Monday 12th September, 2022 Leeds - Matlock

 We left our mooring this morning and continued towards the dock in Leeds, with only 1 lock to do this morning it was an easy run into Leeds.  At the lock, John, The Skipper passed us on his bicycle on his way to work, so he was ready and waiting for us when we arrived at about 9.30am.  He is a really nice guy, and has been great support when we needed to ask questions during the first couple of days. He helped us unload our gear and call a taxi, and our adventure on River Dancer came to an end.

We collected a Hire Car in Leeds, and thankfully, getting out of Leeds seemed much easier than getting in !!! Down the road to the Piece Hall in Halifax.

The Piece Hall opened on 1st January, 1779 and is Grade 1 listed.  It was built as a Cloth Hall for Hand Loom Weavers and consists of 315 Room around a central courtyard

Pretty impressive set of doors the the Piece Hall

These rooms are now shops, cafes and galleries.  First stop was brunch at one of the cafes and the a visit to the information centre, which had a display and the history of the Hall. John was able to buy the book that he wanted on Anne Lister, from Shibden Hall here.  There seemed to be a lovely Christmas Shop, but unfortunately is was closed. 

We then started making our way to Matlock, about 1 hours drive, where will stay for the next 4 nights.

We were supposed to have been given a lock code to access the accomodation, which I had been checking for, anytime we had wifi for the past 24 hours, but nothing arrived.  When we finally located the cottage, after asking for directions (we knew we were on the right road) as the was no sign to the property, and it is one of about 5 cottages.We sat in the car and called the host several times, to no avail.  There was (and still is )a car parked in the middle of what should be car access to the cottage.  The driveway and access is very rough and almost inaccessible !!! 

After sitting in the car for almost an hour the host finally rang, and said he thought he had sent the information earlier, but was not in any apologetic. He said the car blocking the driveway couldn't be moved, as it is part of a legal dispute !!!

Finally, he gave us the code to access the cottage.  

It is quite a nice cottage, 

although the are no instructions at all, no wifi code.  We again had to call and text several times to get the information we required, and after this we still can't get the heating to work!!!its not cold, but the cottage is a little chilly - so we are using the oven get some heat.   I think this is the worst experience we have had with accommodation.

I don’t  think my review will be very good!!!