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Recollections of a Caper Sideways |
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Saturday Morning |
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We left the Fat Lamb and set off on what was to be a glorious days run. The weather was fine, but being ancient relics we declined to put the hood down although other more intrepid Bears (fully hatted, scarfed and sheepskin coated) did so. We headed down narrow roads through beautiful countryside and on and up Tan Hill. Having passed the highest pub in England we came across 4 groups of valiant walkers heading towards the pub presumably, and wondered where on earth they had walked from. Honestly it was the middle of nowhere and to reach that spot on foot must have taken hours! |
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We motored on, flying over a hump backed bridge and on up to 1650 feet where the views were fantastic, and then down switchback roads that eventually led to Egglestone Hall Gardens for coffee. It maybe just the place to turn ’Ladettes into Ladies’ but the hall looked most unwelcoming with a ’Private Keep Out’ and ’No Admittance’ sign! The coffee shop itself however was great with good coffee and one of the most beautiful flower arrangements I’ve ever seen. |
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Having stopped for petrol (at £5.00 a gallon) just up the road we took to the high roads again across Middleton and Bollihope Commons before descending into Weardale and crossing between Co.Durham and Northumberland and heading towards Hadrians Wall. Somehow I managed to do my usual thing of looking at the view, sheep and/or sky and forgetting to map read, so we never did see Hadrians Wall but found ourselves outside the Twice Brewed Inn just in time for a very nice buffet lunch and much needed loo stop. |
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After lunch we had an exhilarating 45 mile drive past Hexham Race course and along Derwent Resevoir ending at the Durham Dales Centre in Stanhope. Carefully avoiding the craft shops we viewed the Gazebo and the Castle Gardens before having our coffee and compulsory loo stop. It’s quite amazing the way Bears manage to eat and drink almost continuously on their runs yet still have time to drive 150 miles or so over really narrow roads. Then it was on and up past moors with lambs and pewits calling, and down and round and on again until suddenly there we were back at The Black Swan and it was time to wash, change and get ready for another marathon eating session. Hurray!
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Sunday Morning |
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First having persuaded our hotel to serve breakfast early – cos Bears need nourishment – we headed for the Fat Lamb. Unfortunately Chris and Pats’ TR3 had become seriously ill so they were awaiting a ’get you home’ truck to transport them back to Cambridge.
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We headed off through Kelleth and into Orton before crossing the moors. The roads were marvellous, you could see for miles, right across the Lake District Fells. Then along roads with gorse in full bloom and very narrow lanes with primroses on the banks, and lambs everywhere until we came to Abbot Lodge Ice Cream Farm. It was coffee time of course, and after looking at some beautiful Jersey calves it was time for an introduction to ice cream making and tasting. Not exactly my cup of tea as I don’t like milk or indeed ice cream very much. I must admit it went down a treat with everyone else. |
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Leaving Abbot Lodge we head towards the Pennines and through some of the pretty villages in the foothills, through Milburn which is a typical example of a fortified medieval village built round a village green. Then along the Eden Valley and over a bridge at Warcop, believed to be the oldest crossing in use across the River Eden. The end is now in sight with a final drive over the moors arriving back at the Fat Lamb for lunch before setting off for home having had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.
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Bob and Mary - thank you Heather |
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