Covid Holidays Chronicle: Day One – Heights of Abraham Adventure
Cruising the UK: A Stint from San Fran to Matlock Bath
Well, well, well, instead of jet-setting from the golden gates of San Francisco to the majestic landscapes of Yosemite Park, here we are, Michele and I, grounded in the heart of the UK. Seven months of relentless grind, working from the cozy cocoon of our homes, but guess what? We’re not tossing our vacation dreams out the window. Oh no! We’ve decided to embrace the ‘staycation’ vibe and explore the wonders that the UK has hidden up its sleeve.
Hitting the Road: Matlock Bath Beckons
Bright and early, Michele pops the question, “How about Matlock Bath in the Peak District?” My reaction? A befuddled stare. Google, my trusted companion, quickly fills in the gaps. The pièce de résistance of this Victorian Spa town? The Heights of Abraham, as raved about on TripAdvisor. Tickets? Booked online for a princely sum of £19 each.
So, southward bound we go, embarking on a 65-mile joyride that promises 1 hour and 40 minutes of scenic bliss. M61, M60, the snazzy new Manchester Airport Eastern Link Road, and finally the A6 lead us through the enchanting Peak District, past Bakewell, depositing us at the Matlock Bath rail station by 11:20.
Heights of Abraham: Scaling Heights and Conquering Caverns
Parking at the rail station comes at a premium—£6 for the day, to be precise. A brisk saunter takes us to the Cable Car base station, where we snag our pre-booked tickets.
Health and Safety, the buzzwords of the era, are plastered all around. Masks on, we hop onto the cable car, anticipating a leisurely ascent. Spoiler alert: the cable car hits pause mid-air, much to Michele’s dismay. Heights and mid-air suspension? Not her cup of English breakfast tea.
Cavern Capers: The Great Masson Cavern
Post-cable-car-drama, we orient ourselves with the park layout. Lo and behold, an imminent tour of the Great Masson Cavern beckons.
A disused lead mine transformed into a well-lit spectacle, our guide regales us with tales aplenty. 173 steps, 159 of them uphill—cramped for those over 5 feet (1.524m). Michele? Surviving. Cue the annoyance: a couple of families with raucous kiddos make eavesdropping on the guide an Olympic feat. Lights out, candles on, and a momentary trip into the miners’ shoes. Gratitude check: glad we’re not candle-bearing miners in 2024!
Lunchtime! Cafe perched, fantastic views unfurl, and our minds wander over the hills towards Matlock Bath.
Post-lunch stroll through the park leads us to the lower cavern, The Great Rutland Cavern. Another knowledgeable guide, sans steps this time. The return climb to the apex of Heights of Abraham is a workout. Michele, checking her pulse (173bpm!) on her trusty iPhone, recovers with a cooling ice cream session in the afternoon sun.
Matlock Bath’s Fishy Business
Down at the lower echelon, Matlock Bath awaits our exploration. Alas, our excitement fizzes out as it unveils itself—a string of ‘fish and chip’ shops and amusement arcades. Oh, what would the Victorians say about their once-elegant town?
Homeward Bound: SATNAV Shenanigans
Time to wrap up the day. The SATNAV, in its wisdom, weaves a convoluted path through the Peak District. Rush hour traffic dodged, scenic routes embraced—we roll back home, reminiscing about the Heights of Abraham escapade.
