Keswick, Whinlatter and the Honister Passes.

It was while watching the Tour of Britain and particularly the Whinlatter Pass stages 5 and 6, that a germ of an idea began to form in my mind, not as a budding cyclist (my wife and I only watch for the scenery!) but as a possible drive in 'Nellie'.

It also offered the chance to get away for a couple of days and use a further dollop of the childrens' inheritance!

Our 5 star accommodation

With accommodation organised in a rather nice 5 star B&B in Keswick, my plan was to travel to the village of Braithwaite, just outside Keswick, drive through the Whinlatter Forest and Pass to Lorton and then drive to Loweswater, Crummock Water and Buttermere, up the Honister Pass and then down into Borrowdale and thence back to our lodgings.

First we visited two old friends who were caravanning at Pooley Bridge, Ullswater, had lunch with them and then checked in to our lovely hotel for our first night.

Ullswater in the background

Morning dawned and after a substantial breakfast we headed for Braithwaite where we found signs suggesting that the road was closed and there was a detour in operation! The best laid plans and all that!

Keswick Market Place.

Anyway, just outside Cockermouth !!!!!!! I realised that some oaf from Cumbria County Council had not removed the signs from the Tour of Britain event and the oaf driving the Morgan only twigged what was happening until it was far too late, necessitating a swift change of plans that meant us approaching the Forest from Lorton, having a quick reconnoitre and then turning around and continuing with the original plan.

Heading towards the Whinlatter Forest

The relationship within the narrow confines of our conveyance was somewhat strained to say the least!

En route to Loweswater

Thankfully the weather stayed dry apart from the odd drizzly bit so we were able to travel top down and the glories of our surroundings soon made up for the initial hiccup.

Crummock Water

Buttermere with Fleetwith Pike in the distance.

It had been some 50 odd years since my wife and I had visited Crummock and Buttermere in my first car, a 1936 Morris 10/4 fixed head coupe (now an exhibit in the Lakeland Motor Museum), so it was good to return after a long absence and enjoy once again the majestic scenery, albeit with much of it shrouded in cloud and mist.

Approaching Honister Pass

Posing again!....

.....Well at my age you are considered invisible, so the only way that I can get any semblance of interest now is to get out in the Morgan!

The Wyre Estuary Country Park, not exactly reminiscent of the Costas especially with the tide out!

Having said that, up 'ere in deepest Lancashire the vast majority of the population haven't a clue what sort of car I am driving, at best probably regarding it as some type of kit car.

However, there are a number of more sophisticated, well read individuals, like me, who do appreciate it and shout, 'ooh it's luvely, I bet they're not building those anymore'.....to which I reply ad nauseam my well rehearsed response. It's a 2008 4/4 (4 wheels,4cylinders), the longest running production model in the UK, built in Gt Malvern etc.,etc.,etc.,etc!

Although when the car does get some attention I thoroughly enjoy it and it does enrich the driving experience.

Today, nothing happened at all and I put it down to the fact that it was a bit cloudy, keeping most residents indoors and particularly where I was, it seemed that most of the people were giving more attention to their pooches, totally ignoring the fabulous car and driver pootling passed them!

Almost home!

Ah well!