The Lake District - WHY???

[washedoutandabout]

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?

I’m from around the area. In the last few weeks before school splitting up it has been glorious, heatwave weather. Now school is out we have grey skies and drizzle. Sod’s Law innit?

I have tried today (really)! and I’ll continue to do so tomorrow.

My favourite part of the UK, apart from obviously London, is the Jurassic coast on the Devon / Dorset border and also there are some stunning beaches in North Cornwall (though they have the same thing in that area with grey slate houses).

Thankyou for the tips re- Booths. Where is this pencil museum?

I have to go and be sociable now as it’s a misty barbecue and DH is getting animated.

We are going to sunnier climes in August. Give me a turquoise sparkling sea and I’m happy!

Hang on, you're not with some dodgy drunk bloke screaming you've come on holiday by mistake?

It's absolutely tranquil. I'm not a walking enthusiast but the breathtaking beauty of the Lake District sooths the soul. I'd be a bit worried about someone who needs constant entertainment. You sound like an absolute misery for the people on the trip with you too.

Maybe you'd be better off in Benidorm.

Lol at AnyFucker's photos. They don't make it seem any better

And, despite the crap weather, it's absolutely stunning.

And the air is cleaner than Fulham.

Avoid Keswick at all costs atm, it's mobbed because its Keswick Convention. Google it. You'll not get parked never mind walk anywhere. My OH is from Keswick and I'm from Carnforth. Go to Lancaster, visit the castle, Ashton memorial, Williamson's park and the butterfly house. Also lots of shops 😁. We came back from a week in Keswick last weekend, we had glorious sunshine, we had a great time. Now we live in Dumfries and Galloway with nothing but fields for miles.

I used to work at Booths, stop off at the Cranston's Cafe at Penrith folks. Cumberland sausage at its best 😁

For all you cake lovers Booths do very delicious blackcurrant fresh cream tarts.

@washedoutandabout

The pencil museum used to be in Keswick but has since closed and has moved down Whitehaven way from what my MIL told me. She runs a guest house in Keswick.

If you do end up in Keswick the cheese shop has the best cheese scones you will ever eat.

And if you go to Ambleside I can recommend the Apple Pie cafe, yummy 😋

And Kendal Mint Cake is yuck, btw!

Haven't had Kendal mint cakes for years.

Sure the Pencil Museum is still in Keswick.

I'm going to google it @Disfordarkchocolate in case I wasn't listening to her 😂😂😂

@Disfordarkchocolate my apologies. The museum is there, the factory has moved that way xx

I get it op, I’d rather be in Devon too.

Some people like hiking in the rain, others don’t.

I don’t.

I spent a fortune in Joules and Weirdfish when I was in Keswick last week... spent a bit more in Fatface 🙈🙈🙈 OH wasn't terribly impressed.

The pencil Museum was still in Keswick last month, when I was last there. The Cumberland pencil factory has moved to Whitehaven, but the museum is where it has always been.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/aira-force-and-ullswater

www.grasmeregingerbread.co.uk/our-shop/

www.visitcumbria.com/amb/grasmere-st-oswalds-church/

I nearly nicked a bread roll by accident the last time I was in Booths, I felt like such a ruffian. (Stupid self serve checkouts)

@BikeRunSki I must've switched off when MIL was telling me.

I live in the Lakes and your timing isn't too good OP - it's been pretty dry and sunny for weeks and it's due to be 24 degrees by Wednesday but I think you said you're leaving on Tuesday?

As for the person who said there was nowhere decent to eat - when did you visit? It's become very foodie over the last 20 years - I can think of four Michelin starred restaurants off the top of my head and there are loads of good places to eat!

I really want to go @Bluearsedfly36 but my family don't fancy it

I’m sure I’m a stereotype but I can’t help it

Don't worry, OP, you're not alone - I know it's lovely on rare sunny days, but as a hopeless townie the endless yomping, scrambling-up-fells and admiring-of-watery-views is my idea of hell

As a dear friend once said, "the countryside's a place to visit for the day, then escape"

< Dons tin hat >