Ambleside Weekend ...

... in slightly more detail !!

Saturday morning/afternoon work was a bit of a joke - I'd been working in Ashton on Thursday - then had a call on Thursday afternoon saying "Come in - to Oldham - early on Saturday and prep a walk". At about 0610 hrs on Saturday had a txt saying "Come in even earlier - and prep TWO walks". Went to Ashton first to drop off "stuff" from Thursday, thence to Oldham, prepped accordingly and was then told "Can you go to Ashton and do a walk there". Hmmm ... Did same - finished about 1430, straight home - bags already packed - and then off up the M60/M6 towards the Lakes. Stopped off just outside Lancaster (Lune Estuary) for late lunch/early tea picnic before reaching Ambleside. Dropped off stuff at B&B and then hit the pubs ! Sampled some Coniston "Bluebird Bitter", Cumbrian "Loweswater Gold" and some Hartleys "Cumbria Way" before collapsing in a heap - it had been a long Saturday !

Up for (Full English) brekkie at 0830 before walking straight out of the B&B on an 8 miler around Scandale reaching heights of 2,500 feet (Dove Crag). Blazing hot day as well with all the climbing done in the first half before a gentle descent through the dale. Excellent walk with excellent views. Dropped into the Co-op on return (forgot shaver !) and also grabbed a "Non League Paper" to check out Saturday's stuff - good to see Mossley beating high-flying AFC Fylde - even better to see Stafford Rangers keeping themselves in with a chance of avoiding relegation by winning at Corby. Back for shower and change before heading out for ... food ! An excellent nosh was had at Tarantella - I went for the ham, chicken and leek terrine for starters with the local lamb and veg in a red wine jus for main (must learn how to do a jus !), while Mrs Smiffy had stuffed (big) sardines and then the wild mushroom risotto - top food, nice relaxed restaurant - recommended ... then found another (Robbies) pub and continued the assault on "Cumbria Way" !!

Monday saw another full English before packing up the car and heading for Stickle Ghyll in the Langdales for a 6 miler around Pike o'Stickle. Incidentally on both days we bought our lunch - huge butties from Nick's Kitchen - surely the best buttie shop in Ambleside ! A little cooler - and a bit windier - but another stonking walk nevertheless ... piccies from both days at

Ambleside Weekend - 23-25Apr11

Finished around 1600 hrs and then it was back to Mossley for homemade spag bol and a bit of "R & R" - and a play with "PhotoMerge" (!!). Found out that Droylsden had NOT done Stafford a great favour by only drawing with (rather than thrashing !!) Hyde FC. However it leaves the Blue Square North relegation fight on until the last day of the season. Hyde go to Corby with a one point advantage over Stafford (and an 8 goal superior goal difference - eek !), while Stafford visit ... Stalybridge Celtic ! You can guess where I will be on Saturday afternoon - hope to God I finish work early enough ...

Back to work for me today - got a txt at about 0545 hrs (WTF !!) asking for me to come in early and prepare a walk - did so (via Ashton again to drop off the Saturday "stuff") before I went off to the wilds of Royton (wish I hadn't worn my shorts - 'twas a bit breezy !!) - I believe I'm on the same walk for the next couple of days as well - but you never know (sometimes "p*ss-ups and breweries" come to mind with the staffing methods !!) - and then we've got the "Stuff the Royal Wedding" trip to Lancaster City on Friday afternoon to see Mossley's season come to a close ...

That's all folks ...
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