Muddy Brown's Blog: Lakes / Whinlatter Hols Part 1

19 February 2015

Lakes / Whinlatter Hols Part 1

School hols this week and we are all off so booked up for a few days over in the Lakes (as normal!) we stay at Penrith and tour around from there. The forecast was two days rain and two days dry so better than Nov 14 hols where it rained every minute of every day. The drive over was nice and quite on Sunday morning with the sun even coming out when we crossed over the A66 moors. We decided to drop down to Ambleside for a walk around and came across a new bike shop sign posted next to the Post Office which was hidden away up a little back lane. Push Bikes was its name and based in an lovely old stone building, once inside it was the poshest bike shop I have ever been in in my life. There was a selection of very high end bikes and one had a price tag of £14.5k ! it was nice to look and touch such bike porn that I have only ever seen in magazines. The parts etc did not have any prices on so must have been price on application basis. From here we had a drive down to Hawkshead to stock up on some relish, if you buy the Lakes Guide book there is a 10% voucher inside. Then it was a short drive the Windermere Ferry, this is great fun and only costs £4.40 for the 10min trip across the lake. It was a short drive to Staveley for late afternoon top of cycle retail therapy at Wheelbase. Straight up the A6/M6 back to get booked in at Penrith / tea then feet up for the evening.
Monday was going to be the day of all day rain so decided to stop local and visit the town centre, swimming pool and Reghed. It turned out to be another lovely day of warm temperatures and sun shine. There was loads of activities/displays/exhibitions on at Reghed for the hol week. Arran made a sword from some branches and rope, me & Angus watched a short film of the Life of Scafell mountain and seen some local Herdwick sheep/lambs and owls!
Tuesday was our day for a trip over to Whinlatter forest for some mtb'ing (see Part 2 soon) then down to Keswick for a walk around. There was a real cold/icy wind blowing up at Whinlatter but was dry and very busy. By the time we got to Keswick it was time for lunch followed by a walk around the town etc and spend a few pennies! again there was sunny spells but cold in the shade. The market place was nice quiet compared to the normal packed and busy.
Wednesday was going to be the second day of rain and our leaving day so we packed up and had breakfast then over to the swimming pool for some inflatable fun followed by a walk around the town before heading home. Again the forecast was wrong and it was dry with sunny spells and warmish. We decided to come home via Hartside / Alston way and when we were climbing up Hartside is was getting darker and darker then we were into the clouds and a gale force wind. It was a very quick stop at the café then dropping down to Alston in the sun. It was a lovely drive home through Weardale.