New Years resolutions have never really been my thing. I think that if something needs changing in your life then you should just get on and change it there and then rather than waiting for the 1st of January.

Anyway I have had a chat on Twitter this week with @terrybnd from @PeakDistrictTV about how he loves what he does which is essentially sharing his passion for film making and wild places with anyone who is interested.
That got me thinking about the Peak District and how much we love it there and how little time we actually get to enjoy it.
We visit the cottage quite a few times in the year but inevitably spend our time doing maintenance jobs round the house and tidying up in the garden.
So my mid January Peak District resolution is to get out and enjoy the time we have in the Peak District more this year. With the fantastic location of the cottage, we are stupid not to really.

There is so much I would like to do but here are the first few things that I would like to cross off my Peak District resolution list:

• Doing a great circular walk around Edale & Castleton
• Going swimming in Hathersage open air swimming pool followed by lunch at the Outside shop cafe including one of their delicious cakes!
• Visiting one of the local sheepdog trials
• Spending a few hours at Go Ape in Buxton on their tree top adventure
• Watching the sun set from the top of Eccles Pike
• Cycling along the Tissington and High Peak Trails
• Going clay shooting at the Boar shooting ground near Glossop
• Spending an evening at the old fashioned Rex Cinema in Marple
• Visiting the David Mellor design centre – no idea what it will be like but the building has always intrigued me
• Doing a circular walk around Hartington and call in at The Old Cheese Shop and Youth Hostel for tea and cake.
• Spending an afternoon enjoying a bit of motor sport at Buxton Raceway – having spent my teenage years going to Speedway I still have a soft spot for a dirt track and engines!
• Driving over to Haddon Hall to enjoy the gardens and more delicious tea and cake (can you see a theme emerging)
• Enjoy a night of drama, comedy or music at Buxton Opera House – timing our visits to coincide with what we want to see will be the hardest part
• Taking a picnic down to Bugsworth basin in the summer and watching the boats and people coming and going.

Woah – that was a much longer off the cuff list than I anticipated!

Not wanting to get too gloomy, but 2011 was an unusual year for us in that a relatively large number of people in our immediate group of family and close friends were diagnosed with life limiting illnesses or died and that does make you stop and take stock.

We hear so many great stories from guests who have enjoyed doing lots of lovey things out and about in the Peak District and, having spent so many years up to our knees in old plaster and insulation renovating the house and never really having had chance to live in the house, I think now we should be enjoying our time at the cottage.

To start the ball rolling we have booked a long weekend in the cottage at the beginning of March, and we are going to be joined by some very good friends which means we will make the time to get out on the hills and sample a few more local tea shops too!

Many thanks for taking the time to stop by and read my blog.
Do get in touch and let me know what would be on your Peak District resolution list.

Until next time

Kind Regards

Jill