago, we visited Wentworth Castle Gardens in Stainborugh, Barnsley.

It was on BBC's Restoration in 2003 but failed to win. The restoration of the gardens is going well anyway, still a long way to go though. The glass house is in danger of collapsing and they're currently having a big fund raising push to try and save it.

The gardens are lovely and will look fantastic when their finished. The main building is Wentworth Castle and at the other end of the gardens is Stainborough Castle.

We've been back at work two weeks now and Debbie's not been having a great time. A week ago on Friday she started with a pain in her legs and by Sunday morning Debbie was in agony with her back and legs plus a thumping headache on top of that.

No better on Monday, Debbie stayed at home and on Tuesday went to the Doctors who prescribed antibiotics which we think ended up making her sick. Debbie was violently sick on Wednesday morning and I popped home to see how she was at lunch time. I called the doctors and was promised a call back within the hour. The hour came and went and after I chased them up I had to get back to work.

When I got home, there had still been no call so I called again only to be directed to after hours care who couldn't help because they didn't take over until 6pm and our surgery shouldn't have switched off their lines until then.

I called back after 6pm and we got an appointment at the hospital where we managed to get to see a doctor but he couldn't pinpoint the problem. His best guess would be a very bad migraine and he prescribed stronger pain killers. Debbie took two in Asda car park and by the time we got home she was feeling much better.

Debbie went back to work on Thursday, feeling better but still not brilliant. The pain killers seems to be keeping on top of whatever the problem is and we're now enjoying a nice chilled weekend!

Paul