The Lake District - Storm Agnes and The Dalemain Loop

 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 Dalemain Loop

As we set off it began to rain but we made it to Dacre castle dry as bones.

Dacre Castle

Dacre is a 14th century castle that you can’t visit, only look at. We continued on past headed for Dalemain house. You may know it for its fame in the marmalade community. As we walked through the fields towards it Misty though she was in heaven. Her three favourite things in the world were in abundance. Apples, acorns, and sheep poo. Ian had to drag her for a mile. As we approached the house (no dogs allowed) the rain ramped up and my legs began to get wet. My trousers are only water resistant. My new boots and coat, however, were letting nothing in. Ian had gone for his big waterproof walking boots. Turns out they aren’t waterproof any more, neither is his coat. His new walking trousers that I got him for his birthday were bone dry though, We arrived at the house to find that the lovely cafe does allow dogs. We both opted for a hot chocolate. Amazingly there were only us and one other couple. 

Warm, dry, Dalemain cafe

As we left the cafe, rain still pouring, there was a 100m section of the loop on the main road. Misty was very keen to walk down the middle and Ian had all on keeping her alive. Not to mention the massive puddles cars kept driving through in an attempt to soak us. Eventually we came to the path again. Problem. To get in the next field involved a stile with  no dog entryway. Ian’s face dropped. Luckily I saw a gate a little further down the road. I went on ahead to check and found it would open. Yes! 

We ploughed on in the pouring rain up and over a hill till we dropped back down into the river valley, and came to a stile. Ian tried to lift Misty over but it was a rock one and too slippy. We would have to abandon her there in a field in Cumbria.

No way through

Luckily we spotted a broken rung on the iron fence and Misty managed to crawl under. We crossed the main road again and followed a very muddy boggy path by the river, which was in full spate, back to Pooley Bridge. We had decided on a home cooked tea as we wanted to get back. I thought a quick pie but Ian fancied spag bol. I agreed on the promise that he cooked and washed up, so he bought the makings and we made our weary way back to Dame Shirl. We were all totally soaked and bedraggled by then, except my feet which were perfectly dry. Waterfoot Park has a dog bath, up three steps, so Ian hoiked Misty Up and washed all the mud off. She seemed to be non commital as to whether she liked it or not.

Dog Bath

Despite the rain I had thoroughly enjoyed the seven mile trudge. I especially like a walk with a cafe and toilets  half way.

As we got back the wind picked up majorly. We dried off and battoned down the hatches like the man next door. Ian was true to his word and made a fab spag bol, then washed up afterwards. We didn’t even venture out to the washing up room. We watched a few quizzes then opened the door to let Misty out. It was blowing a gale with sideways rain. Dame Shirley was shaking from side to side. Storm Agnes had arrived.

Strava watch

Neighbour watch

We have some nice neighbours at Waterfoot park. One caravan has a bird feeder on a stick outside where loads of birds congregate. We think it’s a great idea. The man in the camper next door is staying till Friday but dosen’t seem to have left his van once. 

Dinner watch

Ian Walters Burger Bolognaise 

Very nice, despite Ian forgetting to buy mince in Pooley Bridge and having to beg the lady in reception to sell him some burgers after hours! 9/10

P.S. Despite appearances I did do the seven mile Dalemain Loop Walk. There is just no official record of it anywhere!