The day is over, it's time to head to bed, it's been a long 5 days and an age since my last lot of annual leave. The holiday is here finally, my alarm is off as tomorrow it's baking and packing as I head to the Lake District on Friday for MNTV’s annual Christmas weekend, is what my Facebook tells in memories of 7 years ago.
It's Friday and you find me having done my baking and packing on a train heading for Derby as I travel to MNTV’s Christmas weekend at Calke Abbey. When first advertised it was a winter weekend but after a vote it was decided that it would be our Christmas Weekend, very early I know, but the members spoke! With a long train journey ahead of me and not sleeping to well I'm gonna kick back and relax maybe have a nap and I'll come back to You later…
4 hours and 20 mins later I reached Derby where I was met by Jenny who had picked up the shopping on route to meet Me. Once I had found her and put my bags into the car we made our way to Calke Abbey. The basecamp is at the end of the one way system through the park, so we had to tell the kiosk we were going to the Basecamp so we didn't have to show our volunteer cards. Upon arrival at the Basecamp we discovered Mary, her luggage and her 6 bottles of wine had just arrived. The Basecamp is basic with bunkbeds but with the number of people we had staying we all had bottom bunks. Upon arrival we discovered many flys in the ladies dormitory, they were everywhere, on the floor, the beds, the curtains, light fittings so we got the hoover out and started cleaning them up alive and dead ones….after settling in we awaited for the arrival of Jack, Sarah and Denise. Andy and Clare who were staying nearby in a NT Cottage, joined us to put up the tinsel and fairy lights. Sarah arrived at just before 6.30pm and shortly afterwards Sarah, Jenny, Mary and Myself headed by car to the local watering hole, The Milking Parlour. Andy, Clare and Jack had set off before us to walk. Once there we awaited for the arrival of Denise who had got caught in traffic. We hadn't just gone to the Milking Parlour for a drink, on a previous visit to Calke we had visited it and seen they cooked pizzas so we partook in the consumption of pizza, there were unusual flavours, Greek Lamb, Feta and Hot Honey was a winner as was Seasonal Roast Veggies and Herb Creamed “Cheese”, an interesting choice and very much enjoyed was Salt and Pepper Chinese Beef after the delicious food we headed back to base this time we all got a lift as we now had 2 cars with us. Upon return to basecamp we slowly headed to bed.
Saturday dawned wet, we breakfasted and prepared ourselves for the day ahead. Just before 10am Ranger Paul and Apprentice Ranger Holly joined us in the basecamp to introduce themselves and tell us a bit about the task. Jenny unfortunately wasn't able to join us, she was looking after a knee injury that had flared up, perhaps unfortunately isn't the right word with the weather we were going out into.
Our worksite for the weekend was Staunton Harold Reservoir, willow coppicing, with some blackthorn thrashing thrown in for good measure. The bits of willow that we had coppiced were either to be made into 6-7 ft sticks for den building and the other was meant to be chipped but as the ground was so wet and not being able to get the chipper in position, Paul and the Team had to rethink, a dead fence to pretty up an old fence. It was a wet morning and we enjoyed our coffee and lunch break in the cafe which had very kindly said we could sit in there as it was so wet, it felt a bit odd eating cake we had made in a cafe that some very tasty cakes on offer, there were also real toilets which was a bonus. Having spent the morning working away, Denise and Sarah headed back to help Jenny with preparations for our dinner that evening. The rest of us carried on working and by the time we finished our days work at 4pm it had stopped raining, the sun made a brief appearance and we had seen a rainbow but it had turned colder.
Upon arrival back at Base I discovered that Sarah and Denise had made their way to the Christmas fair and lights trail which was located by the house so I decided a shower was needed and then I headed off to the festivities. Having a quick look round the Christmas Fair I found Denise and we went round the lights trail and watched the house lit up in many different colours. We also went under the house through the tunnels that were built for the servants to move goods around unseen, they were decorated for Christmas.
We found Sarah and headed back to Basecamp, where we found Andy and Clare had joined us. Christmas Dinner had been expertly cooked by Jenny, we had Chicken, Pigs in Blankets, Roast Potatoes, Roast Parsnips, Carrots, Peas, Sweetcorn and Gravy, followed by Christmas Pudding and Brandy Sauce. We chatted and then went to bed as we were tired after a long day.
Sunday dawned bright and sunny, we all left Base at 9.45 as we were due to meet Paul and Holly at Staunton Harold Reservoir Car Park at 10am, to carry on the day befores task, but today was extra special as we had Shropshire and Staffordshire NTV Group joining us. They had bought 12 volunteers with them, more volunteers means more work gets done, well that was the plan and it worked. When breaktime was called we produced our cakes and they produced their cakes. There were many different kinds, Victoria Sponge Cake, Orange and Sultana Cake, Banana, Date and Walnut Cake, Chocolate Brownies, Chilli Chocolate Brownies and Rice Crispie Mars Bar Cake. There were lots of whooping with the number of cakes available to try. 
On Monday morning we made sure we hoovered the basecamp, swept the floor, took down the Christmas Decs and packed up the food then headed for home. Jack left first, Jenny and I left shortly afterwards and called in at Kedleston Hall to see it decked out for Christmas. As we were heading in the hall we met Andy and Clare who had had the same idea as us. We very much liked the decorated Christmas Trees. My particular favourite was turquoise and blue ribbons.
It was a long journey home for me, I travelled in style having upgraded myself to First Class and got back to Edinburgh at 8pm.
It was a fantastic weekend with great chat, fabulous banter and great food. I’m very glad I had an extra day at home today as it is now Tuesday night and all the washing is done and I’m back to work tomorrow.
It was great to meet another group like ours, we hope this will be an ongoing arrangement going forwards. We hope to join SSNTV at Shugborough Hall this Summer.
