And now for something completely different

This is Chatsworth House for those of you who didn't recognise it. I was hoping to trot up Kinder Scout today but suggested that we have a quiter day and take the short trip from Hayfield to Chatsworth as she had long wanted to see the house and grounds. And anyway, I'd worn a blister on my heel and her feet were not too good.

So we walked quite a few miles around the grounds instead. The Cascade Fountain was not working owing to ongoing repairs which was a disappointment but as there was no scaffolding around the place, as there usually is when we visit an ancient monment, on the whole it was OK.

It was quite expensive to get in and there was a £3.00 carparking charge as well which I thought was a little odd. We enjoyed the grounds, especially the kitchen garden and we enjoyed soup in the Stables by which time the House beckoned.

Each time I visit one of these stately homes I wonder how it was there was not a glorious revolution in this country to rid us of the wealthy aristocracy whose fortunes were made at the expense and sweat of the working population. It draws out the socialist in me. The house was dripping with painting, artifacts, objects, furniture and oplulence, too much to take in, each room more detailed and sumptious than the last.

The information guides were saturated with the 4th Duke this and the 6th Duke that so that you lost track of who came where and did what. I did think it was quite ironic that the 4th Earl, who eventually became the first Duke of Devonshire, built much of the grand house in order to entertain William III. The Earl had been part of the conspiricy to usurp the Catholic James and was rewarded for his efforts by being made a Duke. But obviously the new King didn't think that highly of the Duke as he never came to visit and the vast and ornate state rooms lay unused until the early 20th century.

The challenge of trying to capture a blip at places like Chatsworth is to find a shot that tells people where you are but at the same time gives a new insight into the place. That was what I was trying to do here, but I think I could have done better.

The evening was spent at the main event - the 18th birthday party of my nephew at a pub in Hayfield. A curious mixure of adults and young people who kept apart, understandably, for the whole evening. The disco tracks though, were popular with both generations and it wasn't too loud either.