Penrith

Penrith from the Beacon

Saturday we packed our bags and headed the scenic route to Penrith, where Matt had booked a B&B.   We had planned to go into the Lake District again for a walk, but Storm Hannah was above us, meaning it was grey, rainy and windy - we decided walking wouldn't be much fun.  We haven't actually stopped in Penrith - only going through it in the past, but believed it would be a good town to spend a day, it has a population of 15,000 but punches way above its weight as it is the main service town to a massive area of the Lakes.  We found ourselves a free car park and headed to the town.  Lots of nice independent shops including delis and old persons' clothing shops (you know what I mean - big industrial bras, and shapeless nighties etc - you wonder how they manage to keep going) also yarn shop, sewing shop, a HUGE Yorkshire Trading Company which is always good fun to browse, outdoor shops etc etc the high street kept us busy.  We found ourselves in a place called the Narrow Bar Cafe for lunch which was excellent - I had an avocado, chorizo, halloumi, pickled red onion and spicy chilli jam sandwich with sweet potato chips - wow a flavour sensation - every mouthful was amazing!

Long Meg and ....

We then relocated the car, parking near the B&B before heading up to the Beacon - a view point above Penrith.  Suffered a bit of 'Box Hill Syndrome' - ie not great walking uphill when you have a full stomach - but I made it.  Was a good view across the Eden Valley towards the Lake District.    We walked back down and checked into our B&B, lovely host and spotless.  We had some down time and then headed out back into town to a craft bar for some beer.  We then decided to head to a Thai restaurant for tea, but when we got there it was empty so we changed our plans and went to an Indian (set in an old cinema).  There were plenty of people there, so many, that it took over an hour to get any food.  The food was really good, but it took so long that the evening was a little spoiled.  Oh hum, we returned back and enjoyed a lazy evening.

... some of her daughters

Sunday dawned much brighter - we donned our walking clothes, enjoyed smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for breakfast and then headed to Little Salkeld where we started a walk to Long Meg and her daughters (stone circle) and then along the Eden River and back in a circle.  Lovely walk of 5.5 miles - enough to stretch my legs out ready for the 3 peaks next weekend.  Even found some amazing caves half way along the river - very Famous Five, we looked for treasure but couldn't find any!  We even walked alongside the Settle Carlisle railway for a bit and saw a train.  What more could you want?!  

Once back at the car, we headed to Tebay for lunch (a bit of cake each - we weren't that hungry) and then on to Waddecar Scout Activity Centre to pick up Tom.  We had to sit through a St George's Day parade first.  Everyone looked quite tired but happy.  It was chaos, but Tom assured us that he had everything!  He didn't!  Luckily I went into his dorm and claimed loads of items of clothing on the floor that he had left but even having done that he has left his trainers behind (same old problem of not looking after his belongings - I asked him twice if he had packed them and he assured me he had, we got home and they weren't there!  They are his main out of school shoes, so I was cross with him - mainly because I had asked him and had trusted his answer - I hate that I can't trust him!)

Lacy's Caves

We had an interesting trip home too - an old couple in a vintage car decided to hog a narrow road, forcing us into the bank and in a bush!  We didn't clash, but then when they started up again and tried to get past us they scraped the side of our car and the two cars got completely wedged into each other.  In the end about 5 of us had to bounce our car out of the way of the other car so it could reverse and let us pass.  The man driving it was above 70, completely deaf and seemed to have no road sense at all - his wife said that the fact we were pointing into the hedge was proof we weren't driving properly - we were  in the hedge because they forced us into it - otherwise we would have had a head on collision!!!!!  Their car was unscathed!  Not sure he should have been driving at all?!  Oh hum - not a great end to the holidays!

Cubs' parade

Tom fell asleep in the car just as we got to Ingleton!  We had to wake him up, he had a shower and felt much better, then an early tea and then early to bed.