I feel like writing up this overall story, as if written by Sod (the one responsible for the famous law)...; he would consider it proof positive of its universal applicability.
Gina Vandeleur and I set off north again by car at the end of a period of southerly winds, knowing we were heading back into a meteorological soup caused by an occlusion which moseyed slowly south, and then slowly north, right over where we needed to fly, bringing warnings of all the stuff we encountered and more.
We stayed the first night at the same Days Inn at the M1 Woodall Services near Sheffield where Tina welcomed us like long lost friends. Another 4.30 metcheck, up at 5,30. It was raining - naturellement - so we grabbed a cooked breakfast before catching the breeze and getting airborne in (short-term) weather just after midday for a 1 hour 7 minute 27 mile flight to Ashbourne on the edge of the Peak District which was curtailed by massing clouds again; rain started within minutes of my landing. It was an attractive flight, though I found the deep wooded valleys over which I flew at height disconcerting: where to go if the engine failed.....?
We had lunch in the very attractive and affluent- it seemed - Ashbourne, and then waited (once the weather started clearing towards evening) for an adequate breath of wind which never materialised. Long day again; 27 miles to show for it. We found accommodation in a splendid 400 year old Hall at Hartington (photo below). 5 star enterprise for the rich and famous - £300 for a room? Nope. YHA - less than £30 each for our two rooms. Never knew what fantastic facilities the YHA have. Had also never been to the Lake District - rolling hills ... high ... grass and sheep (not moor) enclosed in fine grey stone walls, signs of ancient earth works and structures, small stone built bothies/shepherds' huts in the far off corners,
Hartington Hall - Peak District - YHA - £30/night for a room