And so , our last comment was to eat less and cycle and hike more. We haven’t quite achieved that but we are seriously trying ! Although as I type this post sat parked by the sea overlooking the Isle of Man (not quite overlooking, as its about 20 mile away), Amanda is cooking a Chicken Tikka Marsala for tonight’s dinner.

We left Lancashire and headed North again into the North Western area of the Lakes District. Our first job was to find a suitable wild camping spot and we cracked a lovely place adjacent to the Castlerigg Stones. A circle, much smaller than Stonehenge or some of the circles we visited a couple of years ago in far North Scotland. We arrived around 5.00pm when most of the day trippers were heading onwards. All except one young Chinese couple who arrived and the young lady spent 15 minutes lying along each stone in various poses being photographed by her fella, completely oblivious to the serenity and lovely vistas around them. (So Amanda quickly assumed the position and I took a quickie). Head out of the gutter please folks…..! We watched a lovely setting sun and walked the short 40 metres to our home on wheels.

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The following morning, after a dead quiet nights sleep, we got the bikes out and made plans for a tentative first ride on this trip down to Keswick and around the Derwent Water. I knew it was about a 25 mile day and I’d assumed it was pretty flat….WRONG. It was fairly testing but made for a cracking scenic trip. It was a steep 5k slog uphill at the end and back to Pinot. We ruined all our good work by having a cheese and onion pie and a Magnum ice cream each in Keswick on the way back.

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WE got back and chilled for an hour or two before moving on about 7.00pm that night. We stumbled onto another nice spot hidden away at a picnic area just off a quiet country road. Whinlatter Forest above Bassenthswaite Lake. Just us and a German motorhome and we had a very quiet night (some supper and a bottle of wine). The next morning was drizzling fairly steadily and there were several walks directly from the picnic area, so we decided to head off on one.. We had treated ourselves to new waterproof (we hoped) hiking boots. One hour into the hike and it was smashing down. Pleased to report, the boots held up well (everything between the navel and ankles was bloody well saturated). Waterproof trousers me thinks next !

.A lovely view from our front door below

It was a great couple of days getting back to the Countryside and although it is “mid Summer” and I use that term very loosely, with temps in the mid teens and regular downpours so far, it is very quiet up here away from Windermere and Ambleside etc.

Our plan was to travel a little further West and we found a Hotel called The Pheasant Inn in Bassenthwaite. We popped into the bar for a swift pint and asked the Manager if we could park in their quiet car park for a couple of evenings as we would be dining there the following day. She was very accommodating so we moved to the back of the Inn and settled down. Although we did sneak back to the bar for another of their lovely ales (purely to thank them for their hospitality you understand). Amanda has discovered a liking for Rhubarb and Ginger Gin.

Another lovely quiet spot with a very old fashioned bar, frequented that evening by some lovely locals….and us Gypsies ! We had some signs made back home and put them on the back of Pinot. See below

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. Our friends from home, Kerry, Alistair and Karen joined us for a very convivial lunch at the Hotel, with drinks back in Pinot later. Great afternoon with them and lots of laughs.

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We had a nice walk over to the Lakeland Distillery for coffee (too early for Gin tasting)

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From here we crossed Country (literally) to Newcastle Upon Tyne for a rendezvous with my parents. Both quite frail now but it was lovely to spend a couple of days with them. We ventured into Town for dinner on the first evening and stumbled into a festival being held slap bang in the middle of town. There was a lot of security and although we went in for a pint at 7.00pm, the party was in full swing. An all girl band was playing 70’s music and the crowd loved it.

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It was smashing down with the temperature at a balmy 12 degrees…….and this was all going on outside mind you. Anyway a young LADY in a very revealing body hugging dress was dancing in front of us. She then started to tweak her nipple into attention before revealing it all to those watching. Too much for this old fella, so we decided to move on to the Dabbawal High Bridge (Modern Indian Restaurant) and had a really great meal. Entree below followed by a great main course.

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We enjoyed our time in Newcastle and after Mum and Dad joining us in Pinot for coffee it was time to say a sad farewell and make tracks.

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So until next time, take care x

A and A