As part of Julia’s birthday celebrations I planned a long weekend away in the Lake District. The plan did not go well, and was shortened by both her cold and a visit from Number One son. So, on Sunday we headed off for our Plan B break – a day in the Lakes.
After dropping Number One son off in Leeds we headed off for Skipton and the Travelodge. We passed the night there in relative luxury, with a quiet heating system, water that was, if anything, too hot, and nice fluffy towels. We were even able to complain about it being too hot.
It started to rain shortly after we arrived, continued through the night and was still going when we woke up.
At least we were able have a decent breakfast, provided by the Little Chef in the car park. Soon, I suppose, it will be something else. At least one I know has already been turned into a Starbucks and another is going to be converted. You can tell something is going to happen to them because very little has been spent on maintenance recently and a lot of them seem to be closing early. They really have had a troubled history after the glory days when they virtually owned the roadside. According to the above link, they will all be closed next year.
The days of wine and roses are not long, as the poem says.
There aren’t many pictures, I’m afraid, as the combination of rain and low light meant you’d need to be a magician to get a result, rather than a mere photographer. Grey mist, leaden skies, slate grey water and, at best, light black hills, don’t make for easy photography. And that was when we weren’t troubled by low cloud.
When there was light and a view we couldn’t park. Julia did take some video clips as we drove along, but I can’t get any of them to load.
Later on we did get a few photos, and some meat pies, but that will be another post. Hopefully I’ll get caught up tomorrow.
Just catching up, Quercus, and will pick up again in the morning. A happy belated birthday to Julia! I am sorry she had the cold. Seems like many have had some horrible respiratory bug this fall on both sides of the Atlantic. I had it too.
We can go to the moon and we can carry computers in our pockets, but we still can’t cure a cold. 🙂
I will pass your best wishes on.
A good lichen shot to start your holiday off.
Yes, it was nice to see.
Your atmospheric description is a picture in itself
Can I add that I’m now sitting next to the gas fire typing and sneezing? 🙂
Dammit
Time for Julia’s revenge. 🙂
Beautiful, even in the rain.
It was nice, but a little less rain would have been good. However, this is England in Autumn, and nowhere does rain like the Lake District. 🙂
I’ve got some photos of that wonderful green Lake District lichen! Belated Happy Birthday to Julia!
I will tell her. The birthday seems to be lasting a long time this year.
😀
At a reasonable cost.
Yes, that is very true. While we were up there we saw B&B advertised at £127 a night. I felt quite faint at the thought.
That is ridiculous you want a night stay not a share in the mortgage.
Very true. 🙂
I have stayed in a Travelodge in Sleaford at the evening after my good friend’s 40th Birthday. I was very comfortable a huge double bed to myself for one night.
Yes, we passed a comfortable night and woke up ready for a day touring in the rain. 🙂