I spent my birthday weekend in the delightful village of Parwich, near Ashbourne in Derbyshire. I chose Parwich because it is close to where my family live near the city of Derby.
Left to right – Granddaughters Patsy, Heidi and Molly, Grandson William, Nicola, Mum Joan, daughter Sally, Richard’s wife Deanna, Kim, brother Richard and son Jonathan.
And one with the dog, Kylie…
It turned out to be much better than I had hoped for or anticipated, an immaculate village where property prices start north of £1m and where pride in the village is everywhere in evidence. No litter, no dog fouling, no graffiti just an overwhelming sense of the immaculate.
And a very good pub, the Sycamore Inn, where we had an excellent birthday meal…
I would nominate Parwich as the most perfect archetypal village in England, even better than Emmerdale. Much better, in my opinion, than anywhere in the overrated Cotswolds or in Devon and Cornwall.
I especially liked this cottage with possibly the tallest foxglove that I have ever seen..
Even the shed doors are well turned out…
Eventually the rain cleared away to the east and my daughter Sally organised a walk from the village across muddy fields and puddled farm tracks…
I gave up half way because living at almost sea level in Lincolnshire I am quite unaccustomed to dealing with hills, I went to the British Legion and had a pint of local ale and was not disappointed.
Later Kim prepared a fabulous buffet, the weather continued to improve and we were able to spend time in the garden.
I apologise for the shirt, my daughter bought it for me. She has an unusual sense of humour. Anyway I felt obliged to wear it for the occasion…
Great looking doors, Andrew. And it is always wonderful to be spending birthdays with family. Enjoy your time at this beautiful place
LikeLike
Thank you Teresa.
LikeLike
What a wonderful tour. It does look almost too good to be true.
LikeLike
Thank you John
LikeLike
Well done to Sally for the awful shirt, to Kim for the fabulous buffet and to the family for just being there for you.
LikeLike
Thank you Jo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great celebration – apart perhaps from the shirt 😉 Well done your family for master-minding every detail!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah right in the heart of my home territory, Andrew. Just the sight of the cottages and dry stone walls makes me feel nostalgic. So many childhood memories of weekend trips into the Peak, so many lifetime memories of Ashbourne and the surrounding villages. Liking the fact that it you liked it so much.
LikeLike
I did live nearby for almost 20 years. Afternoon visits to Carsington Water, trips on the Butterly steam trains, the Crich tramway museum.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Belated Happy birthday and a charming selection of doors from a delightful village
LikeLike
Thank you Sheree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome Andrew
LikeLike
Well done your family for organising! Shame about the shirt, though!! 😳
LikeLike
The shirt is a shocker. It is safely in the cupboard now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
looks like a wonderful place and happy birthday !
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely family weekend you had. Parwich looks beautiful – I have never heard of it before, though I’ve been to quite a few places in Derbyshire. And you deserve a medal for actually wearing that shirt – and being photographed in it for posterity!
LikeLike
Magnificent village and shirt Andrew and well done to your daughter for her er wonderful choice hahaha.
LikeLike
The shirt was a small price to pay for such a good day in such a perfect place.
LikeLike
I was developing that opinion of Parwich just by looking at your first gallery of doors. Nice to hear such laudatory descriptions and now the town will certainly be added to my list of places to see. I’m glad you had a nice time with family and that the ale was satisfactory when the hills were not.
LikeLike