Knights of the Double Black Diamond

Last night I went to a social club at Gateway Mencap in Sheffield. There was a coffee house room and a music room for dancing and a games room with snooker tables. I got to see Angela’s office because she works there. I met some new friends. Simon was looking out for me for Angela. I danced with a guy named Michael. I watched some soccer, or as they call it, football. It was a really fun night.

Castle in the distance

Today we went to a castle. It is called Peveril Castle and is in a town called Castleton. It was a really, really long walk up to the castle. If they had snow, and if you could ski there, it would be like skiing down a double black diamond. The castle is over 1000 years old. When you get to the top, it is a beautiful view.

The view from the castle

When the castle was built, there would have been knights in armour and the king would sometimes come to visit the castle. This was medieval times.

Outdoor lunch on a beautiful day

After we looked at the castle, we had lunch in the pretty little town of Castleton. We saw a school that looked like something from Harry Potter.

In the farms all around the town, there were lots and lots of sheep and lots of cute baby lambs, chasing after their moms. (In England, they spell mom different. They spell it mum.)

This isn't lunch, Ollie.

There are lots of mountains all around and as we were driving out of Castleton, we drove through a tiny valley between the mountains. It felt like the mountains were hugging us. The roads were really narrow and again, they were twisty. My dad is getting more used to driving on the other side of the road but he still drives slower than the other drivers.

British word of the day: cuppa = cup of tea

p.s. So sad to hear the real Knights - the London Knights - are done for the year but it sounds like they played well.

written by

valnyhout on April 22, 2009 from Castleton, United Kingdom

from the travel blog: Finding my British Roots, eh?

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Hi Val,
Kevin and I are really enjoying your blog! We hope to go to England next year and so your pictures are even more exciting! Hope your parents aren't too tired keeping up with you!
Can't wait to read more,
Brenda and Kevin Calhoun

written by Brenda Calhoun on April 22, 2009

Hi Val; You are having the most fascinating trip! The weather looks great for you! Lucky you.....lunch outdoors....it has been cold and rainy here, but is supposed to get warmer by the weekend. Castleton is such a pretty little place.....I like the small towns.You are really on a "C&C" (castles and cathedrals)trip! We stayed in a B&B in Wales that had the curvy Stone steps. The owner thought I was nuts because I took pictures of the steps! I wonder why we call it soccer instead of football? In Australia they call it "footie"! You have turned into a "party animal"...all that dancing etc! Jackie should be there soon....yeah! Keep writing these wonderful blogs! Love Nana and Papa

written by Nana & Papa on April 23, 2009

Hi Val
The pictures you have shown are of Castleton, in Derbyshire but the blogabond pointer is, I think to the Castleton near Whitby in North Yorkshire. It is very confusing but sadly quite common to have several places with the same name in the UK. Castleton, Derbyshire is a lovely little town as you have said; the steep valley you went up sounds like Winnats Pass which is just beyond Castleton going from Sheffield. Near the top is The Entrance to the famous 'Blue John' cave. I guess you didn't have time to visit it but if you are out that way again, it is worth it! Lucky you being able to sit outside in the sun while you had lunch. If you found it hard work walking up to the castle, imagine how tough it must have been for the knights in their armour!

Keep blogging

Rick

written by Old Man of Cockshutt on April 23, 2009

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