Another family gathering of the G clan saw The SW members, driving up to Southport for an 80th birthday bash for me good ma. After a great evening and a late breakfast on Sunday morning, we shook hands and exchanged hugs with the Northern clans, before heading up to the Lakes for a few days.
After a quick stop for late lunch at MrGs residence of choice for the weekend near Windermere, The Damson Dene Hotel, we headed for one of our favourite spots, Tarn Hows. Those Victorians sure new how to tweak the Natural world for a view.
- Zed and Mx5 at Tarn Hows
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We chose to photograph the cars instead The kids had driven up in Edd's little Mx5, with us old folks in the Zed. Edd took this opportunity to hand over his keys to MrsG and jumped in the Zed, ready for our boys own adventure to Skafell Pike.
Having waved off the girls towards their luxury spa and warm swimming pool, we continued West to Wrynose Pass.
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Then as the light started to fade we arrived at our own lodging for the next few nights, Burnthwiate Farm, at the very head of Wastwater.
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Next morning the adventure move up a notch, quite literally, as we set off towards very leaden looking sky's and a list of gullies to be climbed and summits to be conquered.
A look from afar at Skews Gylle and the first was quickly dismissed as a really daft idea. Looking, as it did, more like a full on water fall, than a climbing route, after the nights rain. So we pushed on around it to our second challenge of the day, Custs Gully.
Edd led the damp scramble up and belayed his old man up the two slightly tricky bits, on a nice safe climbing rope.
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The view up the gully.
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From the top of the gully we emerged onto Great End in pea soup fog. Then after navigating I'll Crag and Broad Crag we arrived at the top of England on Scafell Pike itself.
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After redirecting a couple lost in the fog with no GPS or compass, we headed over to Simonds Knott and Scafell, before decending to the pub at Wasdale head for supper.
What a difference a day makes.
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Next morning with the sun now cracking the flags we were back in the Zed and squeezing past the dozens of intrepid explorers heading into the valley as we departed.
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Not a bad view.
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Then it was good by Wastwater and back through Hardknott and Wrynose passes to meet up with the girls again and head South to the peak district. Rather than suffer the torture of the M6 we headed east South of Manchester, to Lyme Park, so MrsG could see first hand where Collin Firth emerged as Mr Darcey, from that blooming lake.
An way any excuse for one more shot of the Zed.
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From Lyme Park we took the scenic route via Buxton and the A515, to Birmingham and as the light faded once more, on to the M5 and home ward to Cornwall.
What a great extended weekend with the family and our cars.
