Lori and Tim in the UK: Hardwick Hall and (more) Matlock

Hardwick Hall and (more) Matlock

Lori and I went to Hardwick Hall for the day. Hardwick Hall was built by Bess of Hardwick, the richest women in Englan beside Queen Elizabeth I. She was married 4 times, and widowed three times. Bess became famous for her building projects, especially two of them; Chatworth (on the list of things to see, also near Derby), and Hardwick Hall. She's buried in a vault in the Derby Cathedral (1608).

The first Hardwick Castle. After Bess became wealthy, she built her own castle on the same grounds. The older castle was used for guests and servant quarters (and eventually partially sold off for building materials).

The new(er) Hardwick Hall.

View from the old Castle. The field of yellow is rapeseed, a cash crop and primarily used for biodiesel fuel in the UK.

A close up of rapeseed

This would look nice in our backyard back home

A nice backyard

Lori having a moment with Bess - hopefully not thinking about her next husband :)

Bess of Hardwick Hall

Bess in stone

The house is full of 1600's tapestries

Lori is rather uncomfortable walking amongst nature... and the animals seem to sense it.

Mom and her new lambs didn't seem to notice us . but Lori again uncomfortable when then they followed us down the trail

This guy was a little timid... he felt safer behind a tree with Mom

MATLOCK

Matlock is a small town nearby in the Peak district. It was finally warm ~ 70F - shorts weather!! (the warm didn't last many days)

Matlock --- UK putt putt golf... this is a poor man's putting green, with numbered stakes in the ground.. nobody was playing, but I assume that you putt to the next stake and count your strokes until you hit the stake..