Motorhome Madness with the Walters

 The sun was shining as we awoke for the final time at Waterfoot Park. For an emergency site it’s been pretty good. We’ve had a great few days by Ullswater, despite the push button showers. Our next emergency stop would be our last, and was only an hour away. Nevertheless we stopped at Tebay services as it was advertised as a farm shop and I like that kind. It was absolutely heaving! I bought some bread but we couldn’t get near the cafe for coffee. It does have excellent Motorhome parking though so we filed that away for later.  The site we were headed for was Thornbrook Barn in Ingleton. I had a hankering for a nostalgic trip to the waterfalls. On booking we were told we were pitch 12, just head for that. There was no one there to great us. Despite the ghostly feel, Thornbrook Barn is a fabulous site. Pitch 12 has views over to two of the three peaks, Ingleborough and Whernside, and also the other way to the lakes. I noticed that it is also on NCR 38. Great for another time w...

 The morning after the stormy night before dawned calm and bright. I had slept well despite the wind and rain, and there was no damage to us or anyone around us. Everyone had thankfully survived. We lazed about then breakfasted on porridge and the fresh pastries I had ordered the night before. Misty’s trailer had proved so successful the first time that we had decided on another bike ride today. Ian set everything up and we departed for Pooley Bridge. Safely negotiating the trafficky bit we emerged on the banks of Ullswater where we rode down to Howtown. We passed a couple of campsites and got a good look at our old friend, Waterside. They all looked really nice. We stored that knowledge away. Howtown is a stop off for the sadly not running Ullswater steamers, it is also at the bottom of a steep hill. To get to the top you have to negotiate the famous Howtown Switchback.  The switchback (not my photo!) That god we have electric bikes! At the top we got a fabulous view, as we d...

 There was a storm coming. Storm Agnes to be precise. It would rip down trees and cause a tidal wave from Ravenglass to Pooley Bridge. Everything was cancelled and we would all probably die anyway. Ian got up to feed the dog and reported a lovely day. I went across to the facilities and had a conversation with a lady. We both decreed we couldn’t decide whether to venture out. Ian had a convo with the man next door who was battening down the hatches for the day. It was still a lovely day. We decided to mull things over over another 10/10 full English.  Amazing full English Dame Shirley Encalmed After much mulling we decided a walk on high anywhere would be stupid, so decided on The Dalemain Loop. An extension of the Ullswater way it takes in a castle and a country house (no dogs allowed), and Pooley Bridge. We could also start and end it at the campsite. We put on all our waterproof wet weather gear and set off past the mansion to a tiny road leading to Dacre.  Map of the ...

 It was a lovely sunny morning as we awoke for the last time in Coniston. We fed Misty and breakfasted on porridge before packing up and setting off for our next destination. After a thorough search of availability in the area we were headed for Waterfoot Holiday village in Pooley Bridge. We had booked in there for three nights and then would move again to who knows where. We are nomads. Sir Georgie took us past Kendal and on to the M6, and who were we to argue with these narrow Lake District roads. I did argue when he tried to veer off onto ‘road’ just before Pooley Bridge and directed Ian myself. Turns out we had entered Waterside caravan park by mistake!  Waterfoot holiday park is a chalet park with a touring field. The lady in the reception was very pleasant though, directing us to pitch 8 where we quickly set up shop and had some lunch. As I sat eating I noticed a creature under a tree. Looking closely I could see that it was a red squirrel! Apparently they are rife here....

 It was lovely and sunny when I got up to feed Misty. We lounged about as is our way on hol, then I rustled up a 10/10 full English. We had decided to give Misty her first ride in the trailer today so I nipped up to ask the nice man where was best. The other side of the lake seemed the best bet so, after I did the washing up and Ian did some work work, Ian prepared the bikes. Using a wild boar treat we managed to lure Misty in. She is fastened in using her lead and took to it like a dream.  Misty’s trailer We set off as yesterday, through the camping field and sheep, cow and bull field, before arriving in Coniston. We called at the Post Office as Chris wanted a big lens posting home, then rounded the bottom of the lake, calling in to let Misty out for a swim. Swim At this point Ian got the phone call we had been dreading. No, it wasn’t Vicky phoning to say Viktor Johannson was out for the season, it was the caravan club! Keswick site still had a flood warning in place. We coul...

 Our next holiday in Dame Shirley Bassey was to be a week in the Lake District. We had booked well in advance for the very popular Keswick campsite, right on the top of Derwent water. I was particularly looking forward to staying in the same place for the full duration. Being able to walk into town to the pubs and restaurants. Being able to walk into town to catch a bus all around the Lake District for sightseeing and walks. Being able to walk into town for shopping and early morning pastries. Alas the British weather had other ideas. The week before our trip there was a hurricane, with heavy rain all around the UK, especially in the Lake District. The Keswick campsite being right on the side of the lake is prone to flooding. On the Wednesday before we were due to travel I saw a Facebook post from someone who had been evacuated overnight from the campsite due to a flood alert. We heard nothing from the Caravan Club however so just assumed our trip be going ahead. I search the Inter...