LAKE DISTRICT WEEKEND 30th JUNE 2017. CASTLE HOWARD THAT WASN'T
So this was the Castle Howard weekend that wasn't, and what a great weekend it was. Organised by John & Jean Hussay. For those who had Friday afternoon free it started at 12.30 lunchtime on 30th June with a meet at the Local Pantry Shop & Cafe on the Harrogate Road, near Pool. We left at around 1.30 for the run to the Crooklands Hotel in Crooklands.
John & Jean had devised a dog leg route to Crooklands via Blubberhouses, Hawes & Ingleton, with a mid afternoon stop at the Creamery in Hawes. As usual the convoy managed to get split up, but magically came back together again just before Hawes.
Tea time saw us arriving at the hotel, checking in and seeking a well needed beer. The other members of the group who had travelled directly to Crooklands started arriving, and by 5.30 ish all 21 of us were there. The Friday evening meal was bar snacks in a very busy and buzzing bar, with very generous portions, and much conviviality. The 21 were –
John & Jean Hussay, Keith & Julie George, Stan Lowe & Jean, Mike & Kate Sloan, Ian & Linda Meeson, Barrie & Pat Simkin, Keith & Jane West, Dave & Anne Whincup, Ken & Janet Bailey, Roger & Fiona Wiper, and Phil Warcup from East Riding group.
Saturday morning was a 9.30 ish meet after breakfast, ready for a 10am start, John had devised a fiendish route heading West along the Southern Lakes, then turned North on VERY minor roads heading over Wrynose Pass, on through Ambleside and on into the finish at the Garden Village in Grasmere.
Barrie's Metropolitan gets some attention, so Barrie, is this an engine?
We had a coffee stop roughly mid way at the High Cross Inn at Broughton, which had once been a pub, but sadly closed down, but now reopened as a Café, we were it's first customers, and they welcomed us with open arms, explaining what they had done, and what their future plans were, it was a great stop in a great location, and we wish them every success.
Ok, where the heck are we?
We arrived in Grasmere about 2pm, with the afternoon being DIY. The only criteria being to be back at the Hotel ready for the booked evening meal at 7.30.
Linda and myself called at Holehird Gardens on the way back, just at the bottom of Windermere, it's the home of the Lakeland Horticultural Society. A real stunning 10 acre garden, free to enter, just put a donation in the box.
Holehird Gardens
Back at the Hotel we had our own room for the booked evening meal, and a great meal it was too, followed by the evenings entertainment of a raffle and quiz, hosted by Ken Bailey, a great end to a cracking day.
Phil Warcup & Stan Lowe
Sunday morning saw us meeting in the hotel car park reading ourselves for a 10.30 departure. Heading up towards Kendal, then cutting across to the Windermere Ferry to cross the Lake, then running down to the Lakeland Motor Museum near Newby Bridge, John had arranged reduced group entry, and along with the Café/ Restaurant it ended what had been a superb weekend, the weather held for us as well, so it was all good, tops down a plenty weekend.
Sunday morning breakfast
On the Windermere Ferry
Already provisionally booked for next year.