I had another 45 minutes between trains at Oxenholme; you’d be amazed how much of GBG ticking involves being stranded at stations for irritating amounts of time that challenge your bladder and patience. The Centre for Studies reports that in 2019 (latest figures) rail passengers spent over 3.1 billion hours on Oxenholme Station platform wondering… Continue reading OXENHOLME (FOR THE LAKE DISTRICT)
Tag: Cumbria
KENDAL. WHEN IT ALL FELL INTO PLACE
Getting that first pick tick in Kendal lifted a weight off my shoulders, like hitting a six after four dot balls at the start of The Hundred (powerful metaphor I feel). It was now 4pm and I knew that Fell Bar and Factory Tap would be open soon, they promised, so I’d at least get… Continue reading KENDAL. WHEN IT ALL FELL INTO PLACE
Six pubs in the Beer Guide and NONE of them are open !
I caught the 13:55, just, and after changing at the mysterious “Oxenholme for the Lake District” found myself in the enigmatic Kendal for the first time since 2017. I actually completed the chunky Kendal set back then, but a year or two later I find SIX (6) new entries. What’s happened ? Well, brewery taps… Continue reading Six pubs in the Beer Guide and NONE of them are open !
BUYING A HOE IN LONGTOWN
On the way back from Wishaw we had to divert off the M6 at Gretna to avoid a hold-up, probably a spill of peanut butter stout, and stopped for 20 minutes just over the border in Longtown. It’s only a couple of months since we were walking this part of the world. Some weird stuff… Continue reading BUYING A HOE IN LONGTOWN
CUMBRIANS HIT THE PUBS AGAIN
Well, that’s a slight lie, but stick with it. Our first night on the Hadrian’s Wall trail, but we weren’t walking far. Booked into Abberley House (room NBedSS 3.5, breakfast NBrkSS 2.5), we hit the town (or is it toon ?) and I showed Mrs RM why MumsNetters from Brampton to Silloth rave about Carlisle.… Continue reading CUMBRIANS HIT THE PUBS AGAIN
NO PRE-EMPTIVE TICK ON PIEL ISLAND
Day 3 of the Lakes mini-break with the lad. We’d had the spectacular weather for our walk, so only fair it was relentless drizzle on the Wednesday. Time for a last unwise breakfast. Trip Advisor’s trendy tip, The Last Resort Coffee Shop, had literally just closed its door, so we went for the trad option… Continue reading NO PRE-EMPTIVE TICK ON PIEL ISLAND
SUNSET OVER BARROW MORRISONS
Back in Barrow, I somehow cajoled a tired 21 year old to join me on a tour of a workaday Northern town before tea. I knew North Irish Sea Dave would want to see my pics, even if you don’t. We did a circuit of town, stopping so I can bring you the best looking… Continue reading SUNSET OVER BARROW MORRISONS
HAND SANITISER LEAKAGE AT BROUGHTON-IN-FURNESS
Despite the odd grump about table service I’d enjoyed a first real foray into the Southern Lakes, but James was gone by mid-afternoon and we could only fit in one stop on the way back to Barrow. Luckily, the Manor Arms was a bit of a cracker. I nearly visited on that “Let It Go”… Continue reading HAND SANITISER LEAKAGE AT BROUGHTON-IN-FURNESS
“DON’T TOUCH THE BAR !”
You left us in Boot, at the foot of the Hardknott Pass in Eskdale. The toy trains come here, the Ladies who lunch come here, the 4x4s run you over here. It’s one of the top Lakes honeypot villages. We went to explore Boot. It took 15 seconds, one for each resident. FIFTEEN permanent souls… Continue reading “DON’T TOUCH THE BAR !”
SCAFELL (NEARLY)
All great days start with a Wetherspoons Full English breakfast (why no Cumbrian variant). Well, actually, no they don’t. Porridge would be a better bet when you’re about to take on England’s highest hill (whatever). James had been wanting to climb Scafell Pike since he managed it in Year 7 at Cottenham (age 12); I… Continue reading SCAFELL (NEARLY)
