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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to go to the lake district this weekend with Storm Dennis?

47 replies

DataColour · 12/02/2020 12:49

Accommodation and trains already booked and non refundable. We are staying in Ambleside and was hoping to go on some walks. Haven't been to the Lakes in years, so was really looking forward to it. With DCs 9 and 11.

But storm Dennis is predicted and this is not just a normal bit of rain is it? Would it be wiser to cancel or can the this weekend away be salvaged?
Worried about cancelled trains/added expense of taxis, getting to and from places because of heavy rain, not being able to go on long walks etc etc. Kids are looking forward to staying in a youth hostel and a change of scenery.

Don't know what to do!

OP posts:

CaptainMyCaptain · 12/02/2020 17:33

We are staying in a B&B but our friends have a camper van, I wouldn't blame them if they pulled out but we'll still go.

mrsfee · 12/02/2020 17:47

I am also heading to the Lakes this weekend with my 3yo. I'm bringing all the waterproofs he owns! Staying in Ambleside and looking at low level walks, preferably sheltered by trees, Wray Castle and the Ravenglass Railway. The weather doesn't look as bad as last weekend so I'm not cancelling unless I can't physically get there: we've been looking forward to this for a while.

I hope you have a lovely time.

cheesewitheverything · 12/02/2020 17:50

We stayed in Grasmere last weekend and loved it. The weather was pretty horrible by most people's standards admittedly, but we walked miles and it was beautifully quiet everywhere.

PumpkinPie2016 · 12/02/2020 17:58

We are going to Bowness on Fri for a week. In a cottage but by car not train.

No intention of cancelling.

Can you look up some indoor activities just in case the weather is too bad for walks?

There is a cinema in Ambleside, fun pool in Keswick plus hall of mirrors, pencil museum all.at Keswick.

Steam train from Lakeside, get off at Haverthwaite and its only a mile walk to the lakeland motor museum- our 6 year old loves it there! Great quiz for kids which has different levels plus old fashioned games to play on (take some 20p coins). Good cafe at the museum.

Steam boat museum between Ambleside and Bowness is good - again, quiz for kids, room.with activities. Nice cafe there.

Can you afford some pub lunches? The sun at crook and the travellers rest near Grasmere are favourites of ours.

Honestly, do a but of research, work out a wet weather plan and go enjoy.

Can you tell I love the lakes!

Toddlerteaplease · 12/02/2020 19:13

Steam boat museum is overpriced, but if you go to Blackwell arts and crafts house. (Well worth it) you get in half price.

TheCumbrian · 12/02/2020 19:23

As far as I'm aware Storm Dennis isn't anything to be worried about, probably just fairly standard weather for the time of year in the Lakes.

Apart from some issues to the east of the county with flooding the water supply it's pretty much back to being business as usual in the touristy areas of the lakes where you are.

No reason not to take your bikes, you are going to need them if you don't have a car.

I've not heard that the trains are going to be cancelled but as long as you can get as far as Lancaster the 555 bus can take you from there through to Ambleside.

The scenery is pretty good at the moment with the snow on the hills.

CaptainMyCaptain · 12/02/2020 21:59

I've just looked at the Weather forecast for Keswick. It looks like a bit of rain but not too cold and not especially windy.

Snuffkindle · 12/02/2020 22:36

I live in Cumbria and I definitely don't think it looks like a fun place to be this weekend. The forecast is high winds again and double drops of rain Saturday and Sunday. Where is the fun in being out in that?? And if you're in a youth hostel it might not be so great indoors either.

BiscuitBean · 12/02/2020 22:45

I've just returned from a long weekend in the Lakes at the mercy of Ciara...we had a brilliant weekend. There were some slight detours on Sunday due to slight flooding in the tiny villages but everywhere else was business as usual.

I was actually relieved as we booked months ago and I had been worrying we would be snowed in which would have been much worse.

ToooRevealing · 12/02/2020 22:50

In my head, you're off for an illicit weekend with Dennis, who used to be a Gladiator.

Toddlerteaplease · 12/02/2020 22:58

Ambleside youth hostel is nice. All of the Lakeland ones are.

SushiGo · 12/02/2020 23:01

I would go, this weather alert for Dennis is yellow not amber as Ciara was. Don't take your bikes or go out on a hike, but otherwise I'm sure it will be fine.

Original poster

DataColour · 13/02/2020 12:05

We are going now, got waterproofs etc and going to make the most of it!
Thanks all for your replies.

OP posts:

CaptainMyCaptain · 13/02/2020 12:20

Have a good time OP. We are going too and so are our friends in their camper van.

Funf · 13/02/2020 12:51

Get you coat on, the locals will be carrying on as normal. It shouldn't rain inside the Cinema, pub etc, if you get wet you will dry.
This family go in all weathers, we should never miss a holiday or day out opportunity life is too short.
www.donthibernate.co.uk

Skyejuly · 13/02/2020 12:55

We are on a 12 hr drive to Scotland.

JacquesHammer · 13/02/2020 13:00

Have a back up transport plan. Trains weren’t running through various stations last Sunday and well into Monday due to flooding.

RosieLancs · 13/02/2020 13:10

We're going for a geocaching break in the Southdowns on Monday so we will miss the worst of the weather but after 2 weekends of storms and a week of rainy weather between them I'm expecting a lot of mud 😃

I think as long as you're dressed appropriately and don't go climbing places you shouldn't in trainers then you will be fine

EuroMillionsWinner · 13/02/2020 13:13

I'd go.

TheCumbrian · 15/02/2020 19:36

Did you make it in the end OP? Things are getting a bit wild out there!

CaptainMyCaptain · 16/02/2020 15:52

Keswick was a bit of a washout yesterday with horizontal rain but plenty of warm dog friendly pubs and cafes. There was a threat of flooding which, fortunately, didn't happen. It was dry and breezy this morning, lovely walking weather but we had to come home. I'd like to hear how the OP did too.

Original poster

DataColour · 20/02/2020 13:41

Well we did go and Friday and it was fine till midday and then it rained..A LOT! The DCs enjoyed themselves on the walk, but by the time we got to Grasmere (walked from Ambleside) we were soaked through and pretty fed up. Had a quick lunch in Grasmere (pretty expensive for food), we had to take a taxi back to the yha. The next day it rained all day too and just the walk from the yha to Ambleside was too much in the rain. Our "waterproofs" weren't as waterproof as we thought!
We took refuge in Armitt museum which was OK to while away the time and went to a couple of book shops.

The yha was the best part of it. The kids loved it. But all in all, it was an experience, but in hindsight, the weather was too much really.

OP posts:

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