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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

The Lake District - WHY???

637 replies

washedoutandabout · 19/07/2019 19:03

Rain, drizzle and yet more rain. Grey sky, grey houses and damp. Everyone in anoraks. Mist and fog and more grey. Plus I’m here with a bunch of American relatives who are all gung-ho and outward-bound and very loud, shrill “upspeak” voices, who think even the grottiest pub is “Awesome!!” Plus DH loves it and is showing off on his competitive extreme hikes.

Help - take me back to Fulham!

AIBU to think this is hell on earth?

OP posts:
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Original poster
washedoutandabout · 20/07/2019 10:26

The tragedy of a sheep less landscape”

There were about 80 sheep in the field outside, but now, this morning - nothing Confused. Do you think they’ve just been moved for rotation? If so how, if they all definitely were there at midnight? Or do I have to fear the worst?

OP posts:
Eaudear · 20/07/2019 10:27

The relatives googled “Best Walks in Britain” before they came and that one came up, so that’s why we’re here.

It is a great walk but it can be a bit brutal towards the end, you have to scramble at Striding Edge.

Before I met DH I wasn't into mountain walking or anything like that at all, he got me into it. We went to the Lakes fairly early on in our relationship and he decided we were going to go up Hellvellyn. I always remember the description in the book of 'a long relentless climb' before you get to Striding Edge and was like Urgh noooooooo, but once I had done it I loved it!!! You will too! I'm sure.... Wink

ErrolTheDragon · 20/07/2019 10:30

We've never fancied striding edge. It's nice to look at, after the relatively short walk up from the thirlmere side.

MidLifeCrisis007 · 20/07/2019 10:30

The top of Helvellyn is VERY scary if you suffer from vertigo. But if it's raining and misty and you can't see the sheer drops on either side, you'll be fine! The descent is easy though as you typically take the hard way up and easy way down.

The Lake District - WHY???
Herefortheduration · 20/07/2019 10:32

It always amazes me that people are shocked when it rains in the Lake District, where the bloody he'll do they think all the water comes from?

TBF I love the Lakes on s bright sunny day but have suffered hundreds of shitty days for this to happen

Original poster
washedoutandabout · 20/07/2019 10:37

I find scrambling down harder than up. Actually, I’d rather not be scrambling anywhere.

I just find all this a bit much tbh. Plus we’re self-catering. I accept that some people seem to be born for such walks, but it can all be a bit boring when they go on about it.

OP posts:
Original poster
washedoutandabout · 20/07/2019 10:38

And I do suffer from vertigo. But if I say that, they’ll laugh. Plus we have 6 teens / pre-teens with us. Fun fun fun!

OP posts:
ThanosSavedMe · 20/07/2019 10:39

I’m with you OP, the grey is just so depressing. I’m sure I’m a lovely sunny day it’s beautiful, but everywhere is good on a sunny day.

We’ve spent many years holidaying in the uk, and when the weather is good it’s amazing, the trouble is you can’t guarantee good weather.

I need that 2 weeks of sunshine, so would be really passed off if my holiday was somewhere so grey and dreary.

But it’s a good job we all like different things. My idea of holiday heaven will be someone else’s idea of holiday hell!

At least you have August to look forward too OP

WhiteDust · 20/07/2019 10:41

Do you think they’ve just been moved for rotation? If so how, if they all definitely were there at midnight? Or do I have to fear the worst?

You're brilliant OP! Grin Think of this as an adventure into the countryside! I love it when my London friends come to stay! Their eyes are on stalks most of the time! Grin

ThanosSavedMe · 20/07/2019 10:43

OP it would be awful if you developed a really bad migraine overnight so you couldn’t join them for tomorrow’s hike. I’m sure you’ll be fine if you stay at the house for a while. Maybe with a nice bottle of red wine and a good book 😉

ErrolTheDragon · 20/07/2019 10:43

And I do suffer from vertigo. But if I say that, they’ll laugh

That's seriously not on. There are many lovely walks in the lakes but if you have vertigo then they shouldn't be pressuring you into doing striding edge.

I find scrambling down harder than up.

That's normal. It's just about always safer to take the hard way up and the easy way down.

WhiteDust · 20/07/2019 10:43

Are you camping? If not, I recommend camping for your next trip 'up north'! You'll LOVE it! Haha!!!

chomalungma · 20/07/2019 10:44

And I do suffer from vertigo

I would strongly advise you not to do Striding Edge. There are alternative ways up Helvellyn

RubbingHimSourly · 20/07/2019 10:45

Good luck for today op .......it's pissing down here Grin

If you're looking for something different to do that everyone will love the steam gathering is on this weekend in Cartmel. It's a lot better than it sounds. Wink

AmaryllisNightAndDay · 20/07/2019 10:47

And I do suffer from vertigo. But if I say that, they’ll laugh.

Let them. "Off you go, guys, have a lovely time. I'm staying here with a book. See you all tonight. Byeee!"

Dieu · 20/07/2019 10:47

I found it overrated when I went.

Original poster
washedoutandabout · 20/07/2019 10:48

I’m not meaning to sound facetious but how could they have removed all those sheep between the hours of 12am and 6am? They’ve literally disappeared. They were right outside the window. They’re not in the next fields or anywhere.

Will all these sheep eventually be eaten or do they just provide wool mainly?

OP posts:
SeamstressfromTreacleMineRoad · 20/07/2019 10:48

OP, are you the reincarnation of my (much-missed) MiL..? The year after FiL died, she and her sister went on a coach tour of Scotland. When they got back, DH & I picked them up from the coach, and I asked whether she'd had a good time. She shrugged and said, 'Meh - too much scenery...' Grin
It's become a family saying....Smile

WhiteDust · 20/07/2019 10:48

Good luck for today op .......it's pissing down here 

It really is!
I've found this for you OP!
www.lakedistrictlodgeholidays.co.uk/blog/18-things-lake-district-rainy-day/

Macca84 · 20/07/2019 10:51

Better weather here today, OP!

I'd reiterate don't do striding edge if you don't feel comfortable. It's very exposed in places and is an accident black spot- unfortunately there's been a number of fatalities there. There's a nice easy footpath you can take to avoid it if memory serves me correctly.

Loopytiles · 20/07/2019 10:52

Sounds like you’re not as outdoorsy as your H and relatives? Fair enough!

I always fancied outdoorsy boys/men but disliked the outdoors. I regard doing SOME outdoorsy things as the price I pay for a DH with great legs and bum Grin

Over the years have got to enjoy some walks / biking etc but occasionally opt out and DH drags the DC and I do something I enjoy more instead.

RubbingHimSourly · 20/07/2019 10:53

Making someone who hasn't really climbed before do striding edge is just fucking stupid........they obviously aren't as clued up as they think. Mountain rescue love people like that 🙄

AmaryllisNightAndDay · 20/07/2019 10:53

I find scrambling down harder than up.

I tend to slip and trip so I use walking poles. Got some years ago, watched a YouTube video. It's not hard and I'm a lot more stable.

Original poster
washedoutandabout · 20/07/2019 10:58

OMG now I’m really worried about this Hellvellyn.

Have there really been fatalities? I’m worried about the DC.

I’m with very outward-bound types and they laugh at me because I’m not like them, eg. “oh this is the first time we’ve seen you in flat shoes.”
Do you know they type of people I mean? They would wear camping clothes in town, that kind of thing. Yet they think I’m odd.

I’ve walked in the Himalayas etc but that was 20 years ago.

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