This is the most relaxing holiday I have taken since leaving Australia. With our own car we were able to see much more than relying on other people getting us places....we could where we wanted when we wanted...and we did!

Eyam - Black Death, Plague, beauty town, tragic history this was the first smaller village we visited so it was a complete shock to step out of the car and see what you see on BBC television. One main Street, post office, church and not alot more other than the tourist ice cream place and the Eyam Museum. To talk seemed like you were doing somethign wrong as it really was that quiet.

Peak District National Park - close to South West Ireland...had to jump out of car to get this shot, after all who can grow up watching BBC Pride and Prejudice and not take the opportunity to be Elizabeth Bennett :) My attire may have been a little off though!

Longnor - Will go down as serving the best food in the UK and with a smile too which is far and few between the streets were steep and didn't really take you anywhere except back to the sopt you started. I did a look at the Church where Mr. Darcy was married though, so yah!

Lyme Hall - A.K.A Pemberly BBC version....and yes the shot where Elizabeth is riding in on the carriage and looks out over the lake is real and I found it and didn't want to leave! The steps he races down to invite Elizabeth's uncle to fly fish...yes real too....I love the Peak District I love Lyme Hall.

Alton Towers - Best rides:

1. Air - you lay down...yes lay down picture Leathal Weapon but then tip your chair ver so you are face down looking down at the tracks....then go...that is Air!

2. Oblivion - Picture sitting in chair like the Tower of Terror then along a track like superman then instead of speeding down the other side from an up right position, you fall into a hole in the ground at the sme speeds as the giant drop...facing the ground....mad rush!

3. Rita - not anything new but a goody none the less: start at the same speeds as Superman or Tower of Terror but end up getting thrown around the track like you are on the Cyclone.

Massive queues for all the rides...only got to do each one once....lots that are not mentioned above but don't rate in the top 3. Giant gaps between rides think Dreamworld then times it by 5!

Sudbury Hall - From the outside ok...inside beautiful! Gardens were not up to the scale of the others we have seen but are there. I did get to see where Mr. Darcy took his bath and the long room he walks down with his candle in hand so I left a happy camper. Rhiannon and I are starting to ignite a passion for the houses of the Peak District.

Stoke - on - Trent - OMG we're going to die was my first thought my final was where are all the people and why do more pubs not sell food...Snapped and had a drink at the Red Lion then left not much else to do really everything was closed.

Stratford - Upon - Avon - All that glisters is not gold...but today Stratford Upon Avon was glistening and it was gold. First a trip to and through Anne Hathaways Cottage....then on to Shakespeare's birthplace...his grave and a few influential houses along the way. I would repeat my thoughts about each but I found myself void of possible communication through-out I was in awe....this was a dream of mine ever since I picked up my first Shakespeare play at University and the dream was only to get better as before leaving for here I was able to book tickets to the RSC....not just to see a Shakespeare play....but to see my absolute favourite play ever written...after these past 16 months of travelling I have to believe in fate as too many of my dreams are now becoming reality.

Our obsession with the houses in the Peak District see's us finish week long trip with a visit to Hardwick Hall (old and new) and Charsowrth house. Both so grand inside and outside. Gardens to die for...if I enjoyed gardening I may attempt to re-create one of them one day...nah...I will just marry a landscape gardener :)

The last hours of the trip are spent in Derby laying on the green grass by the river...answering movie trivia quizzes in which Rhiannon is kicking my butt...but hey I think she may have studied a little more on the topic than me :)

A great time in the Peak District...another 3 dreams realised...I am a very lucky girl x