Les aventures d’une famille franco-anglaise

  After finding out about the High Peak trail last year when we cycled the second part of the Tissington Trail , I pencilled it in my plans for this year. We head there on the last bank holiday Monday. The weather was very cloudy and misty at the start but I am still glad we went as it got a bit better during the day. This time, I knew we had to turn left at this junction. One bit that I didn't like so much about that trail were the gates to open and shut behind us and the busy road to cross. In that respect, I preferred Tissington. However, there were some really great views. And it was lambing season! Perfect for my little girls who loves animals I would have stopped at Hudlow, north of Parsley Hay, but the writing on this gate told me "Come on, you can go to the end of the trail, only for the sake of an extra 1,5 miles!" I did it! Although the kids did not want to go that far with their crazy mum 😢 I also found out that the trail, as well as Monsal Trail , was part of...

Yesterday was a very nice day despite the forecast, and I thought after all those years in Nottingham, me and my daughters had never been to Attenborough Nature Reserve, despite it being so close to the pony club where my younger one goes. Even my husband had not heard about the Big Track, along the Trent! You almost feel like you are in Derbyshire at certain points. Certainly not a couple of miles away from Nottingham City centre. I never knew about that place near Beeston marina. It looks even better in real life! My daughter enjoyed watching the lock open to let a boat sail through At last we reached the visitor centre for a welcome break! We did not have a picnic sadly otherwise we would have stayed longer. This bridge is very familiar as it is where my husband drives to work. It felt good cycling underneath it rather than driving on it (in traffic) In total, it was a nearly 20 mile ride. My longest ever recorded on Strava. I was proud of all the family. I hope my girls are. I thin...

Last summer when we had our annual trip to Devon, we decided to make use of our roof top bike rack. unfortunately, we could not use much of our bikes. We thought of Northam Burrows Country park , but unfortunately, we can only visit it on foot. As cycling there to Appledore (for crab fishing) was not an option, we decided to go back another day on foot and it was definitely worth the walk and fun for the kids. I was most impressed by the Gray Sands as we approached Appledore! As for our animal loving younger daughter, there was a lot to see. On our last but one day, as the weather was not the greatest, we chose to go for a hike just at the top of the village. The views were great although it was recommended to be there at low tide, but that day, it was not quite possible for us, we were still impressed! We were so close to a helicopter taking off, we had to stop and watch, despite the noise! We obviously went to the beach loads of times, as we had a mostly sunny week. We even stayed tw...

I know it has been a while but here was my last family bike ride in Derbyshire, at a very popular location, near Bakewell, called Monsal Trail. Much like Tissington Trail, it is an old trainline; which means the terrain is mostly flat. It is just about 8 mile (13 km) long in total, though I only cycled half of it as French grandma was with us and she struggled to see inside dark tunnels. You will also cross a few high viaducts. As I said, it is a popular one so it gets very busy during bank holiday week-ends especially if the weather is pleasant. It is possible to hire a bike, as long as you can provide some form of ID. Possibility to have some food/drink at the point nearest Bakewell.  Now that summer is fast approaching, I am very much hoping to try the Manifold Trail, in Staffordshire, and the High Peak Trail, near the Tissington Trail. Hopefully, my teenager will not need too much persuasion.