The Lakes - Heat

 We’re having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave. So said all the news outlets. Prepare for death or worse. We didn’t mind one bit. It was lovely as we awoke with loads of people and dogs swimming in the lake. There was lots of canoeing and stand up paddle boarding too. The site was rammed with loads of tents down by the waters edge. We had planned to do a walk today, Ian was keen to walk up a hill, and I was ready to capitulate, but the weather changed our plans. We decided on a lazier than usual morning then a walk in the woods on the Keswick side of the lake. This decided I put a load of washing on, then hung it on one of my favourite Dame Shirley items, my clothes airer. 

Breakfast and a lovely clothes airer

It was around this time that Ian got a text from one of his running buddies that they had been rejected for the London Marathon. He immediately checked his e-mails but nothing. Chris, Vicky and Alex had all also applied so he checked in with them. Chris had been rejected but nothing for the other two. 

We left around 1pm and strolled down as far as Friars Crag. In Crow park we passed an episode of Landscape Artist of the year being filmed. I wondered if anyone might have my blue hat in the foreground of their painting, until Ian told me they were all painting Skiddaw, in the opposite direction. All the while Ian was checking his e-mails. Vicky, then Alex, were also rejected. Leaving Ian as last man standing. He began planning his training schedule. 

In Crow Park

Artists painting Skiddaw

From Friars Crag

It was very busy down that side with loads of families having lots of fun, as they should in a heatwave. We turned round at that point and headed back through town. Looking for somewhere for lunch we passed The Fell Pack, a lovely restaurant hotel where we had eaten last year. As it was our last day in Keswick we decided on a meal there again, both fancying the tarteflette. Sadly, the tarteflette was off! Ian went for a gorgeous beef cheeks and noodles concoction, while I went for some veggie rubbish. It contained all the things I dispise, Tofu, Falafel, and Humous, plus seeds and quinoa. All the pretentious stuff. Amazingly I really enjoyed it. We also had a beer each. 

Pretentious rubbish and some nice falafel

We called at Booths on the way back and spent a fortune on a couple of things, then wended our weary way back to the site. My airer had done a first class job so I brought all the dry, fresh smelling clothes in then collapsed on the bed for an afternoon nap. I awoke much later with a hot red arm. Blooming horsefly. I thought I had gotten away with it. 

Ian had been sat outside chilling and reading and checking his emails the whole time so I went and sat with him for a bit. It was there I noticed another turn for the worse. Children had arrived. Children were playing on the playground. Noisy children. There was also a group of adults sat outside a huge motorhome opposite drinking and generally having a good time. I went for a shower.

When I got back it had turned a little chilly out so we retired to watch our favourite programme. The diplomat. More walking and talking and a Prime Minister very much like Boris. All good fun. Time for bed after that, it had been a long heatwavy day.

By the way, Ian’s email came through quite late on. 

Musings

The noisy people were not all that noisy

The children were not all that noisy either

Vegetarian rubbish can be quite tasty

Beer makes you sleepy

I hate horse flies