A Windermere Wash-Out

Last weekend was set to be one of the highlights of the month - I had entered for the Great North Swim, booked into our favourite bed & breakfast in Ambleside, booked a table at the fab Zefirellis for the Saturday night and picked out a number of walks for the Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

a dismal looking Helm Crag

As can happen with mother nature and the Lake District come head to head, it wasn't to be. I got the news on Friday afternoon that the swim was cancelled, but seeing as the rest was already booked Claire and I thought we'd make the most of it and enjoy a weekend in the Lakes - it takes more than a spot of rain to deter us! But doubts were setting in on the horrendous drive over on Friday night, with parts of the A66 flooded not to mention the side roads such as the one to St Johns In The Vale looking unpassable.

heavy clouds over Thirmere taken from the car

 After a nice night out in Ambleside, the weather on the Saturday morning was no better! I always look for the silver lining as you may have noticed, so as we decided to cut our trip short, we made a detour to Booths in Keswick for some walking magazines and Lakeland ales, as well as a stop at the rather nice Rheged Centre just outside Penrith where we had a look and the shops and enjoyed the photo gallery on display which included several pictures from my namesake Tom Chapman!

the goodies!