We had been to the old hostelry for Sunday dinner, using a voucher that our daughter, Frances, had kindly given to us for Christmas. Shirley had roast beef which she typically insisted had to be "well done" and I had rump of lamb. It was all pretty good and our waitress - Georgia - was lovely. With her blue eyes and plaited blonde hair, she looked like she had just arrived from some remote Norwegian fjord.
Normally, I slave away in our kitchen on a Sunday afternoon to produce a nice family meal but Frances is away in Denmark for a few days at a work-related training conference in Copenhagen and Stewart's parents were up in Sheffield to help take care of the mischievous sprites often referred to as our granddaughters.
Ashford sits by The River Wye which flows down to Bakewell from Buxton. The water is clear and the old Sheepwash Bridge that crosses it was made from local limestone in the seventeenth century. Here sheep were literally washed in the river right up to the 1930s. Traditionally, they were held in that stone pen to the left of the bridge.
We chatted to a British Asian couple who had driven up from Leicester for the day. They were sitting on a bench, watching the water and remembering days gone by when they often visited The Peak District. They seemed to be at peace in their contentment. Leicester would be an hour's drive back. Proportionately, that city's Asian population is bigger than in any other city in Britain - around 47%. I joked with them about the demise of Leicester City Football Club.
It had made a pleasant change to enjoy a Sunday dinner that had been made for me and not by me and in the evening light it had been delightful to remind ourselves of the quaint loveliness of Ashford-in-the-Water.
A good meal that has been made for you, and enjoyed in a beautiful place with beautiful company - a Sunday can't get much better than that, can it. Like Shirley, I would have wanted my meat to be "well done".
ReplyDeleteI would have thought that Bradford has the highest percentage of Asian population.
Bradford's Asian population is around 32.1%.
DeleteSuch a beautiful, romantic day!
ReplyDeleteI was wearing the "new" blue and white checked shirt that I bought at Age Concern for £6. I was also wearing smart khaki-coloured chinos and clean shoes. Though I say it myself, I think I looked gorgeous.
DeleteThat is a lovely old bridge and a nice looking duck too.
ReplyDeleteThe ducks did not behave as I wanted them to - flying off from that wall at the wrong moment each time.
DeleteThe classic English Sunday pub roast is being emulated here. I suggest you support pubs by going out more often for a Sunday roast, and how nice to not have to cook.
ReplyDeleteThe bridge looks marvellous.
Have you heard of "Go Fund Me"? Please contribute generously to the Yorkshire Pudding Sunday Roast Outing Fund.
DeleteWhat a lovely setting- how lucky you are to live nearby.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what it is about cemeteries but I find them so peaceful.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to break out of a routine now and then, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and it sounds like a good day. I'm with Shirley on the well done roast beef, otherwise you end up with a puddle of blood on the plate.
ReplyDeleteYou have a River Wye, and we have Wye road, I'm guessing our road was named after your river, as so many things are in Canada.
That poppy photo is lovely.
Sounds like a nice escape from Sunday kitchen drudgery!
ReplyDeleteA nice gift!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, you have a good eye
ReplyDeleteGreat photo of the Mallard hen and I always enjoy photos of graveyards.
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