Today was the day of my quiz team's previously postponed excursion to Buxton. We were going there to meet up with our old pal Danny and have a handsome lunch with a few beers. Mike's wife Jill kindly offered to drive us out there. She said she would be perfectly happy just toddling round Buxton's shops.
I was picked up at 11.45. There are other ways to get to Buxton but Jill decided to drive along The Hope Valley and then up through Winnat's Pass - shown in the top picture thanks to Google Streetview. However, as Robbie Burns wrote, “The best laid schemes of mice and men go aft astray" and sure enough, Winnat's Pass was closed because of road works. This meant we had to turn around and follow a detour via Bradwell and Peak Forest.
Consequently, we arrived a few minutes late at the highly recommended pub restaurant "Lubens" shown above. We had reserved a table. Beers were quaffed, happy flowing conversation occurred and our meals were duly consumed. My lunch was good but not especially memorable. I would just about give it ★★★★ out of five. I had steak pie with chips (American: fries), broccoli, red cabbage and gravy - it was the day's "special". This was followed by sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream.
Afterwards, we crossed the town's marketplace to visit "The New Inn" - shown above. Actually, the Streetview image is a bit dated as the pub enjoyed a major refurbishment just this year. Inside, it was lovely and welcoming. A log fire was burning merrily in the fireplace. Buxton is the highest market town in England and the air temperature is always two or three degrees colder there than it is in Sheffield so that fire was just the job on a chilly afternoon in December.
Jill arrived after her shopping expedition and had half a pint of "Cruzcampo" Spanish beer with us before we headed back to the big city via Taddington and Ashford-in-the-Water. By the way, all the food we ate and the drinks we sank were paid for with past pub quiz winnings!
Sounds like a fun excursion even with the detour. I've always wanted to try sticky toffee pudding but only real and authentic. I could find a recipe and make it (I'm a good home cook) but I think it wouldn't be the real thing.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that your own sticky toffee pudding would be better than most Deb. Go on young lady! Give it a go.
Deletethat's a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed Red.
DeleteSounds like a lovely day out, with a roaring fire too to keep the cold at bay.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that you need roaring fires in Adelaide right now!
DeleteIt sounds like a very good way to spend time with your quiz team mates - and your winnings! Jill probably had as much fun as you did, just in a much quieter way.
ReplyDeleteLast night, I met up with two of my pub quiz team mates for a stroll across the Christmas market; there were supposed to be more of us, but one is gallivanting around the world for a sabbatical right now and another one has child duty this week, so there just the three of us. Still, it was an enjoyable evening with the typical foods and drinks you find at our Christmas Market, and a brief visit at "our" pub which was doing a roaring trade, especially once the market closed at 9:00 pm and the stall holders joined the visitors.
Were you able to walk home in a straight line?
DeleteLet me get this clear. You all put money in a prize pot and then it is distributed as prize money to quiz winners. Did all of the winners donate their prize money, or perhaps not all the prize money is distributed as prizes, some held back for a pre Christmas celebration. The distribution of wealth is not my strong point.
ReplyDeleteTo explain... Take last Sunday for example. We were up against six other quiz teams. Most teams purchase two or three quiz sheets each (£2 per sheet). The winners get this "pot". There is also a £20 bar voucher. We won just shy of £50 in total.
DeleteI have often thought about visiting Buxton but never got around to it. I must add it back on to my wish list.
ReplyDeleteIf you do go, go in the summer and also see what's on at the very charming Buxton Opera House.
DeleteA lovely outing with good quiz friends AND the meal was basically free?? Win, win.
ReplyDeleteWe earned that meal with our quizzing. A nice reward.
DeleteSounds like a great day out, with the safety of a designated driver.
ReplyDeleteI was the designated navigator and I spoke like a satnav.
DeleteWell-planned and well-executed and well-enjoyed! Complications can arise but it sounds like you all figured it out nicely.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, we set off early.
DeleteNice of Jill to volunteer to be the designated driver for you guys. I Googled sticky toffee pudding to see what it looks like. Is it a spice cake with caramel sauce?
ReplyDeleteI would not say that it was especially spicy Ellen - just sweet and gooey and spongy.
Delete