The first year of change she decided we would explore the New Forest...and without realising it she promptly booked a cottage just a good cast from the banks of the Hampshire Avon
- usual service resumed and I was delighted to revisit some old haunts and re-acquaint myself with the fabulous and giant Avon roach. The next year we went to Yorkshire and I snuck in a day on the Aire, and this year...we went to Ashbourne in the Peak District! Having just come back a day before from a fishing trip to Spain, tackle was left at home but I had to laugh when I discovered on arrival that, on going through the door of Woolley's, she'd booked a place just 100yds from a vintage tackle emporium. I hadn't given a moment's thought to what was at Ashbourne at all, this trip was all about Mrs T., and I'd never even (knowingly) been to the Peak District before. If I am honest, I had always just assumed that Fosters was another Kent rod-maker. Then, as soon as Stephen started talking to me about his history working for Fosters, the penny dropped...
If you ever go to Ashbourne, or nearby, of course you have to go into Woolley's. Don't be put off by the outside at all and the fact that it looks permanently shut. This is Stephen's shop, open for business:
So I discovered of course that Stephen had joined Fosters as a 16 year old and, after a while, was promoted to the workshop where he learnt the art of making a split cane rod. As I understand it, there had been a fishing tackle manufacturer at 27 Church Street since 1763 (what about that for heritage!). Now it is a photography shop:
Anyhow, back to Stephen's place - well worth a visit! I limited my purchases to a glass fibre carp rod blank, a handmade float and some mayflies purchased well in advance of next spring to stock up my box. But I could have just gone round and round his place, picking bits up, and coming out much the poorer. On offer were a number of cane coarse rods such as Aspindales and Allcocks plus some very nice Woolley's and Fosters fly rods.
Ashbourne itself is well worth a stay with some nice places to eat (four plates cleared in record fashion at George and Dragon, which was good home-cooked food) and some decent ale.
Travelling around, I was quite taken aback at the size and beauty of the Peak District. Quite bucolic and some fabulous looking rivers. At Bakewell I was equally taken in with the river Wye, the town itself and the tarts...although it was sad to see that the local fly fishing tackle shop (or room) was in the process of drawing business to a close.
Clan TengisGol even managed some climbing - and the teenagers smiled and enjoyed it, bloody hell!
Chatsworth was a fascinating visit and the sheer opulence was almost sickening but fascinating to boot.
So, that was our visit and I'd wholly recommend a trip to Ashbourne and the Peak District. We'll be going back, I fancy a few nights at the Rutland Hotel and some guiding on the Wye, if I am ever feeling flush. Although Mrs T. did mutter after a few drinks that she was missing Norfolk a little.
