The Most Beautiful Place

Just back from our attempted camping trip in the Lake District. It's the most beautiful place I've seen. I only wish the photos could do it justice.

I call it an attempted camping trip because, while the Koalaman and I left London in sunny weather, by the time we drove the six-or-so hours up to the Lake District, it was pouring down rain. And evidently had been pouring down rain for several days. We looked at a swamp of a campsite, then, as per the directions on the sign, headed down the road to check in at the farmhouse. They said they had a camping barn we could use - an old barn on the end of a house that had been converted into a bunk house. We were glad not to have to set up the tent in the rain. And the camping barn had electricity and hot water and a heater, so it felt like luxury.

The next morning it had cleared up a bit, so we headed up into the hills for a hike. The streams were all full to the brim, so the waterfalls were fantastic. The hillsides were wet, too, and the trails were effectively turned into stream beds. We were quite thankful for waterproof hiking boots.

As we got nearer the top of Green Gable, though, the nasty weather started to roll in again. We walked into the low clouds and it got windy and started raining again. We got to the top, couldn't see anything, and so started down the other side right away. Partway down, my pantlegs started to getting wet. I had a waterproof jacket on, so I stayed mostly dry on top, but the pants were only water resistant, so they eventually soaked through. Which got my socks wet, which got the insides of my (up-till-then-waterproof) boots wet, so I squished the rest of the way back to the barn. We had some yummy sausages and hot chocolate when we got there and put all of the wet stuff over the heaters to dry - couldn't have done that in a tent!

We had a drive that afternoon and took in some more scenery around the lakes, plus some funny signs, after which we had a barbecue of steak and more sausages - so delicious.

Packed up and left the next morning. I drove part of the way - good practice for my test. We stopped in a town called Ambleside and got some fudge. Eventually made it through the traffic and got home in time for dinner.

My boots are still drying out.