On our search to arrive at Bamford Road we viewed many properties which did not need the amount of TLC that this place needs. But none of them fulfilled the citeria of being in the countryside and have nearby civilisation, at an affordable price. Despite the doom and gloom of our surveyor this place turned out to be not so bad after all.
To start with we thought that we would need to do a great deal of redecorating. (To that end I had a painter on standby to tackle the ceilings.) In the event we arrived to find a high level of decoration done and even most of the carpets were reasonably new.
The kitchen was also better than we had hoped and the gas appliances were of a high quality and worked very well. The downside of the bungalow was lack of storage, particularly in the kitchen. The dining table just squeezes into the breakfast area.
We were let down over the washing machine. There was an agreement for the previous owners to leave their machine behind. In the event our decision to bring our own proved wise.
A huge number of boxes were piled into the garage.
By the end of the day we were pretty shattered and went out for a carvery at the 'Little Castle' near the motorway. We repeated the carvery on the following evening.
I had prebooked to have tradesmen arrive on the day following our arrival. I needed a roof man, a plumber and, most of all Internet to include t.v. and land line.
The plumber was an early arrival and was able to repair the damage to the washing machine connection, install the garden tap, removed the condemned gas fire and check the gas supply. Before he left we had him booked to replace the sink tap and install a central heater timer. (For a week or two we had to switch the heating on in the morning and off at night.
Close behind him came an 'Openreach' engineer. After a days work he proclaimed that there were not enough lines to the local cabinet and that he would have to report back to base.
Apart from no broadband there was no T.V. For the few days without T.V. we resorted to watching a few films previously recorded on the laptop. It a few days before we could find the T.V. remote and tune into 'Freeview'. At this point we discovered that 'Sky' had completely messed up our order and had not included T.V. in the package.
By the third day there was some semblance of order in the bungalow, especially the living room.
On the first Thursday I went off to 'Polar Windows' to begin enquiring about booking for a quote for an extension. I bought Mark back with me. The first thing that he said was "You two shine". We sat down to work on the quote. I told him what our budget was and he started to do the sums. I looked on and commented as the quote went up and up. At the end he said that he would give us 45% off. Within budget and what happened to three quotes? The next day I called Mark back again to quote for the garage doors. Mark became something of a friend and has called in on the odd occasion just for a chat.
By the first Sunday we were ready to begin to do what we had come here for, namely to explore the beautiful countryside. Bluebells were growing in the hedgerow opposite and the fields were yellow.
On Monday it was good to have our long-time friends, Paul and Mary, come over to visit. Naturally, it had to be one of the wet days that we were experiencing, but we always enjoy their company.
With great anticipation I sat in the sitting room as the next 'Openreach' man arrived. Inspiring confidence I went out to great him and having him tell me that we did have a live phone line to the house. When I looked at the box I quickly spotted that he had actually cut off our next door neighbour. He did not stay much longer and we have had no more visits to date (1st Aug).
On Tuesday we started our shopping trips into Chesterfield. Firstly we visited B & Q and began planning our bathroom. An important stop was at council offices to register ourselves and to apply for our 'Goldcard'. (The Derbyshire 'Goldcard' is more than a bus pass; it is also the library card and a discount card for many Debyshire businesses.) Lack of wi-fi also sent us into town to be customers of MacDonald's free Internet service. We also found that Wilkos and the market were also useful facilities. We went mad and added to our O.S, map collection.
On the 12th there was a break from our work before the busy week to come.
It is well orchestrated and much favoured by young people.
In the afternoon we had a much more quiet time. We walked up and through 'West Wood'; going along the TPT. It was a peaceful woodland walk with bluebells in abundance
Then another busy week began. It started with a lovely lady engineer installing our SKY t.v. We then got to Wickes to look at kitchen prices. In the afternoon Gary the roofer invaded to begin the process of scraping moss off the roof.A weekly drive into Chesterfield was becoming standard. We like the town and its market. Once again there was an 'internet' visit to MacDonalds. But the important mission was to sign up for our 'Gold Cards'. The officer took our photos and we were signed up. That evening we made use of our time and this place to enjoy an evening stroll along the TPT.
On Friday our plumber fitted the new taps and the central heating controller. Exciting stuff.
Undaunted by our first visit to IKON church we got there on time following Sunday, and an older couple sat next to us. After the service they invited us to their home for coffee and subsequently to an evening meeting. Despite this we concluded that the church was not for us.
Joni and Fiona had arrived back from New Zealand at the weekend. They had planned a surprise attendance at a friend's wedding. Unfortunately the wedding was cancelled. It did mean that we could spend a day with him on Monday'
We were a bit naughty and prevailed upon him to help us load more IKEA furniture into the car.
Note: We have become members of the IKEA family. We like Sheffield IKEA; apart from the long walk to collect the goods. We have now purchased 6 sets of drawers and 4 wall cupboards.
Having loaded the furniture into the car we went to Trent Lock. It was a beautiful day to walk along the canal.
It was even warm enough to enjoy dinner outdoors before coming home.
It would then be over a week before we would see Joni up here in Inkersall.
My work for the next few days would be in learning IKEA speak as I assembled more drawers. By then we would have a run of 4 sets of drawers on the wall opposite the bed. More boxes could be unloaded.
As was our way we were to be found in Chesterfield. We had need to do more on the Internet. Chesterfield has some market stalls every day but Thursday is the main market day. This is because the flea market is on. I bought a book from a man that sells second hand books. A book can be returned a new book purchased for half price. We bought bits from Wilkos and Irene bought plants at the plant store. The Haven Camera Club's theme for the month was colour. The stalls selling bags, fruit and veg. and flowers presented a good opportunity.
On Saturday we continued our exploration of West Wood. The plan was to turn right at the entrance and try to follow through the wood to reach Ringwood Lake. In the event it proved further than we expected, but we did drop down into the steep sided valley containing Trough Brook. I find it amazing that such a small amount of water can cut such a deep valley.
During the week we had a pleasant surprise from Chesterfield Borough Council. Each council tax payer receives a card enabling free parking in the council's car parks before 10.00 am, after 6.00 pm and all day Sunday. This was a blessing for two reasons which I shall share.
The first use of the parking pass was to attend the New Life Church. There is proper name for the car park but it is commonly known as the 'Doughnut'. There were a number of coincidences about the church. Firstly, my photographer friend, Peter Eyre had told me that he and his wife used to go to dance in the 'Winding Wheel' (the building where the church meets. Secondly, the furniture directly opposite was 'Eyres' (nothing to do with Peter). Thirdly, the leader (David Bunting) had shared a house with an old church friend of ours (Martin Holland). In fact, Martin's wife (Allison) was at Matlock College with David's wife (Allison).
After returning from church and deciding that it was more our style we began the task of re-ordering the study so that the double bed could be put down ready to accommodate Joni and Fiona when they arrived on Tuesday. The next use of the free parking was to go into town for the evening meal.
On Wednesday Tim, Isla and Izzie came to join us. It had to be one of those damp days and we managed a short walk along the TPT.
As the picture shows it was a bit of as quash to get round the table in a room that was not meant for it.
The next day was exciting. Joni and Fiona were much exercised by our lack of broadband and phone. I think Fiona was genuinely annoyed by the people in the SKY call centre, but she did get us a £5.00 per day compensation.
We all manage to get down to Hardwick Hall. It had been some time since Irene and me had been in and it was something of a treat.
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For our last day with them we decided to visit Bolsover Castle. At that time all that I knew of Bolsover to that time was our visits to the Household Waste Recycling Centre. (Note: It is a brilliantly organised site with very obliging workers who rush straight to your car as soon as you park.)
The area around the castle proved difficult to park on. Hats off to Fiona for her patience and skill. The castle is on a very large site. There are activities for the young. There are a variety of ruins and restored part and we all had fun.
That ended our first full month in this place and a memorable visit.
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We call Tuesday June 4th 'Shed Day'. The mission was to track down a suitable shed. We had an enjoyable time meeting shed enthusiasts. The first shed maker was on an island in the middle of Chesterfield. All the sheds had pretty names. He kept a barn owl and a snowy owl in sheds and various animal sculptures decorated the sight. The man was very knowledgeable but his order book was long. The next shed maker was on Storforth Lane. A road famous for the number of industrial units on it. We met an interesting young man, but once again the order book was long.
Finally, we made the long trek to 'Sheds 4 U' in Pleasley. After a false start we eventually found the 'Old School House' and another shed expert. This time he said that he could deliver by the second week of July (it is now 29th July and this has not happened).
Later in the day we ordered a loft ladder and light.
One of the first things that I needed to do was track down a place to get my free hearing aid batteries. The only reply from the surgery was that I needed to go to 'Specsavers'. This I found strange. When I went to see them I was told that I first needed to register with them by having an audiology examination. So, I turned up for my appointment. The first question was 'Can I walk upstairs?'. (So many times since I have been here as my age related ability been questioned. In fact, I feel more rejuvenated than ever.) Upstairs I was ushered in to a well equipped room and the tests began. To my surprise I left with a pair of hi-tech hearing aids which were less visible and phone operated.
Before going to Specsaver we decided to have a visit to Calver and walk along the stretch of the River Derwent. It is an easy walk and very flower-filled. This time we went further on to get a view of Curbar Edge and I could recall seeing the area we were in from the cliff tops.
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Our Sunday routine was continuing. After church we decided to park at the Ringwood Lake car park and have a picnic. It was busy and quite noisy. Firstly, we walked along the lake and into West Wood. The lake had signs of early summer with flag irises and water lilies in blossom and coot chicks enjoying their new lives.
Before leaving we thought that we would investigate the source of the noise. Up on the hill we found that the loud p.a. system was being used to commentate the BMX races that were taking place.
On Monday the loft ladder was fitted and now we could make better use of the space.
With some excitement about meeting my doctor for the first time I set off to the 'Royal Primary Care' centre. (It is a magnificent new building with a floor of consulting rooms below, treatment rooms above and a direct connection to the well stocked pharmacy.) The reason for the visit was my medical MOT. A nurse took my blood pressure and drew blood.
Having found out that our church had an afternoon home group in Brimington, 10 minutes away, we thought that we would give it a try.
True to our new form of having few scheduled meetings, on Sunday we did not go to church. Instead we went to Longshaw Lodge for a flower walk. The number of different species of flowers found in one small field was amazing.
The star of the show was a the adders tongue. If not for our knowledgeable guide we would not have seen it. We were invited to go on 20 minute hike into the next field to see the demure sample of it.
Thinking that the arrival of the shed was immanent, I got on with building the base. Our ground slopes and so we faced with the engineering task of making it level. Youtube is a great source of inspiration.
Also notice the installation of the composter.
Our lifestyle change was confirmed as Friday was an outing day. Friday has never been a choice of going out. Renishaw gardens was our destination. We had been once before using our 'Two-for-one' deal. This time I noticed that deal was not necessary as Derbyshire 'Gold Card' gave the same benefits. The noticeable difference was that, this time, we were only 15 minutes drive away.
It is such a beautiful place, so close to home. The weather was superb and we even had time to sit and draw.
Our explorations continued on Saturday with a visit to Barrow Hill Round House. This important bit of railway history is only 5 minutes drive away. I guess that we could even walk. A lot of volunteers have given a lot of time to preserve and maintain the round house and the around 2 dozen engines on display. The main building is a square and in the centre is a turntable with 24 road ways coming out.
I do hope that the centre will attract a lot more visitors over summer. For £3 entrance and free car parking; what's to lose.
With the good summer days we could continue our plan of having a picnic after church. Having spied the canal on the way back from Barrow Hill the previous day we decided that our picnic would be at 'The Hollingwood Hub'. At this place are the offices for the Chesterfield Canal Society' and next to it is Katey's Coffee Shop. There is also a large, free car park. Many people were enjoying the summer sun. One day we shall enjoy a Katey's coffee. Today we sat and had our picnic and then had a one and a half hours walk; turning back at a bridge near Brimmington. On the walk Irene identified no few than 37 species of flowering plant.
On Monday we were back to house improvements. This time it was the replacement of our front garage door and the installation of the new side door. As always, we had superb workman and can declare ourselves pleased with the work. The front entrance is now through a proper door with a window over the bench and a good access to the garden for when the extension is in place.
Despite having some repairs to the roof the storms of the previous week had made their way through. In frustration I began to do some further research. Having been told before we moved of the exorbitant cost of asbestos roof removal, to my surprise I found a firm that would not only remove the roof (with waste carriers certification) but would also install a new roof at a an affordable price. So, on a terrible wet day the roof surveyor arrived. That morning he had travelled from Bury to Bridlington. Having come to us he would go over to Whitney and then to Oxford before returning back to bury.
He was booked to come to us at the same time as the next door neighbour from our previous house came to visit. Sadly the day was wet day. We picked her up at Chesterfield station. We were not able to let her walk on an inch of the TPT before taking her back to the station.
House improvements continued. But, we found time to have a stroll along the path towards Arkwright Town. NOTE: Arkwright town is little more than a housing estate. Located between Chesterfield and Bolsover on the A632 road it was formerly a coal mining village. Arkwright Colliery closed in 1988 and it was then discovered that the community was threatened by emissions of methane gas that caused some of its houses to be evacuated. The whole settlement was owned by British Coal and a decision was taken, along with Derbyshire County Council, to transfer ownership of the 52 properties to a housing trust, construct a new settlement of 56 properties to the north of the site affected by methane, and move all the residents. Construction was completed by 1995 when the old Arkwright Town was demolished. Part of the deal with British Coal included the use of open cast mining on a 100-acre site which began in November 1993 and continued for some years [Wikipedia].
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Looking over towards Bolsover Castle |
On Saturday it was blazing hot but we needed to get out. Appropriately, there is an Arkwright connection. Sutton Scarsdale is only a couple of miles from Arkwright Town. Richard Arkwright Junior; the son of his more famous father bought the house in 1824. Sadly, the house was auctioned off in 1919. A group of business asset stripped it; including the roof. Parts of it were used in film sets and were taken to the US. Decay set in. The house is now in the care of English Heritage. There is a car park and it is free to walk around the outside. There is marvellous meadow overlooking the motorway towards Bolsover Castle.
We thought that we would visit the church next door. This was only to find that it closed two weeks earlier, having found to be structurally unsafe.
With some time to spare we decided to visit canal in Staveley. Having crossed the bridge we walked a little way towards the Hollingsworth Hub. But not far as it was too hot. When we got to the car we came upon a character who was bemoaning that the council had stopped him from letting his horses feed on the grass by the canal. This decision did not please the Canal Trust as they now had to mow the grass themselves.
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