Heights of Abraham

Today we drove up through Buxton (reportedly the highest town in England) and around to Matlock Bath. There was certainly plenty of snow around Buxton, which is a spa town and very picturesque.

The reason for travelling to Matlock Bath was to visit the mines up on the Heights of Abraham. What a wonderful biblical name to give a place, or at least that is what I thought until I found out the truth. It was once called Masson Hill but received a change name during the 1800's when mining was no longer viable and the owners decided to make the mines into a tourist attraction. At that time it was fashionable to name places after great English military victories. The original 'Heights of Abraham' is above Quebec and the English military forces were victorious there in 1759, although General James Wolfe was killed during the battle. He of course became a popular hero.

We travelled up in a cable car, all very exciting. It was a misty day so the views were a bit limited. We visited two mines and found out about lead mining and what a dreadful life it was for women and children as they had to separate the lead from the other minerals. Most died in the process of course, while the men worked in better conditions down in the warm mines. Typical! The mining continued for centuries and it was amazing how much lead was dug out, mostly by using picks and small levers. The tunnels and caverns are also very extensive and very interesting, with lots of geological facts to learn in the process.

We look very happy and relaxed in the cable car (I managed to hide my fear of heights well).

A view looking down at the restaurant and shop from the tower (more height problems and many stairs).

I also found out that the name of the highest mountain, Kinder Scout, means 'water over the edge'.

Last night I read in 'I never knew that about England' that Stoke on Trent is actually comprised of five towns, Stoke, Burslem, Longton, Hanley and Tunstsall, which accounts for the place being so disjointed and muddly. Also the area is well known for its pottery, with names such as Wedgewood, Davenport, Minton, Copeland and Doulton originating there. Waterworld is situated in an area called Etruria which started out as a village for pottery workers. Josiah Wedgewood named it Etruria in honour of a classical vase which he mistakenly thought was Etruscan.

Tonight I suffered extreme humiliation by losing dreadfully at Uno, and it was not due to Isabel's adding up either. In fact she is a whizz with numbers. Obviously I need some new strategies to compete with Isabel and Jackson.