I suppose it’s because I grew up in London in the 1950s, with so much history, that I became very sniffy about being a tourist, and doing the touristy things.
And that was a mistake, because the guide books, the tourist bus and the app offer up an instant picture of a place, which can then be followed up by a leisurely “authentic” stroll through a place’s past.
After years of wandering Rome, with no purpose, we took that guide bus, and all was revealed, which mean visits to Florence and other cities have always been accompanied by a trip in a big open topped red bus.
At which point the sensible thing to do is pepper the story with images of Rome, Florence, and Athens, taken from one of the scenic travels.
But I always do that, so instead I shall celebrate the Heights of Abraham.
“The Heights of Abraham is a tourist attraction in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, England. It consists of a hilltop park on top of Masson Hill, accessed from the village by either the Heights of Abraham cable car or a steep zig-zag path. The heights are named after a supposed resemblance to the Plains of Abraham, also known as the Heights of Abraham, in Quebec, Canada, where James Wolfe died in battle”. *
We were there last week showing the Italian side of the family the attractions of Derbyshire, and on a whim called in Matlock Bath, where over sixty years ago mother met father and the rest is me, along my four sisters.
I had my reservations at travelling by the cable car up to the summit and despite an optimistic confidence in technology I have a slight fear of heights, made no better when at a given point the cars all stop to allow the occupants, a stunning set of views in all directions.
All of that said the Heights are a rewarding pace, mixing a park, cavern and mine tours with views of the dramatic scenery of the valley of the River Derwent.
And there is a guidebook, which told me that as the lead mining industry began to peter away at the end of the 18th century, some miners turned to tourism, offering trips into the caverns.
Away from the Heights, there is a magical stretch of the river, all fast flowing water and overgrowing trees and foliage, leading to what would be a mundane car park, if it were not for a delightful poster of children’s work beside the railway station, reminding me that for a brief few hours were tourists in Derbyshire.
Location; the Heights of Abraham
Pictures; Matlock Bath, the Heights of Abraham, 2019, from the collection of Andrew Simpson
And that was a mistake, because the guide books, the tourist bus and the app offer up an instant picture of a place, which can then be followed up by a leisurely “authentic” stroll through a place’s past.
At which point the sensible thing to do is pepper the story with images of Rome, Florence, and Athens, taken from one of the scenic travels.
But I always do that, so instead I shall celebrate the Heights of Abraham.
“The Heights of Abraham is a tourist attraction in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, England. It consists of a hilltop park on top of Masson Hill, accessed from the village by either the Heights of Abraham cable car or a steep zig-zag path. The heights are named after a supposed resemblance to the Plains of Abraham, also known as the Heights of Abraham, in Quebec, Canada, where James Wolfe died in battle”. *
We were there last week showing the Italian side of the family the attractions of Derbyshire, and on a whim called in Matlock Bath, where over sixty years ago mother met father and the rest is me, along my four sisters.
I had my reservations at travelling by the cable car up to the summit and despite an optimistic confidence in technology I have a slight fear of heights, made no better when at a given point the cars all stop to allow the occupants, a stunning set of views in all directions.
And there is a guidebook, which told me that as the lead mining industry began to peter away at the end of the 18th century, some miners turned to tourism, offering trips into the caverns.
Away from the Heights, there is a magical stretch of the river, all fast flowing water and overgrowing trees and foliage, leading to what would be a mundane car park, if it were not for a delightful poster of children’s work beside the railway station, reminding me that for a brief few hours were tourists in Derbyshire.
Location; the Heights of Abraham
Pictures; Matlock Bath, the Heights of Abraham, 2019, from the collection of Andrew Simpson
Totally agree. Bus top tours give you a feel for the geography of the lace too- especially with iPhone digital maps as you move around!
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