Hasn’t the weather changed and abruptly too ? It’s been gales here all day. Gramps is full again, a group of lads left today and then the family that come every year, on the same weekend arrived this afternoon. Great family, they love the outdoors, and they’re doing the ‘Goat Experience’ on Sunday, I will keep you posted on how they do !! Cosy Hut has a couple in, hope they enjoy the Peak District.
Gareth has gone to the End of The Road Festival, last one, Pulp are taking a year off, Jarvis paid us a visit a couple of weeks ago, he’s had an extremely busy year with the band. Might see what our Patron is up to next year !!
Fox House has had cameras and a paying system placed in the car park; mixed feelings from people. Some say they will be able to park so they can go for a meal (at last), and others say where will folk park , who want to go walking/ climbing etc ?
There are more people visiting the area, and parking is very restricted. Please remember to park sensibly when in the Peaks, some folk are working requiring access to farms/gates/fields etc , there’s the emergency services that may have to get through, people live here; think of them when you are parking .
I will leave you with this picture, one of our stag groups this summer, abseiling at Lawrencefield, near Surprise car park. Speaking of which, that wil be closed off for 1 year from Oct 2026 , for the new pipeline, from Severn Trent .

10th Sept 2026.
This morning I thought I would have time out, went for a mountain bike ride, (took my cousin at the weekend, we had such a laugh, and good catch up.) SO, I get back, walk into the centre, don’t know why, just thought I would check in on something, and BINGO…….. my sixth sense was right, WATER pouring through the ceiling, near the drying room!!!! The shower inlet pipe and snapped inside , it was pouring through the ceiling, into the corridor, the catering cupboard and duvet/ pillow cupboard !!!!!!
Took me & Gareth, 2 hours to clean up, thanks to the 2 wet/dry hoovers we have, back breaking but once again, we did it !
Honestly, there is always something, round here !!!
On my ride I stopped at Badger Cottages, see below, current view of the cottage, and on the right Badger House, was Oxdale Lodge, built as an Inn, around 1882, serving weary cattle men, and their cattle overnight, before heading to the Sheffield markets. It was renamed Badger House early 20th Century . Housed a game keeper for the Duke of Rutland. Demolished 1936.
Hope you enjoy this bit of history

