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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:
Thread gallery
28
Macca84 · 20/07/2019 10:58

Via Ferrata extreme at honister is an excellent day for the thrill seekers, plus you're clipped in constantly so it's perfectly safe. Please don't let your DH talk you into Striding Edge if you're not comfortable, I really cannot reiterate this enough!

Original poster
washedoutandabout · 20/07/2019 10:59

Thankyou so much for the list if things to do in the rain, but I won’t get far with that.

OP posts:
Macca84 · 20/07/2019 11:00

Yes, there have been plenty of fatalities on Striding Edge. Sorry, not trying to panic you - but it's not to be underestimated

ineedaholidaynow · 20/07/2019 11:01

I remember my excitement the first time I went to the Lake District, as I was an avid reader of all the Swallows and Amazons books. I loved it.

However, I too suffer from vertigo and am not the greatest hiker, so the more gentle walks are for me. I find just sitting by a lake very therapeutic (but probably not in the pouring rain).

I would certainly give Striding Edge a miss. I certainly wouldn’t be able to do that

Kazzyhoward · 20/07/2019 11:08

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

We eat lambs, not sheep. Mature sheep don't taste nice and is called "mutton".

Mature sheep are kept for wool as a side income - their real purpose is to breed more lambs.

Farmers move them around all the time.

Original poster
washedoutandabout · 20/07/2019 11:10

Well I just googled Striding Edge and watched a video and I feel like crying now. I can’t believe DH would put us through that. It’s sheer rock all the way down.

OP posts:
PineappleSeahorse · 20/07/2019 11:11

Seriously don't do it. Better they laugh at you now(And they're dicks if they do) than cry at your funeral.

PleaseGoogleIt · 20/07/2019 11:13

'Driving is dicey' ???

You're not in Peru, you're in the UK.

I think you need to man up and get out of London a bit more. The Lakes are one of the most beautiful places in the world, how you could think Fulham is better is baffling.

DC will benefit from a good walk, think of it as character building and do it more often - do you not take them walking at home?

CherryPavlova · 20/07/2019 11:13

Striding edge gives a wonderful sense of awe and achievement. The children did it whilst the youngest was still in primary. Take it as a fantastic opportunity.

Original poster
washedoutandabout · 20/07/2019 11:13

Thanks Kazzy. I’m a vegetarian so do wonder about these things. I couldn’t help thinking the spray painting might have meant, “your days are numbered” for the sheep.

OP posts:
howwudufeel · 20/07/2019 11:15

If you are vegetarian you should try Fellini’s in Ambleside. Their food is great.

Original poster
washedoutandabout · 20/07/2019 11:16

Seriously how wide is the path at Strifing Edge? On the video it looked about 1 metre wide? I will have to crawl because vertigo is a real thing and I’ve got worse since I had DC for some reason. I’m not as confident, balance-wise. What happens if fog comes in?

OP posts:
Kazzyhoward · 20/07/2019 11:17

I couldn’t help thinking the spray painting might have meant, “your days are numbered” for the sheep.

They're ownership markings, so the farmers know who they belong to. In "tupping" season, there are also marks on those who've been "tupped".

Kazzyhoward · 20/07/2019 11:17

What happens if fog comes in?

You don't go up mountains if there's a forecast of fog.

PineappleSeahorse · 20/07/2019 11:18

FFS Don't go. Just say no. You are clearly dreading it and aren't suited to it(Neither am I) and it can be very dangerous. It's fine to say no. In fact it'd be utterly insane to try from what you've said.

Disfordarkchocolate · 20/07/2019 11:22

If you have vertigo give Striding Edge a miss, let all the rest enjoy it and chill out with a good book.

Original poster
washedoutandabout · 20/07/2019 11:24

DH is an ex-military, extreme hobbies type and the relatives are the type of people who love nothing more than to go “off grid” in the Rockies of Alaska with canoes and rifles, that kind of thing. It’s really hard work and they make me feel inadequate.

OP posts:
MajesticWhine · 20/07/2019 11:27

It's the company you're keeping that's the problem

userxx · 20/07/2019 11:29

@MrsCasares That's the best breed 👍. Definitely border terrier in there I'd say with German shepherd ears!! Lovely little dog.

Captaindaddydog · 20/07/2019 11:30

If you are not confident don't do Striding Edge. In nice weather in summer it will be busy so I would avoid it for that reason and if it is bad weather you shouldn't be on it if you don't know what you are doing.

MarthasGinYard · 20/07/2019 11:30

'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 🙄'

I'm inclined to agree

Also is your 7 yo a keen walker.

PineappleSeahorse · 20/07/2019 11:32

They're the inadequate ones if they can't understand that not everyone enjoys the things that they do or are suited to them. Would your DH really laugh at you over this? If so you have a bigger problem to worry over than what he thinks of you for not climbing this. Please don't put yourself at risk because you're concerned about what they think.

MarthasGinYard · 20/07/2019 11:34

Can't imagine your boots are well enough broken in for the actual tops and screes either.

Be careful up there

Original poster
washedoutandabout · 20/07/2019 11:38

Thankyou for the reality check. I will tell them I’ve looked into it.

Gtg - going on a walk now. Wish me luck Confused

OP posts:
Eaudear · 20/07/2019 11:39

They would wear camping clothes in town, that kind of thing.

Do they wear camping clothes round Fulham way? Grin

On a serious note, have any of them done Striding Edge before? If none of them have, it might be a bit dodgy as it's tougher than you would think. And if you have vertigo its dodgy as well. And absolutely do not do it if its wet!

I googled fatalities on Striding Edge and found this! Shock

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-33242230

And I say all this as someone who did Striding Edge as a total novice and am very much of the 'if I can do it anyone can' - but I was with someone I totally trusted (not to laugh at me!) who had done it before, and it was a dry day. And we didn't have any kids with us.