In all the years we have holidayed in the area and in all the years we have lived here we have never been to the Livestock Market on a Monday.  We always suggest guests go and have a look and today it was our turn!  I had planned to go down to the market anyhow but Chris came with me and luckily he brought his camera.  When we found our way into the first ring they were selling cows with calf and then some young bulls.  Here we couldn’t make out the amounts being bid but one of the strange customs is that one of the staff standing beside the auctioneer could often be seen holding a £5 note which is given by the seller to the buyer as a good luck token.  We then moved to one of the other rings where they were selling bulls for beef so as they came in they were being weighed.  642 kg of beef looks very intimidating when it runs into the ring! We also found where the sheep were being sold.  After that we had a wander around the street market and a spot of lunch before getting provisions for the next few days.  A quiet afternoon at our peak district cottages and dinner was al fresco.