Bowness on Windermere
As we are keen motorcyclists and the weather was good we decided that we would travel by motorbike, I sit on the back and the views I got were fantastic as we travelled. We enjoyed a lovely ride across the moors. At the very top the views were so clear you could make out the east coast some 50 or 60 miles away. We arrived for lunch in Holmfirth where for many years the TV series ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ was filmed.
We arrived at the Rum Doodle around 5pm. Upon arrival our host Gregor, directed us to the reserved parking space which would be ours in the car park for the duration of our stay. To make space for us he had put his own car on the road which was a very welcomed gesture. We were shown to our room which had only just been re-decorated. It was big and airy. As we were in the eaves of the roof we had 2 velux windows on either roof pitch which allowed a pleasant draft as motorcycling can at times during the summer get very hot! Our room had a roll top bath in the corner of the room with a wash basin and toilet in a separate room.
We awoke bright and early the following morning for our breakfast which was perfect. Upon setting out my husband informed me that it would be a day of 4 mountain passes. First was the Kirkstone which passed without event, then the Winlatter pass, where we stopped for a coffee break. This is a Forestry Commission site and great for bird watchers.
We then got back on the road and after about an hour or so riding through the very different scenery of West Cumbria – including the Sellafield Nuclear sit, we reached the Hardnott pass that my Husband had always wanted to experience.
To say that I was scared would be an understatement! We started our ascent through a small wood, through which the road became increasingly narrow and windy. Corner after corner came and went and most of which could only be done at no more than 5 to 10 miles per hour. With the weight of a pillion and a bike on a road surface that was marginally better than a cobbled road, was no easy feat. Once we had reached the summit, the equally difficult decent greeted us. The final pass of the day was over the Wrynose pass a few miles later which in comparison to the Hardnott was a lot easier.
We arrived at our guest house during the middle of the afternoon and decided to go down to the town for a few afternoon drinks and an early evening meal. As the sun was out and it was quite warm went to one of the pubs we had discovered the previous evening. It has a fantastic beer garden so was ideal for such a lovely evening.
For our evening meal we ate at Hyltons where you’ll find lovely traditional food. Afterwards, we enjoyed a walk along the lake edge. We found this quite tiring after our day so we took the sensible option of returning to our room for a cup of tea and a soak in the roll top bath - bliss!
The following morning we awoke to grey skies and once we had enjoyed our breakfast and said our goodbyes to Gregor and all at Dum Doodle (including the “snag list” he had asked us to keep which was very short as everything was absolutely perfect) the heavens opened and it continued all the way to Kirkby Lonsdale. If the weather had been kinder we would have really liked to have re-visited this very nice market town for a look around the shops.
We made good progress on our homeward journey, re-tracing our steps back to Skipton and then heading east to Harrogate where we stopped for tea – sadly not at Betties as the queue as ever was long! I’d love to chat to you about my trip and share all my top tips so just get in touch.