England 02/05

It didn't seem to matter where we went in Chesterfield we could see the twisted church spire. I'll paste in Yorkshire Pudding's comment on yesterday's post. I'll just add that the church is centuries old but the spire seems to have been added in 1362. In the 1700s 33 tons of lead sheeting was added to the tower. Repairs were made and much work has happened into the twentieth century, often after fires and one lightning strike. While YP's account of the spire is plausible, I prefer the one that the devil was resting in the spire when incense wafted up from the church. He sneezed so violently, the bent the spire.  

"That is the twisted spire of St Mary's Church and the reason why the local football club - Chesterfield F.C. - are nicknamed The Spireites. I understand that the spire is twisted because the wood of its framework had not been fully seasoned before construction took place."

So we were out on our own reasonably early and wandered the old town just five minutes walk away from our hotel. The market village was still sleepy. Aren't these Tudor buildings wonderful. 

To the south I think, there were modern shops and a supermarket and I assume a large car park.

R couldn't resist the Royal tat this time and bought a teaspoon I think with a royal theme on the handle.

We found a nice little place to sit outdoors for coffee. We had already availed ourselves of the included hotel buffet breakfast.

We had arranged to meet R's cousin and his wife for lunch. They collected us at our hotel and we drove somewhere and it was just lovely. The cuz was a family playmate of R's when he was young. The day before R moved to Australia in 1970, his three year older cousin was driving the bus R rode on and R told him he was moving to Australia. They never heard from each other again until this cousin popped up on FB. Naturally there was much family news catch up along with reminiscing... along with contacts for even more old cousins, his remaining brother and sister. 

This area would go off like a cracker on a warm summer's day. Today was not a warm summer's day.

A headless swan swimming on what is a human made lake overlooked by the hotel. I guess the lake is called Smithy Pond.

A Canada goose resting or nesting below the hotel deck. It was a huge bird.

Can you see a green tinge to the water? 

R's cousin is 77 and estranged from the children of his first marriage and twenty years ago married a woman much younger than himself. She is about to turn 40 and she is warm and lovely woman who has always called Chesterfield home. We left the hotel to pick up their 16 year old son from school and went back to their home for coffee, a house with the front door right on the street. A very happy family in spite of the age difference. She drove us back to our hotel the long way, through the area where she grew up and went to school. She pointed out many places which I have now totally forgotten. 

That night we had a fantastic meal at this place and it wasn't expensive. YP, can you give it a glowing review on my behalf please. Please insert the word succulent. 

The cousin suggested a few places we could visit near Chesterfield the next day. One suggestion made my eyes pop wide open and then roll in various directions in anticipation. Can anyone guess?