Relaxing in Derbyshire & Cheshire

I spent this last week with some family friends at their house in Macclesfield, which is just outside of Manchester. I had a wonderful, relaxing time. Well, as relaxing as a time can be in a house with a three-year old.

I was proud of myself for flying from Ireland to Manchester by myself. My first solo flight, and it was international! Thankfully everything went smoothly and I had a friendly face to pick me up from the airport. My meals during my stay were fantastic. The husband is from Glasgow, Scotland, where his family owns a farm. Our Sunday roast was straight from his farm and complete with potatoes, parsnips, leeks and yorkshire pudding.

On my first day, we drove to Chatsworth, a wonderful stately home that is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The drive up there was lovely as the road winds through the Peak District National Park, amidst fields of sheep and purple heather. We also drove through Bakewell, home of the scrumptious Bakewell Tarts! The interior of Chatsworth is very interesting, though I cannot quite imagine living in such a large house. Wood paneling in many of the rooms darkens the rooms and leaves them with a sort of unwelcoming ambiance.

Chatsworth

Mr. Darcy

The gardens are extensive and quite stunning. The outside of Chatsworth is much more well known to me as it serves as Pemberley in the Keira Knightly version of Pride and Prejudice. I feel like a true Pride and Prejudice fan now. I even watched the BBC adaptation of the novel with the McCoulls.

Later in the week we headed to Lyme Park, yet another mansion house. It's role in the BBC Pride and Prejudice as Pemberley drew us in. It is also very beautiful, but dark inside.

Lyme Park

The day before I left we visited the beautiful village of Prestbury. I spent some time praying and reading inside St. Peter's church, one of the oldest Parish churches in the country. I also walked around the church grounds and took advantage of my solitary state to sing a little. There is a Norman chapel on the site and fragments of a Saxon Cross, both very interesting.

I had a wonderful week, and had a ton of fun playing with little Rhianna. I am so thankful for this family and their willingness to put me for a week (and put up with me for a week).

Now I'm back in Oxford, waiting for the fall student to come over. I'm a bit lonely right now, but this freedom has been very relaxing. I'll spend this week helping to get the houses ready for everyone. Thankfully, I'm already all settled in.