In praise of Youth Hostels.

Hello. What's the weather doing where you are? Parts of Britain have ground to a halt, people are either stuck in snow or are out enjoying it, or are huddled at home with no wish to venture out. There is no snow here which I am pleased about. I did my walk this morning, I need to do three miles every day now for the rest of the month, to reach my target. No slacking, no excuses, just do it. 

I'll just finish off the last of the photo's of my break last week. A few of the hostel. Hartington Hall is between Buxton and Ashbourne, just off the A515. The village is lovely, shops, pub, church, and school, and lots of farms all around it. 

This is the view from the car park, it's just starting to get dark and the pathway lights are on. 

If you have bags to unload you can drive right up to the building. Disabled badge holders can park in the small courtyard, they don't need to move their car to the car park. 

It looks very welcoming with the glowing interior lights. This is the front door, but it is just as easy to access the building through the side door.

The Christmas tree is up, with lights around the wood burner. They will light a fire if you ask, but to be honest, the whole building was hot enough with the central heating.

One of the two dining rooms. These get very full when there are school parties booked in. While I was there I was the only person in the dining room for the first day, then two other ladies had their meals there the second day. It is fully licensed for alcohol, I had a cider which was a bit pricey but hey hoe, I like a treat. The staff were great and couldn't do enough for me. The two ladies on the evening shift were really nice.

This is the quiet lounge, there are books and magazines available to read. I was lucky, and found several Embroidery Guild magazines, I read them all while I was there.

My room was in the Coach House across the courtyard. I had a shower and wash basin en suite, with the toilet across the corridor, shared only by two other rooms. There was a members kitchen, and a dining table downstairs for those who self cater, and a cosy sofa and television set if you don't want to go across to the main building. I used the kitchen to make my first mug of coffee in the morning.

My first evening meal was three bean chili, and this pizza was served the second night. Dinner is from 5.30pm, which is good, because I was back by 4pm, and I don't like eating too late, too close to bed time. I could only eat half this pizza, and to be honest, I very rarely have pizza at home. I didn't bother to ask for something else from the menu, they had prepared this so I ate what I could and wrapped the other half up for lunch the next day. .

Now is a good time to stay at a Youth Hostel because it can be quite cheap out of season. Even cheaper if you are a member. Check out the web site for vacancies. Some of the hostels will be closed for the winter, but some remain open.

For instance, if you fancy visiting Penzance next week there is a newly refurbished hostel there, which has beds in a dorm for £13 non members, £10 members. Private room for two people £29. Fancy Keswick in the Lake District next week. Even cheaper, £10 non members, £7 members, in a dorm, per night. Some hostels are open all over the Christmas period, so if you are sick of it already why not get away for a couple of nights.

If you want to see more pics of Hartington Hall, here is a link to the post from December 2011.

Dinner time. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip