In planning our limited time up north we initially ranked
both these locations as “ok to pass by.”
(Even despite receiving multiple recommendations to visit the Lake
District.) But as luck would have it (or
more specifically, as gaining knowledge would have it) we made better time
heading south than we thought; thus opening up time for these two delightful
stops.
You see, we have discovered there are different types of
“A” roads and, the really great part is, we are beginning to distinguish them
on the A to Z! We have found A roads to
be anything from relaxing two-lane highways to a harrowing single lane shared
in both directions, sometimes with no center line. But with our new map reading capabilities, our
trip south was much faster than our trip north.
Thus we earned one night in Edinburgh at the delightful
Edinburgh Caravan Club Site.
We woke in Edinburgh to the first cloudless day we have
had in the United Kingdom. Our plan was
to drive to the Lake District as soon as possible, but with such nice weather
and a bus stop only a half-mile away we decided a quick tour of downtown
Edinburgh was a requirement. It
was very quick, but definitely worth the trip.
Dogs were not allowed into the castle, but that didn’t stop us from
taking Rosco’s picture out front to the amazement of our fellow tourists. They just couldn’t believe he would sit there
all by himself so calmly. I, on the
other hand, knew I was safe unless he spotted the UPS van coming up the
hillside.
Pictures and bus tour accomplished, we hit the road for
the Lake District National Park and what a treat that was! I realize I have to stop
relating everything as “gorgeous” otherwise who will continue to believe
me? So I’ll move on to stunning. It is unbelievable how quickly the geography
changes as you leave the middle of England and head west: From low, flat farms to the seemingly endless Cumbrian Mountains
snuggled against each other, and it all happens in a matter of a few short miles.
With our late start from Edinburgh, we didn’t reach
Keswick (an almost cute town) until around 5:00 p.m. We had no reservations and it being a warm
and sunny Thursday leading into an equally promising weekend we knew we might
have trouble securing a spot. So we carpe
pitched ’em at the first caravan park with an opening; indeed, gaining their
last pitch. The English are rightfully
crazy about this National Park of theirs and with the sunny weather they were
nearly out of their minds with delight.
Happy, hiking people were everywhere.
We weren’t thrilled with the campground and realizing
that we would need reservations for our Friday night stay, SP spent some time
finding us the delightful Gillside Farm Campground for our second night;
conveniently located just minutes from the jumping off point of our hike to
Angle Tarn. That task accomplished, we gorged
on driving day pizza and went to bed early.
We knew we needed an early start for our mountain hike.
And what a great hike it was! But let me tell you, the English are a much
tougher hiking clan than we Americans!
Not only are their “moderate” ratings much closer to “strenuous” but
they do not use switchbacks. So if the hike gains elevation it does so by
simply going straight up. And that’s
what we did for a good three miles – but check out those views!
On the way up we survived The Great Sheep Herding
Incident of 2012: Forgetting that we
were crossing pasture land in the beginning of the hike, we let The Noses off
leash. Unfortunately, they spotted some
sheep before we did and took off after them.
The sheep were no fools and immediately escaped across a small waterfall-filled
river but with The Noses in hot pursuit.
Rosco’s pursuit was so hot he almost ran himself off a giant boulder and
down a 20’ waterfall. Stopping with a
squeal at the cusp just in time, he apparently decided that was enough and
(finally) heeded my calls to return.
After that we kept them on leash until we were sure we
were out of pasture land. But that didn’t
stop River from jumping up and down every time she caught a whiff of sheep.
The hike was delightful in the hazy sunshine and low 60’s
temperature; I only wish the day had been a bit clearer. In the pictures you can make out the silhouettes
of the mountains layering their way to the coast. On a clear day it must be spectacular.
We loved our little spot on Gillside Farm (purchasing
some fresh eggs and milk while we were there.)
A short walk into Glenridding for coffee the next morning was a perfect
ending to our Lake District adventure. Definitely
a Must See but not a Must Return due simply to the crowds; we thought Friday
was busy, but the endless arrival of hikers on Saturday was stupendous. And this wasn’t even the peak season!
After an incredibly long day in Curry (we did try to stop
on the way but everything was booked—still sunny, still crazy, still a
weekend!) we arrived one day early at our site near Portsmouth, the Rookesbury Caravan Club Site. Thankfully, they had
a grass pitch available—one of only three spots left—and we set up for the
night. The next day we moved to a gravel
pitch where we will remain for the duration of our stay.
Eight glorious nights in one spot!
-K
Eight glorious nights? Does that mean Salt and Pepper have been delayed?
ReplyDeleteThey have been delayed . . . arriving in port on April 1st, but we can't collect them until the 3rd or 4th. Just before one of the biggest caravaning weekends in England! Everything is booked up - which might not matter to us unless we can figure out the new propane and electric. And don't get me started on the black water tank . . . all those joyful posts are coming soon!
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