CLUB TOUR TO THE LAKE DISTRICT
On 3rd September the tourists set off on their long awaited trip to the Lake Distict. It was a smooth jouney on our Moreton's Executive Coach, equipped with on board wi-f, and after a lunch break and comfort stops we were, soon after 5pm, in our home for the next week - the Skiddaw Hotel. Situated on the main street in Keswick it has a conservatory, ideal for people watching and this proved a popular meeting place throughout the holiday.
Sunday saw most people up bright and early and after breakfast it was leisure time around Keswick. The attraction of the shops was too great for some but others made the short stroll to Derwentwater through the beautiful Crow Park with a few venturing on to Friars Crag with its stunning views along the lake. Around noon we boarded the coach for what should have been a short trip to Caldbeck but we became lost around Cockermouth with our driver John patiently ignoring the back seat drivers with their mobile phone maps. No doubt an occasion when he regretted the coach having a satellite wi fi connection! Still by the time we arrived at Caldbeck a village high on the Fells we had experienced some wonderful views but most tourists were amazed to find a green there let alone a club with 50 members. The village is famed for its connection with the huntsman John Peel, whose grave in the churchyard. The locals were extremely friendly and there was a good deal of banter throughout the afternoon but they gave us a bowling lesson with Oakley managing only two winning rinks. The hospitality had to be experienced to be believed - wonderful scones with lemon curd or Cumbrian rum butter as well as scrumptious home baked biscuits.
Monday did not go to plan. Mary had planned for a drive over the Kirkstone Pass to Windermere followed by a boat trip to Ambleside and then a leisurely trip back via Grasmere but no one at Cumbria County Council had thought to tell the Tour of Britain cycle race organisers that they should plan their route so as not to inconvenience Oakley BC. Plan Z had to be used and to avoid the closures we travelled to Ambleside using the main road and then to Bowness where we caught a boat to Lakeside. From there we had to journey back to Keswick on the motorway For most of the day it rained so we would probably not have seen much over the Kirkstone Pass but nonetheless it was disappointing for those on their first visit to the Lakes that their day was curtailed.
Tuesday saw the party split up. 18 members went off to Appleby in Westmoreland where they marvelled at the work that had been done to restore the green and pavilion following Storm Desmond. For both teams this was something of a first. Most Oakley players had never played off groundsheets and Appleby do not play Two Wood Triples. The game was close, again we came second, but we left having had an enjoyable afternoon with friendly hosts. With only 18 tourists going to Appleby the rest had additional time to explore. Some walked round Derwentwater or took the launch. Others caught the local bus up the Honister Park past Buttermere and Crumock Water. Whatever they did, all enjoyed themselve
Wednesday saw the tour heading for Carlisle, where members spent the morning browsing the city centre with some visiting Carlisle's new museum and others the Castle and Cathedral. After lunch we made our way to Courtfield Bowling Club, where we were greeted by old friend Margaret Docherty. It was unusually a warm day and we had a warm welcome on the green. Friendly as the Coutfield bowlers (and their ringers from Subscription) were they took no prisoners and we failed to win on a single rink with the President's rink skipped by the Secretary getting a bowling lesson. Again the hospitality was excellent with scones and fruit bread after the game and we made the short journey back to Keswick in good spirits even though the weather forecast for Thursday had changed to rain.
No wonder Cumbria is green and has so many lakes. Thursday was driver John's compulsory day off and it had been planned that the tourists would spend the morning wandering around the market before going to Fitz Park to play on the best green in Cumbria. Another plan went wrong. It rained all morning though some brave souls went shopping and then at around 12.30 Mary had the disappointing task of informing us that as the rain was still falling out of the sky and the green had puddles on it the match had been cancelled. We did, however, have the consolation of meeting up and reminiscing with Jan Foster and Dave Huyton who had travelled up from their new home in Lancashire to meet up with us
The rain continued overnight and we woke on Friday morning to find the skies overcast but it was dry - just. Sadly the forecast for the afternoon was for heavy rain and late morning, following conversations with Croft Bowling Club, whose green had been under water the previous day it was decided to cancel the game. No one wanted to be drying out water proofs on the evening before we travelled home. John, our driver, did, however, take us on a short mystery tour up the Whinlatter Pass and by the time we arrived back at the Skiddaw the rain had begun. The decision to call off the game proved a good one as it poured all afternoon and evening. The Farewell Dinner, where we were joined by Cumbria Secretary Margaret Docherty and husband, was as usual a great success. "Tour Virgin" Chris Williams gave a splendid vote of thanks to President Mary for all the work that had gone into organising such an enjoyable week and on behalf of all tourists presented her with a framed picture of Skiddaw with Keswick in the foreground. Replying Mary paid tribute to all who had helped her and presented the prestigious Black Mark trophy to Linda Smith (Black marks raised almost £300 for the Hospice), the Wooden Spoon to Hazel Solomon and the Tour Trophy to Peter Bown
Saturday came too soon and by 9.15 we had set off on the long trip home. The early part of the journey was in good weather but it was raining by the time we stopped for lunch at the Spread Eagle. From there it was one more comfort break before we were back home after a tour where we had an excellent coach and driver, a well located hotel with comfortable rooms and good food and friendly and hospitable hosts . Admittedly the weather might have been better but on arrival home the general view was that the tour was highly enjoyable and we now look forward to Devon in 2017.
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Oakley Bowling Club, Malshanger, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG23 7EY