Wednesday 28 December
(That last post should have been dated Tuesday 27 December - seem to have lost track of the days)
It was a dark and stormy night and, my goodness, did that wind blow? I imagine it would have been a quite 'interesting' night in a tent.
Alas, it hadn't blown itself out by this morning and soon plans were being tempered. The plan hatched last night was heavily influenced by the realisation yesterday evening that both the pasta and the rice, which were key ingredients in our planned evening meals, were still in the cupboard at home. As a result we would take in Middle Dodd and Red Screes on our way down to Ambleside to rectify our grocery gap. We would also take the opportunity to buy yet another map case as all five of our existing ones were also still at home. Doh! More checklists required (or maybe if we'd even glanced at any of the ones that already exist...).
As the wind continued unabated it was clear that I didn't want to battle that wind for 12 miles (although I suppose it would have been behind us for at least some of that distance). Instead hopes of hills were abandonned in favour of a short, low-level stroll into Patterdale. Such a crying shame as the cloud was well above the summits and the day not a bad one (save for the wind).
Patterdale's Post Office saw us right in the grocery department before we fell into the White Lion for a cup of tea. That was over an hour ago. We're still making our way through the vat of tea served to us. I'm not sure that we've ever been defeated by a pot of tea before - but eight cups apiece does seem a little excessive.
The weather forecast displayed in the Post Office suggests that today's 'hurricane force winds on summits' will abate tomorrow to a more reasonable 30-40mph. As for today, after a stroll back to Colin there are books to be read and I'm sure that more tea will feature in our leisurely afternoon.
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Why not keep a couple of your 'spare' map cases with Colin? Won't get caught out then. (You've probably already thought of that since...)
ReplyDeleteEight cups apiece?! Either tiny cups or one enormous tea pot!
Looks like Colin is a superb addition.
Remeber Middle Dodd well its where I sprained my ankle earlier this year. Followed yor route across the Roaches a few days ago - really enjoyed it although I almost missed going into Lud's Church. Enjoy
ReplyDeleteRuss
Louise - Funnily enough, we had already muttered about putting a spare map case in Colin. We used to keep one in the car for the same reason (it must be our most forgotten piece of kit). Unfortunately, they all migrate back into the house eventually.
ReplyDeleteAs for the tea, it was a huge pot accompanied by an equally large pot of hot water. Certainly the most tea that we've ever been served in one sitting!
Russ - I'm pleased to say that our trip over Middle Dodd was less eventful than yours!
ReplyDeleteLud's Church is a fantastic feature isn't it? Bet it was a bit muddy at this time of year, though.
I was out that day near Wasdale - the wind was managable on the tops - although I do have a lot of ballast to help me, and given how dreich the weather has been of late, it was a good day to be out.
ReplyDeleteI sympathise with the need for tick-lists, it I don't seem to be able to get out for a day walk properly equipped.