It’s summer!  Out came the T shirts.  Make the most of it while we can.  So that meant Wednesday was washing, washing, washing!  Washed curtains and door mats and Chris and handyman carried on with roofing work at our peak district cottages.  Went down to Bakewell in the afternoon to get provisions for the next few days.  Had planned a supermarket shop but with good weather made the most of opportunity for outside work.  One cottage arrived later in day.  On Thursday, after two cottages departed, we went to the Heights of Abraham. With summer staying for one more day we thought it about time we visited it and dogs are welcome too.  Having done trains and trams the dogs can now add a cable car to their list of transport methods they have tried.  We drove to Matlock Bath and parked at the station then did the short walk to the entrance.  We naturally assumed that Blue would enjoy the ride and Smudge wouldn’t except it was the other way round.  Smudge looked out the window and Blue laid on the floor for most of the way.  I enjoyed the cable car ride which had far reaching views over the local countryside.  Reminded me of all the holidays we had in Austria.  At the top of the ride we made our way to the terrace cafe to have a drink and decide on our plan for the day.  We had a view down to Matlock Bath and could just make out he Pavillion.  First we visited the Who, Why What exhibition which had information about the estate and building of the cable car and you can try out a static emergency rescue equipment.  (Don’t fancy trying the real thing!)  We had a look at the exhibition of aerial photos of the Peak District and noticed it was nearly time for one of the tours down the Great Masson Cavern.  I let Chris do this whilst I stayed with the dogs.  I did have a look at the film tour of the cavern so for those who feel claustrophobic you can see inside it without having to go in.  The tour lasts about 30 minutes and I walked with the dogs to where the tour exited on the hillside to wait for Chris.  This meant leaving the park for a few minutes but we sat in the sun admiring the view wishing we had brought a packed lunch with us (didn’t to save on bringing a rucksack).  From our spot we could see Crich Stand, Riber Castle and along the Derwent Valley towards Chatsworth.  Back to the park we made our way to the Prospect Tower which we climbed to get some views over the area.  We then walked down the hillside past the summer house, the oldest building on the site and to the lower cafe area where I had an ice cream before I visited the Nestus mine which was an old lead mine.  A late lunch and a final look round the facilities which make for a great family day out with the Children’s Woodland Adventure area and Explorers area so activities for children too.  Took lots of photos. Eventually we took the cable car back down and had a walk along the promenade at Matlock Bath before heading to Matlock.  Here we called in at Sainsbury’s to do some shopping then back home.  Back to Spring tomorrow.  Goodbye summer.  Come back soon!