OK, done with Wales - next stop Macclesfield in England's Peak District,
just south of Manchester. A four hour drive through the back roads of Wales, up hill and down dale. Weather is still holding good. After 2 hours of winding roads, we are both
growing weary of "back roads" and are looking forward to getting back onto the M6 motorway.

By the time we get to the hotel, about 3pm, it's already getting dark, so there is little chance
of doing any exploring until tomorrow. So, after a hearty evening meal
and a few ales, its time to consult google maps to map out an
exploration route. We've decided to visit four or five villages in the
area and then do a run up to Liverpool for a quick look.

So, in the morning we head off to Buxton, our first stop. This is a largish
town in the middle of the peak district, and quite picturesque it is
too. Tree lined streets, beautiful old buildings, all set within rolling
hills and valleys. This proved to be the best of the rest. Fairfield,
Dove Holes, Chapel-en-le-frith, Hayfield, and Whaley Bridge, are nice,
but just your average small village. The scenery between villages varies
from spectacular peaks and valleys, to frozen lakes and rivers - at
times all shrouded in dense fog.

Happy new year to all.

Liverpool turns out to be a bit of a disappointment - no wonder the Beatles left
as soon as they could. Row upon row of tenement housing, huge docks
covering the river Mersey and coast, crowded roads - nothing much to
recommend it. So we do a drive-by past Anfield Park, the Liverpool
Football club's home ground, for a quick photo (just to prove we were
there) and then head back to Macclesfield for the night.