Sunday 1 September (2)

From Galloway I drove to stay with friends at Lytham and then on to the Peak District.

I went to Eyam, well known as the plague village where the inhabitants agreed to stay put rather then escape, possibly spreading the disease to other villages and Sheffield. Food was brought to agreed points outside the village. Payment coins were placed in holes in the rock containing vinegar. Some researchers are now putting forward the theory that rather than bubonic plague, known as the Black Death, it may have been an early form of an Ebola like infection.

Overnight view above Eyam

Boundary stone where food
was left for villagers.

Church window showing
details of Eyam plague events

Stanage Edge, spot the climber

Eyam is the last of the Peak District villages each summer to hold their well dressing festival. This practice probably goes back to pagan times - giving thanks for a clean water supply and also possibly involving fertility rites. It involves the construction of a wooden screen which is covered in wet clay. A design is pricked out and then petals and other materials are placed on the clay to show the picture. The detailed work is amazing.

Townhead Well

Detail on Townhead Well

Detail on Townhead Well

Town End Well
decorated by children

Town End Well

I responded to an appeal for metal detectorists to search for a lost wedding ring not far from Eyam. Six of us spent the best part of a day retracing a two or three mile walk but sadly were unsuccessful. I then drove to Somerset for a detecting event today where my best find was a florin which, as it was older than me, was declared historic, From here I am off to family in Cornwall and then home. My travels are nearly over so this is my last blog for the summer.
Happy Christmas to one and all!