The Windermere Lodges Blog

And it’s goodnight from him…

admin — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:11:15 +0000

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/jhobson/public_html/windermerelodge/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821

I have been writing this blog here for about 4 years now, but as the lodge business has grown we have started up a web site that incorporates all of our lodges. It seems more sensible to carry on blogging over there now, so if you want to follow what we are up to can I invite you over to http://www.lakedistrictholidaylodges.co.uk/wp/ .

See you there!

Don’t look down! A trike ride across the Wrynose and Hardknott passes

admin — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 06:14:44 +0000

We’ve been quite lucky with the weather over the last 10 days, and so it seemed like a good time to try out yet another of my long term dreams. A ride on a motorised trike.

Calico Trike Tours

David Lister of Calico Trike Tours offers chauffeur driven rides around the Lakes on his yellow beast of a machine. If you fancy an exhilarating afternoon seeing some amazing scenery whilst being pointed at and stared at then this is for you

Tom and I were pretty excited when the day arrived. David came down to Limefitt Park where we have our rental lodges from his base in Penrith to pick us up and immediately attracted a crowd.

Attracting a crowd

He brought helmets the right size for us and windproof jackets, which even on a sunny day in July proved welcome.

Getting kitted out

We set off via Ambleside and made our way across to Wrynose. The journey over was uneventful but great fun. After a while you get used to people pointing at you, and you start to feel like minor royalty as people wave at you and you wave back. Tom’s face was a picture – huge smiles! David has a communication system built into the bike so we chatted on the way over. He’s a genial host and knows a lot about the local area. As with our recent electric bike experience, one of the best things about this mode of transport is the immediacy of your surroundings. As you drive past a hedge you get a waft of scent and you can hear the birds in the trees.

When we reached Wrynose we swung up and round a seemingly interminable series of bends and then after cresting the pass we headed down again. The only way I can describe the descent is to say it was like a prolonged helter skelter ride, but in real life conditions. David though is a careful and considerate driver and seemed to anticipate every car we met so it didn’t feel dangerous, just exciting.

We had a repeat experience over Hardknott, passing the Roman Fort on the way. For those of you who don’t know the area this bleak but beautiful scenery is among the very best that the Lake District has to offer. I have driven it before, but when you are driving you don’t get much chance to enjoy the scenery as your eyes are on every twist of the road. This was quite different as you can take it all in.

Once over the pass we stopped at the cafe of the Ravenglass – Eskdale railway for a cup of coffee and a biscuit before returning the way we came.

A happy passenger

The return journey, whilst on the same route, gave us different perspectives on the scenery, and Tom also spotted a heron circling high up in the sky over Hardknott like a buzzard, which I thought quite odd.

We arrived back at Limefitt about 3 hours after we set off having had a thoroughly good time. It was especially good for Tom as he’s had an accident recently that has kept home from doing his crazy scooter tricks, so he had been suffering from adrenaline withdrawal. The smile on his face all the way through said all that was needed. I think he quite enjoyed the bragging rights it brought as well.

After some more attention as we arrived (very few people it seems can see this yellow hog go by without being fascinated by it) we said good bye to David and watched (and listened) to him leaving on his way back over the Kirkstone Pass.

It was a fantastic afternoon out. We saw some lovely scenery and had an experience that was definitely out of the normal run of what we do up here. In fact David told us that he gets hired for all sorts of unique days out and treats – he has even delivered kids to their school prom in full prom dress regalia (them not him I hasten to add). I’m not in the least surprised at how successful this is as it really is something very different.

David looked after us extremely well and I’ve never felt safer on a motor bike. This was definitely a day to remember.

Here is a video of the trip!

If you would like to book a tour with David you can contact him via his web site at www.calicotriketours.co.uk

I have some video we took from the trike but we haven’t got round to processing it yet. I’ll add it once we have done so.

Together in Electric Dreams – Lake District Cycling The Easy Way

admin — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:45:24 +0000

This week I tried out one of the new activities that have recently taken off in the Lake District – Electric Cycling.

Electric Bike at Limefitt Park

There are two types of electric bike available in the Lakes just now, the most obvious difference being the charging capacity. The ones with the lower capacity are serviced by a growing network of charging points. The higher capacity versions can go for a much longer distances between charges but strangely need less charging time than the network bikes. Given that recharging seems to entail stopping at a pub and asking the landlord if he’d mind letting you plug in the battery to charge (I was told that the cost of a full recharge is about 3p) whilst you enjoy a pint and a ploughman’s, that sounds quite attractive. The bike I tried was one of the higher capacity versions. The bikes like the one I used can also be used off-road as they have front suspension and rear hub drives and a choice of tyres. The network bikes are hard suspension front wheel drive road goers only.

I met Warwick Pickering who runs Electric Mountain (www.electric-mountain.co.uk) when we were down at the Glebe to watch the Windermere Air Festival. After chatting about the idea I took one of the bikes around the car park at Windermere Aquatics where he is based, and I was immediately hooked.

It’s not like being on a motor bike – the motor doesn’t do all of the work for you. Instead you have an engine supporting the work you do. This means that on the flat you can bowl along almost without effort, and the sting is taken out of those long uphill slogs that can make cycling in the Lakes a bit challenging for those of us who are no longer slim and in the first flush of our youth. (OK a bit flabby and fifty two if you really have to know).

I decided to put the bike to a test by cycling all the way up from Bowness on Windermere to the top of the Kirkstone Pass. That’s a 15 mile round trip distance with a height gain of about 1,400 feet.

Windermere from the top of the Kirkstone Pass

I have tried that climb from half way up at Limefitt Park before, and I have to admit that I gave up and walked my own bike at several points.

I started off up the road and began the long slope up to the A591/A592 roundabout. This is a bit of a killer for the unfit as it is just under 2 miles of pretty continuous up hill pedaling. I arrived at the roundabout barely out of breath. I should point out at this point that Warwick had packed me a spare battery just in case and added some panniers for my gear so the bike was heavier than it might have been too.

I crossed over the roundabout, (noticing half way across that electric bikes don’t have any magical powers when it comes to careless car drivers not paying attention to bicycles) and started the long climb up the Kirkstone Pass. The first section is quite easy and I enjoyed the scenery as I climbed gently along the Troutbeck Valley. As I passed Limefitt Park where we have our rental lodges the going started to get tougher.

On the bike you have three power settings. As I passed The Queen’s Head in Troutbeck I was using top thrusting power but the steep slope meant I was also having to put in a bit of a effort myself. In spite of that it was still very enjoyable as I was conquering a climb that had beaten me before. On a couple of occasions I even stood up to get the required power, but I didn’t get off the bike once and I duly reached the Kirkstone Pass Inn. Here I decided I deserved some refreshment so I locked up the bike and went in to buy a pint of shandy. The barman and I were just discussing how steep the pass was on a bike and I was feeling quite proud of myself when a couple of guys came in and laughingly told me I’d been cheating by using an electric bike. Ah – did I forget to mention that I omitted this detail in my chat with the barman?

Refreshments at The Kirkstone Inn

Anyway – back out to the bike and the chance to savour what still felt like quite an achievement.

Refreshed and happy I began the descent. Predictably this was more than a bit quicker that the ride up, and I am pleased to report that the brakes on the bike are quite efficient too! Half way down I stopped off at Limefitt Park to show off the bike to Linda, Tom and some friends. Everyone seems to be very interested when they see the bike – it’s still quite a novelty and think people could tell from my face that I was having a great time on it. A quick cuppa then it was back down to Bowness to return the bike. The whole jaunt took me just over two hours and I had an absolute blast. From the power indicators I had hardly used any of the charge on what was a pretty challenging first run. I still had 3 out of 3 red lights showing!

So what did I make of my afternoon out? Well,first off, I had a fantastic time. Even on my own I really enjoyed the experience. This felt as though I had done some exercise but it enabled me to cover a lot more distance over much more challenging gradients than I would ever have done on my own mountain bike. I think that having to put a bit of effort in yourself is part of the magic – after all if you want to be pushed along with no effort get a moped. As usual on a bike you get that connection with your surroundings that is often missing in a car, and the whole thing is simple and great fun. I am sure that if all you wanted to do was to tootle along on the flat you’d still have a wonderful time as well as you’d get to cover much more ground for a given level of effort. I am considering doing one of the tours with a blue badge guide next. These bikes would also be great for a family day out at Grizedale or somewhere similar, but be aware that the minimum age to hire a bike is 14.

You can see my video blog of the trip here:

If you want to try this yourself get in touch with Warwick – you can find him next to the Windermere Aquatics marina on the Glebe in Bowness or contact him via www.electric-mountain.co.uk

The Windermere Air Festival

admin — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 05:12:20 +0000

We were really lucky to be invited to join our friends Bob and Joanne on their boat to watch the Windermere Air Festival on Sunday from the lake. The weather was absolutely perfect and the displays were fantastic. We left it a bit late going down down to the Glebe so we had to park a mile away and walk. (Note to self, next time get down earlier as we only saw the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from the road!)

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Here are some favourite moments

and finally I think these happy boaters were trying to recreate a Red Arrows mid air pass with the ferry

Windermere walks – always something new

admin — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 08:59:14 +0000

Yesterday Tom went to the Windermere Air Festival with friends and we took the opportunity to do our favourite walk around Dubbs reservoir.. We do this walk a lot but we never get tired of it as there is always something new to make it interesting. As we climbed up from Limefitt Park the village of Troutbeck looked chocolate box pretty across the valley.

Troutbeck

The path up to the top level has had a lot of work done on it recently. After the 2009 floods it had got into a bad state and it was quite a challenge on a mountain bike. Now it has been graded and it looks as though you could almost get a pushchair up it.

The track up from Limefitt Park

It was a hot and humid and being a black dog on such a day is just not fair, or so it would appear from Suki’s expression as she quite literally squeezed in every opportunity to cool down.

It's a dogs life

Along the path the foxgloves were still on show..

Foxglove

..but we were surprised to see that autumn seems to be coming on fast already and the hedgerows were full of raspberries.

Raspberries

As we walked along the to past the reservoirs we got a blast of the heady perfume of meadowsweet – that beautifully named flower that grows in swathes along the banks of the track.

Meadowsweet

Walking back along the lane we were treated to a distant view of the Air Show.

The Windermere Air Show

…and arriving back in the valley we enjoyed a view that nobody could ever tire of

The Troutbeck Valley

As we got closer to Limefitt Park we heard sirens and then, as we got into the park we had our own air show as the Air Ambulance landed a few feet away to attend a road traffic accident on the A592 by the church.

Air Ambulance

It was a worrying sight so I was glad to read on Twitter shortly after that nobody had been seriously hurt.

What a variety of things to see, hear and smell though. And next time it will be different again.

How I freed a UV filter that was stuck on Tom’s camera

admin — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 09:59:49 +0000

Tom, our son, has got quite interested by photography since we discovered the marvelous Lake District photography of Stewart Smith. Yesterday he couldn’t get the UV filter off the main lens on his digital SLR – it was locked solid. Having tried a few times we ended up Googling the problem and came up with two potential solutions. One was to put the camera in the fridge for half an hour, which I wasn’t keen on as it would have meant condensation forming in the camera as it warmed up. The other was to wear a rubber glove to get a better grip with less pressure. Amazingly this worked straight away so I thought I’d share it here in case anyone else has the same problem.

10 Reasons Why You Should Choose Windermere Lodges For Your Next UK Holiday

admin — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:50:23 +0000

We are just 3 miles from Ambleside, Windermere and Bowness but we are in the delightful Troutbeck valley – a world away from the bustle of the major towns.
There is some fantastic walking that you can do straight from the lodge door and we even provide downloadable GPS maps to help you find your way.
We have two of the best pubs in the Lake District on our door step. The Mortal Man (just voted one of Britain’s 15 best beer gardens) and the Queen’s Head. There is also an on-site pub – The Haybarn
Self-catering accommodation is a great way to make sure you get a spacious place to stay and you can save up for those fantastic meals out by eating in for a couple of nights. Much easier and better value than a hotel room or a B&B.
All our lodges have large decking areas and the views are stunning.
You can take advantage of the free leisure passes to the facilities at White Cross Bay that we provide for all our guests.
The lodges are all well equipped with books, games , PS2s and DVD players provided, so if it rains you can still keep the kids entertained.
We have negotiated some great discounts with local suppliers for you – details on request.
We are extremely dog and child friendly.
You will take home a whole heap of happy memories of a great holiday!

There’s gold in them thar hills

admin — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 06:50:45 +0000

Well it’s not the wild west in ’49, but prospectors have found gold in Troutbeck! Before you all rush to book with dreams of coming on holiday and finding enough gold to fund a lodge at Limefitt Park I should probably point out that the amounts are minuscule.

A GROWING band of prospectors are going for gold in the Lake District hills.

Traces of the precious metal have been found in Troutbeck, Dunmail Raise and pockets of Sedbergh, as well as Mungrisdale and Alston by two keen Cumbrian panners.

http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/9047772.There_s_gold_in_them_thar_hills_/

Would it be mean to tell our son Tom and his mates and then see how long they can be kept amused with a metal dish and the beck which flows though the park?

Another great Iphone App for guests at our Lake District Lodges

admin — Sun, 15 May 2011 13:57:58 +0000

I was browsing The Observer today when I found a link to an Iphone App called IBBQ.

It has recipes and videos, all very professionally put together, and it even shows you what the weather forecast is for the local area and where to find local butchers using the Iphone’s GPS!

As having a barbie outside the lodge is one of the (many ) highpoints a lodge holiday I am adding this to our list of recommended Lake Distrisct Iphone Apps.

Does this mean that it will now rain all summer… ?

Look Out William Wordsworth

admin — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:17:27 +0000

Without a doubt the most famous poet in the history of the Lake District was William Wordsworth, but every day new pretenders to his crown are inspired by local events to put pen to paper.

Take yesterday for instance. Our cleaner, Gary, was having a rest and sat on one of the chairs at Otter Lodge and broke it (he’s a big lad, and I’m not sure what he was doing resting when he was supposed to have been making the lodge sparkling but there you go.)

Anyway, we immediately had to go into panic mode to try to sort out the problem. Linda found a matching set of chairs on Ebay from a seller in Kirkby Stephen and Gary volunteered to drive over to collect them. Two hours later all was OK again, but the events obviously made a great impact on Debs (Gary’s better half) as she wrote this.

All in a days work

Oh dear what can the matter be
For Gaz, he’s had a catastrophe….!

With a coffee at Otter
When, Oh did he totter
and oh, what crash to the ground.

With a grunt and a groan
and a very big moan ,
he picks himself up, and on to the phone..!!

With spindles and spokes in all directions,
And for Gaz, and for this one, there is no correction.

A quick call to John
to explain what had gone
and now to find the solution……???

In no time at all, and thanks to ebay
Gary and Debs are now off to Tebay.

All loaded up new table and chairs, and now back in time for tea.

I think there’ll be no more coffee at Otter for Gary and Me…!!!

Excellent ! And thanks to both of you for being so wonderful as always!!!

PS I’m sure the bit about the “very big moan” was accurate