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  • Keswick – George Hotel

    Keswick – George Hotel

    [I originally posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix some broken image links. I can’t remember why I didn’t take a photo of the food….]

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    The location for this evening’s meal was the George Hotel in Keswick.

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    The pub’s menu was quite large, indeed probably too large for them to cope with, but the idea of the George Gigantic Pies was a rather good one. Unfortunately none of our group went for this option to take a photo of it, but looking at pictures on-line, it looks pretty impressive.

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    Getting ready for the meal. One of the highlights of the evening, other than the rather unusually intellectual chat, was how Dave managed to introduce himself to nearly everyone in the pub. All that sociability would give me a headache, but Dave absolutely loves it.

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    The pub is one of the most historic in the town.

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    The inside of the pub was atmospheric and just a little dark, which suited the building’s historic nature.

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    The Sneck Lifter, from the local Jenning’s Brewery (who also operate the pub) tasted well-kept and was of a good quality. It has a slight chocolately taste and it’s got a strong taste, although it does have an ABV of just over 5%.

    I had the fish and chips, which was reasonably priced given the location and the popularity of the pub. It was well presented, but the batter lacked any depth of taste, the mushy peas were generic and the chips were average. And there was no tartare sauce, or indeed black pepper, to try and add some flavour to the meal. But, I spend enough time writing about food, so I won’t drone on further. And I sound like Bev if I keep on with this criticising 🙂

    The pub environment was though really pleasant and the 1665 building has numerous little interesting areas. There was rooms to let, although I wonder if they’re haunted…

  • Lake District Week – Keswick Greggs

    Lake District Week – Keswick Greggs

    [I originally posted this in September 2018, but I’ve reposted it to fix some broken image links]

    We’re climbing (well, walking up) Scafell Pike today, so I had a long think about where I could get the healthy and nutritious food I’d need to support such a walk. And then I thought of the place.

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    Greggs. I haven’t been for ages (since Saturday) so this will be a little treat.

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    They have a limited selection of baked goods in the morning, but they had a chicken bake, so all is well with the world (unfortunately that isn’t really true, but all is well with the geo-political situation in Keswick today).

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    Cakes galore. The service was friendly, as I’d expect from Greggs, and it was surprisingly busy at before 08:00 in the morning (they’d opened at 06:30).

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    A chicken pasta salad and a chicken bake for later, I’m now looking forwards to walking up this big hill.

  • Lake District Week – Ennerdale YHA

    Lake District Week – Ennerdale YHA

    [I originally posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix some broken image links]

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    We weren’t staying at Ennerdale YHA, but there was some tempting signage which meant that we did have a little afternoon stop there. And it reminded me of the plan I’ve had for some time of hiring an entire youth hostel for a weekend on behalf of the Ramblers, especially since I’m a life member of the YHA.

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    There were rather pleasant views of the river valley from the youth hostel’s main lounge area, with Steve taking the best seat. But, this was more than allowable as he shared his Haribo with us. And very lovely Haribo it was too.

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    Dave taking charge with the menu options, and he then prepared us the hot drinks himself. He’s very domesticated. We stayed in the youth hostel for around 40 minutes, and it did mean we were able to pretty much dry off after the morning’s rain.

    Gordon also regaled the group with humorous tales from his life, with our favourites being about his hotel room and his steak in Budapest. He’s a born raconteur.

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    Outside the youth hostel was this vicious bull. However, I was very quiet and sneaked by it, so all was well.

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    Someone came into the youth hostel with a lovely border collie type dog, but unfortunately it kept moving too fast to take a photo of it which wasn’t blurred.

  • Lake District Week – Bulls in Field

    Lake District Week – Bulls in Field

    [I originally posted this in September 2018, but I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links]

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    So there we were earlier, happily walking around a lake and then we find this. A rampaging bull charging towards us, risking our lives. I admit, it wasn’t actually a bull, but it was the same sort of size. And it wasn’t rampaging, although it could have done. And it wasn’t charging, but, it looked angry.

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    I rushed off and just left people behind. I’m brave, but not stupid… I’m not letting these huge wild animals threaten me if I can avoid it…

  • Wrocław – National Museum in Wrocław (Locksmiths’ Guild Sign from 1750)

    Wrocław – National Museum in Wrocław (Locksmiths’ Guild Sign from 1750)

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    This rather ornate shield is the sign of the locksmiths’ guild in Wrocław, dating back to something around 1750. It’s a hefty wooden piece which is divided neatly into compartments, each one proudly displaying the tools of the trade, namely keys, locks, hinges and other hardware that you’d hope a locksmith of the eighteenth century would know what to do with.

    Guilds were serious business in Wrocław (or Breslau as it was then) and they weren’t just trade associations, but social and political powerhouses. Signs like this were part branding, part authority, telling the world that this was a guild with standards and that they weren’t going to tolerate any sub-optimal locksmithing in their city. It’s functional and decorative, a former marker of belonging,

  • Lake District Week – How the Other Half Live

    Lake District Week – How the Other Half Live

    [I posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image link]

    I’m just waiting for the photos from today’s walk to upload, so in the mean-time I just wanted to note Gordon’s accommodation. He’s paying the most out of any of us, but as he noted this evening, “I’ve been diddled”.

    For some reason he has some protective covering on his single bed (the fact that it is a single bed has not pleased him) which meant that he didn’t get much sleep last night because of the heat. Or, to be precise, absolutely no sleep at all. He did though snatch a few minutes sleep in the car on the way to the walk, so he did get some rest for today’s walk.

    Gordon also planned ahead and acquired a sandwich container to put his sandwiches in. Just a slight problem that his hotel has refused to make him any.

    But, he has been very brave about the whole day. Despite his lack of sleep, he powered on like a trojan, letting nothing get him down. Other than the rain and the walk itself. And he now has earplugs, so I’m confident that he’ll get a good night’s sleep tonight.

    I’m writing this from my room with a lovely double bed, quiet environment and temperature control. But, as people who know me will admit, I’m the last person to comment on such things. But I’m eagerly awaiting news tomorrow morning of how he gets on tonight…..

  • Lake District Week – Keswick Market Square

    Lake District Week – Keswick Market Square

    [I originally posted this in September 2018, but I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image link]

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    This is at the entrance to Keswick Market Square, how lovely.

  • Lake District Week – The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas (Keswick Wetherspoons)

    Lake District Week – The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas (Keswick Wetherspoons)

    [I originally posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

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    Last time I was in Keswick, this Wetherspoons was just about to open. Indeed it opened the day after we left, which wasn’t the greatest timing…. But the building is of historic interest itself, a primarily Victorian court-room (well, 1901, but near enough) and police station, with attached cells. The judicial complex of buildings was built on the site of the town’s former workhouse, so it’s had a rather miserable existence in many ways. It’s now a substantial pub and it presented an ideal place for us to visit on our first night in Keswick.

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    Initially it was just Steve and I at the pub. There’s a back story to that, but it involves Gordon and Maggie saying they were in Wetherspoons and then not actually being in Wetherspoons, they were standing outside Steve’s accommodation. So, since it was just Steve and I, I thought I’d buy a round. But just in time, and much to my irritation, Gordon and Maggie turn up at the bar, hence making my round more expensive. But I didn’t complain. Well, not audibly. Anyway, I digress….

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    Steve and Gordon doing some head shots in one of the former cells.

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    The former cell, and we had someone turn up later on who said that he spent a night in the cell in the early 1980s. I’m not sure that he was joking….

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    This reminded us of someone….

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    Now, this was good, a nice rich flavour.

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    Sarah, Steve M and Dave were arriving a bit later on, and I absolutely insisted that we wait until they got there until we ordered food. But Dave said we should order. So I did. But I only had a little starter, as I’m not greedy.

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    The former court room.

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    How lovely.

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    Gordon ordered the most expensive thing on the menu….

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    The door to our little cell….

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    The group altogether! And there was a wave of gossip when Steve M, Dave and Sarah arrived. I must admit, their car journey sounds extreme, they were talking about all manner of subjects that I can’t possibly repeat on this blog…..

    I was keen to visit this pub given the building’s history, and the potential to take photos of the cell, but I think we’ll try the other local pubs and restaurants for the rest of the week.

  • Lake District Week – Greggs (Rivington Services M61)

    Lake District Week – Greggs (Rivington Services M61)

    [I originally posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix some broken image links]

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    Gordon said that he had never been to a Greggs, so I felt that it was only fair that we should go to one for him. I can take or leave Greggs (usually take to be fair……) but I couldn’t see anyone disappointed. So we felt that Rivington Services was the time that Gordon should experience some fine dining.

    We were also delighted to see that Dave’s car (I’ll call it that even though it’s Sarah driving I think) has also stopped at a Greggs. This just shows what a wonderful choice it is.

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    Gordon was thrilled and delighted at his first Greggs experience, and he wouldn’t stop talking about it. He was delighted with his sandwich, and I’m confident he’ll be a regular there.

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    A chicken bake and a pumpkin spiced latte, how very lovely.

    We’re about 90 minutes away now from Keswick, so just one more hop to our destination. And we’ve been able to pick up some maps of Keswick from the services so that’s nicely whetted our appetite. When I say we, I mean me.

  • Lake District Week – The Friendly Farmer

    Lake District Week – The Friendly Farmer

    [I originally posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix some broken image links]

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    The blog this morning started well, I was so engrossed with posting my first little piece of drivel that I didn’t realise that Steve and Gordon were outside in the car waiting for me. But, anyway, all is well, and we’re now off on our hill adventure in the Lakes.

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    The first stop en route wasn’t to a Greggs, as we fancied something a little unhealthy as a treat instead. So we went to the Friendly Farmer near Newark, something Richard has been in I think, which I’ve passed on numerous occasions.

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    The interior isn’t quite what I expected from the exterior, there was a combination of a modern design but with some slightly old fashioned counter layouts. The food wasn’t particularly well displayed, and there were no chicken bakes, which to me seemed a ridiculous omission for these modern times.

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    Anyway, the service was friendly and efficient, and Gordon bought some plum bread as he’s quite middle class. Steve went for a sausage roll, but I want to save myself in case we go to another bakers later on in the day…. So I sat with my latte, which, to be honest, was hotter than the centre of the sun. It needed rather a lot of sugar to be drinkable, but it was reasonably priced and it came with a little biscuit.

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    For those who wanted hot food, there was an interesting selection. There’s also a little shop in the Friendly Farmer, and I was tempted to buy Bev another present, but I think I’ve already spent enough so I decided against it. But, it’s the thought that counts, and I thought about it.

    So, we’re now back on the road driving (by we, I mean Steve) ready for our next stop!