With new brake discs attached, I set off on a spur-of-the-moment trip. The forecast was cloudy, so I decided not to try for the scenic lakes, but instead visit one of the towns I usually bypass.
I managed to get in at the Kendal Caravan Club site and was pleasantly surprised. It is build on the grounds of a gunpowder factory, and all the vans are hidden in the trees right next to the Kent river. I got there just as it turned dark, to see a chip van on site, so.... well it would be rude not to wouldn't it?
Waking up the next morning and opening my blinds to see trees and sky - my favourite bit of vanning. My heater had kept me toastie warm, and all was right with the world. (And surprisingly, it stayed that way all week-end! I know! You were expecting some disaster to strike, weren't you? I certainly was.)
Off to Abbot Hall Gallery and Museum. The gallery was showing a collection by four of the St Ives painters and it was quite busy. As it turned out, I wasn't so keen on the St Ives exhibition, even though it made the Times Hot 50. All a bit blobby and gloomy, apart from some nice orange stripy jobs.
 |
| Ruskin |
Downstairs was a fantastic exhibition of watercolours - Cotman, Ruskin, Turner, Constable.
But the best thing there was a huge triptych of
Lady Ann Clifford, who had to fight 40 years for her inheritance. I popped in to the excellent shop and did some more Christmas shopping.
The Museum of Lakeland Life was like a Tardis, packed full of artefacts from mining, agriculture, shops, the wool trade (real tenterhooks), childhood toys, clothing (including red flannel undies). A room was dedicated to Arthur Ransome who wrote the Swallows and Amazons books. He was quite a chap, ditching a wife to run off to Eastern Europe, and he eventually married Trotsky's secretary!
Lunch at the Brewery, scene of many a boozy night when I was a student, along with Tim, Parse and Ack. Warming soup, followed by another exhibition - this time Shojo (girl) manga prints. Impressive, but a bit odd.
 |
| by KEIKO TAKEMIYA |
I went on a drive up to Shap, but the weather really wasn't good, so back to the site via a farm shop. I was supposed to be having a healthy tea but ditched that plan when I saw the cheese and bread! Oh dear, another bad day for a WeightWatcher.
Sunday morning, off to Levens Hall. The garden was fantastic, Roger Dean topiary and beautiful bedding - yellow and purple, my favourites.
The house itself I found a bit dispiriting, lots of dark oak and they seem very hung up on the genealogy of the owners. Some extra artefacts related to Waterloo were more interesting, and the leather wallpaper was impressive.
Home in time for tea.
I started the weekend standing on a cold and windy clifftop listening to a samba band and watching fire jugglers as it got dark. Brilliant fun. I joined the procession down to the pavilion, which had 3 venues and the Hub, where DJs (including Dewi) played. 
I stayed on the carpark of the cricket club, eventually hemmed in by two massive vans, but at least they kept the wind off! Bit grim, not even a tap.
