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The Lake District

A long overdue return to the Lake District.    -          

It’s been many years since we set foot/caravan in the Lake District. The last time from recollection was in 1991 when Jan, Geoff and I, with the able assistance of our driver Pam, successfully completed the Coast to Coast walk.

For this visit some 28 years later, we stayed on a Caravan Club Certificated Location (CL) called “Stybeck Farm”, located close to Lake Thirlmere. An ideal location from which to access Windermere and Keswick and within easy driving distance to a number of other attractions.

This visit Pam & I are in the company of Ben and he and I are keen, being so close to Helvellyn to have a try to climb this 3117-foot (950m) hill as well as other walks that we could achieve, subject of course to decent weather conditions.

The site was well situated but sadly small and not very level with a steep approach to the 5-van location, on which three vans were already pitched when we arrived. Initially we were unable to erect the awning as the ground was hard and stony. We did, the next day after arriving, eventually move to a previously occupied spot where the awning could be erected. Thank goodness that we could, for it meant that arriving back, to site, inevitably in the rain, we could at least disrobe our wet clothes before going into the van.

Parked on the CL. The first picture is of us on arrival and unable to erect the awning. Next after a move further up the field, a whole 40ft, we 've been able to erect the airship. The third view was taken on one of our walks and shows the site and farm house from the hill at the rear of the site.

Yes, it rained virtually every day at this site, although having said that we did manage some days in the dry by driving further afield. The valley location in which the site sat seemed to attract the rain.

Our first venture out was to visit Windermere and Ambleside which at this time of the year was heaving with visitors, as was the case when ever we came to either location, which we did to assist, Dorothy and Grenville, our friends and neighbours. More on this later. In the company of Dorothy,and her grand daughter Charlotte, we ventured aboard one of the boats on the lake for a trip to Bowness, yet another location heaving with tourist. All three, Windermere, Ambleside and Bowness, picturesque locations – more pleasant to admire when less heavily populated with tourists.

On board the ferry to take us to Bowness in the company of Dorothy and Charlotte. Pictures across the Lake which also show the type of weather we had to endure for much of the time in this area..

The querky Bridge House over Stock Beck, a survivor from the 17th Century and now, preserved in the hands of the National Trust. Despite its size, and it is small, it was reputedly the home once to a family of eight. My second picture is taken looking back into the town following the course of Stock Beck towards the Bridge House.

One day, having picked Dorothy up from her hotel in Ambleside, we drove the short distance to the Windermere Steamboat museum where we spent time viewing the variety of exhibits on display.. The museum, as well as containing examples of the old steamboats, also had numerous examples of other boating activities that have taken place on the lake over the years. Examples of power boats and even seaplanes adorn the displays, walls and even ceilings of the custom-built museum ideally located as it is on the Lake side with its own slipway and marina, parts of the latter being cleverly contained within the museum building, thus preserving the valuable floating assets from the weather.

Examples of power boats that used to compete on the lake, allthough racing still does exists and in 2019 completed it's 93rd season of competition.. Followed by images showing the indoor marina, with the access to the lake visible in the background. The pictures also show the quality of the workmanship that as gone into creating the museum.

One day we completely escaped the rain was on our trip across to Ravenglass and to travel on the Ravenglass and Eskdale narrow gauge railway. This was a location I have wanted to visit for a number of years and finally the three of us got the chance to do so and on a particularly pleasant day. Your arrival at Ravenglass is in itself a treat as a lot of time and effort as gone into the creation of the area, the building of the station, ticket office, ubiquitous café and museum.  A very interesting collection of trains, all lovingly maintained and operated, are in use as they take you through this picturesque part of the outer lakes. Arrival at Eskdale to a fabulously constructed station building, very much in keeping with the local area architecturally, this one housing shop, café, ticket office and large comfortable waiting area. On our return to Ravenglass we wandered around the museum which was packed with information on the history of the railway and its origins, right up to the present-day tourist operation.

Pictures of the immaculately maintained narrow gauge 15" track locomotives and diesels which traverse the 14mile round trip journey through the spectacular Lakeland scenery.

Chancing the weather Ben and I set off on a couple of walks from the CL site. The first using the car to get to our starting point was to climb to the top of Helvellyn, which we nearly achieved. We had made good progress and reached a good third of the way when the ominous black clouds finally gave forth with a vengeance. The pair of us, with obviously no where to shelter, getting absolutely saturated. We trundled on a bit more up the ascent, but finally gave up when the likelihood of even more rain looked likely. We both felt that despite the fact that neither of us had been on a good walk for many months, never mind being on a continual ascent for the past couple of hours, that we had done well, and sadly decided to abort the climb and set off back to the car.

Just shortly into the climb, looking back to Lake Thirlmere our starting point. Getting higher and time to take in the view and to appreciate the silence and peacefulness of our suroundings. My moment of contemplation, one of many as we made the ascent. Thinking back to 1991 and the Coast to Coast walk with Jan & Geoff, passing through this very area, sadly Jan no longer with us. Lastly a panorama of the majestic hills. To our left, south towards Lake Windermere, the early signs of the downpour we were to experience, which sadly curtailed our climb.

Our other walk took us out of the site and on an immediate climb to literally the rear of the caravans and then along the edge of the hill, walking parallel to, and with views down into the valley of the road to Windermere. With the path meandering along the hillside, rising then descending we were given constant glimpses of our target Lake Thirlmere. As we crossed the road to Windermere, we took the path that would take us back to the CL, this time following the edge of the Lake for a large part of the walk. A pleasant afternoon walk arriving back at the caravan, dry and eager for a drink, before the three of us drove once more into Keswick for a stroll around the town and the venue once again for our evening meal.

The view down the valley looking towards Lake Thirlmere and Windermore further beyond. One of the many falls that we crossed as we made our way along the side of the hill. The large volumes of water careering over all the falls that we encountered, both today and in the climb up Helvellyn, indicative of the rainfall we had experienced over the period of our stay.

The three of us, Pam using her scooter, had wandered into Keswick on a number of occasions, to eat, to visit the Pencil Museum and on one occasion for a stroll and to take in the views of Lake Derwent. Not overly busy which was good for Pam, as she is not to keen being on the scooter when there are large crowds. Both Pam & I had been here before but neither could remember the location or its layout. Pam did recall visiting the Pencil museum before and on her own, which could have been back in 1991, when we did the Coast to Coast walk, as she spent days on her own, having dropped off the three walkers and then killing time until we reached our designated pick up point.

We had planned the holiday in the Lakes in two stages, the first here on the outskirts of Keswick with our second stopover, en route to home, at the Caravan Club site on the outskirts of Grange over Sands. An easy journey taking us south of the Lakes to Meathop the Club site. Excellent venue as always with the club, although you do pay the price, especially in season, but one which worked out well for its location and close proximity to Grange. In fact, within walking distance which Ben & I made full use of.  An area that we had never visited before and one having spent a number of days in Grange found most agreeable as a location and for the friendliness of the locals. Pam eager to promenade back and forth along the seafront, using her scooter of course, taking in the views over the bay and of Grange itself, especially their magnificently stocked and maintained gardens that separated the seafront from the railway which also ran adjacent to the walkway. The promenade and railway skirting both sea front and town.

The Caravan Club site (still can't grasp the change) at Meathop. Excellent standards of maintenance and facilities. A picture of the promenade at Grange which, sadly, doesn't do justice to the well stocked and volunteer maintained gardens to your left. The sea, despite the greenery, is to your right as you look at the picture. The next picture shows how close you are to the railway from the promenade. Not strictly true as I had clambered up a steep slope to take this picture of one of Northern Rails, recently introduced, new Class 195 diesels.

Moving to Grange worked out as an ideal second base. From here we returned easily to the lower reaches of Lake Windermere, visiting the Lakeside Motor Museum and the Haverthwaite Railway. We made our trip to the latter two locations on the one day the museum in the morning and then the trains, where we had lunch, before journeying on the train to the foot of Lake Windermere.

The Lakeside Motor museum had an amazing collection of vehicles and thankfully we had arrived early enough in the morning to give the contents of the museum their deserved viewings and the taking of numerous photos. All three of us clicking away on cameras and phones recording for prosperity, whose we have no idea, the amazing diverse collection of pedal bikes, motor bikes, TT memories, cars, planes and assorted automobilia that had been amassed by one man. 

If the main museum wasn’t enough there was also the second building housing tributes to the Campbells – Malcolm and Donald of Land and water speed record fame. This, even though much smaller than the main museum was well worth the visit again filled with memorabilia alongside replicas of the craft used for the record attempts amid screens showing past news reels of the pair’s achievements and sadly demise. An excellent morning, well worth the visit and not just for car fanatics and Top Gear followers. Pam thoroughly enjoying herself pressing away on her phone taking pictures.

Pictorial examples of the content of this wonderful museum. Not just an amazing collection of classic and vintage vehices but recreation of shops,a 60's cafe, a garage, details on the local Dolly Blue factory, a collection of pedal cars and even a World War 1 exhibit. Something for all ages from 9 to 99 to enjoy.

Two of the Campbell replica vehicles that are on display in a separate building.

We did well with the weather having moved south of the main lakes and spent several more days out and about one to visit the National Trust property at Sizergh which didn’t come up to expectations. The map of the location bore little accuracy to reality as we searched the pathways shown for a nice picnic spot, which didn’t materialise. Not the greatest of locations house or gardens. Strangely the Trust emailed us on our return home to ask to complete a questionnaire and give comments, which I duly obliged. I never got a follow up reply!

Another more interesting day out was by train to Morecambe another place that Pam and I have talked about visiting and for some reason, possibly its way-out west location on the map, never got around to. We parked the car at Grange station and caught the train to Lancaster where we alighted to wait for our boneshaker of a ride aboard one of Network Norths clapped out Pacers to Morecambe. Another excellent day and the chance to stand aside Mr Eric Bartholomew, well his statue, and to have our photo taken. For the uninitiated Mr Bartholomew is the late great, unequalled, comedic genius Eric Morecambe, who took his stage name from his birthplace.

His statue strategically placed midpoint on the wide promenade, surrounded by beautifully maintained raised beds is a magnet for most visitors to the seaside town. As well as being watched by millions in his life he must have been photographed by millions in this everlasting tribute. Whilst taking pictures of Pam & Ben, I must have been mis-taken as some local freelance photographer as several people asked if I would be kind enough to take their individual or family shots. I hope to goodness that they all turned out ok.  Whilst Pam took in the sun’s rays as she sat beneath Mr Morecombe statute Ben and I set off for our inevitable stroll along the promenade taking in what this seaside resort had to offer. Surprising for a seaside resort there appeared a lack of amusements, which I suppose being close to Blackpool isn’t a surprise as it would be difficult to compete. I would put it as a small step below Skegness, clean and tidy, well laid out with wide open spaces on the front, wide open beach, more a place for the elderly than the young. But on one visit I could be completely wrong. For us we’ve been, and we haven’t put it on our to return to list.

A picture I didn't take! The panorama of Morecambe Bay. In the distance and to the right is Grange over Sands

A thoroughly enjoyable holiday once more in the company of our grandson if somewhat marred by the accident to Grenville, where he fell and broke his hip which put him hospital at Lancaster, where he spent several weeks recovering from his operation. Yes, it gave the three of us an unexpected, totally unplanned opportunity to visit Lancaster, as we happily transported Dorothy to and from the hospital and left her to spend valuable time visiting her invalid hubby.

We would rather that it hadn’t happened at all, as later events, led to us losing a good friend and neighbour and Dorothy her soul mate of 60 plus years.

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