Saturday 14th August: The journey up to Arnside isn't too bad at all with a jaunt up the M6 taking about two and a half hours. We settle into our apartment and admire it's fine views over the Kent estuary, then we acquaint ourselves with the village in general. A couple of pubs have caught my eye - the Albion and Ye Olde Fighting Cocks both serve Thwaites' cask ales so I enjoy an immediate taste of Wainwright's beer and Lancaster Bomber.
Sunday 15th August: a ride around the Lakes takes us to Keswick, where we sample Sunday lunch (and a pint of Robinson's Unicorn Bitter) in the Lake Road Inn. Derwent Water looks pretty on a sunny afternoon as Keswich Launch attracts a crowd of visitors, whilst my personal highlight involves watching some local Twenty20 cricket at Fitz Park, home of Keswick Cricket Club.
- Derwent Water -Monday 16th August: A morning in Kendal, exploring the charming Cumbrian market town. My stroll around includes photos of the bus station, Stagecoach depot and the railway station (served by local trains to Windermere). Old bridges over the River Kent add a sense of history, and the New Inn provides a memorable mixed grill lunch that was excellent value at £6.95. The afternoon constitutes a further Lakes tour, this time driving up to Ullswater for a look at Aira Force waterfall and Glenridding Pier.
Tuesday 17th August: We leave the car behind and catch the train to Lancaster for the day - it's only a short ride from Arnside, which comes as a relief when the single Northern carriage is rammed full. At Lancaster we try out a few pubs that Dad had been recommended, hence calling in at the Borough, the White Cross and the Sun Hotel. After lunch I investigate a small stretch of the Lancaster Canal then wander over to the historic castle, which still operates as a state prison. The return train is just as wedged so I hop off at Carnforth for a 'Brief Encounter' experience - the iconic station is great for a few photos, especially focusing on the famous platform clock.
Wednesday 18th August: going solo for another day on the trains, this time exploring the Furness Line and the Cumbrian Coast. First stop is Grange-over-Sands with its genteel surroundings and elegant station. Barrow is rather more industrial although I'm pleased to see the town trying to make the most of its heritage - there are some great proud buildings here, such as the town hall and the library, but sadly the plain station isn't one of them. The Cumbrian Coast Line is particularly scenic and makes for an engrossing ride, even with an unscheduled wait at Kirkby-in-Furness when a fellow passenger required medical assistance. To satisfy my curiosity, I hop off at Sellafield in the shadow of the nuclear plant - it was never going to be the prettiest of locations but it was interesting all the same. My final call is at Ravenglass, a small seaside village where I can mooch around the heritage line station and partake of a well-earned pint in the Ratty Arms. A classic day!
Thursday 19th August: all too soon the holiday is drawing to a close as Kendal beckons once more. This time we explore the castle and savour the panoramic views looking down over the town. Back into the New Inn for another mixed grill, which if anything was even better than the one we'd had on Monday. We then call by at Staveley, where the Old Mill works is home to the Hawkshead Brewery and we can't resist popping into the Beer Hall to try out some Lakeland Gold. This is followed by a brief tour of Windermere and a final evening in Arnside - some heavy rain has set in, but we take shelter in the Albion where 'Walkers on Tour' claim the pub quiz crown thanks to some bizarre knowledge of Mark 'Tubs' Taylor, the BeeGees and Michael Howard!!
- An Arnside Sunset -Friday 20th August: Homeward bound as the rain continues - it dries up further down the M6 but then we hit V Festival traffic. By 11am we were back in the good old West Midlands and another holiday was over, but - as with Dawlish, Great Yarmouth, Clacton and Skegness previously - I shall have many happy memories to cherish and look back on with fondness in times to come. Maybe at some point I might even get some of the photos onto WME, but given my usual rate of progression, I might get through a few more holidays first!!
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