I met my friend Sue at Euston Station at 12.30 and we eventually boarded our train at 13.20. It left on time, and although we had reserved seats we were not together, so I eventually moved to a seat next to Sue. Wearrived on time at Oxenholme and took a taxi to our hotel, The Windemere Manor Hotel. There we had some fun and games for half an hour or so. Sue had a good room but my room had not been cleaned, so back down stairs. Second room had nothing in except a bed. No shelves, no cupboards, no table, just a bed and four walls. So back down again. We then sat and had some coffee and the receptionist offered us a glass of bubbles while we waited. Eventually I got a room with a bed, cupboards, a desk, coffee-making facilities and a bathroom with a bath. Phew! Dinner was OK, but many things on the menu were not available. So after sinking a bottle over dinner we retired to bed!
At 9.15 on Wednesday morning we took a taxi into Windermere and half an hour later we met up with Jim, our ‘Mountain Goat’ guide for the day. We eventually got everyone on board our mini-bus – 12 in all – a full bus load. Thankfully a good lot of passengers who all behaved impeccably all day! During the eight hour day Jim took us around ten Lakes. We stopped for some excellent views/photo opportunities, as well as loo and food stops! We had very good weather most of the day and had some stunning views of the lakes and the autumnal trees. We also called into Keswick and Grassmere and stopped at the Castlerigg Stone Circle.
At 5.30 we were dropped at the drive to our hotel after a really good
day. In the evening we had plenty of drinks and some dinner in the hotel. The service/food/drink not brilliant, but a very nice ‘manager’ for the evening came and apologised and told us the evening was on the hotel.
On Thursday morning we taxied back to Oxenholme at 10.30 and caught the 11.26 train, getting into Euston just after 2pm. I arrived home around 3pm. An excellent few of days.
