Arthritis Care in the North East

Derwent Launch and Keswick Trip

on Saturday 18^th August 2007

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It was a bright and sunny day with clear blue skies and not a cloud in sight.

(Unfortunately that was the south of France; here in Low Fell it is drizzling with rain, damp and with total cloud cover.)
Still its time to set off.

Rest stop on the way was Houghton Hall garden centre, opened in 2006, is a large garden centre with a comprehensive plant area, the Topiary Coffee Shop, a gift shop, farm shop, models & hobbies, clothes shop, hot springs spas, outdoor eating area, children's play area, and much more. Tea and scones went down a treat.

It's back on the road for the final leg, all refreshed and ready for the off.
Why do the naughty ones always sit at the back of the class?

The Keswick Launch Company, located on the lake shore of Derwentwater near to the Lakeland market town of Keswick, the launch company offers Lake District cruises around Derwentwater throughout the year.

The launches start their journey from the Keswick boat landings and cruise around the lake stopping at seven lakeshore jetties where you may embark or join the various boats. We stayed on the boat and enjoyed the 50 minute trip around Derwentwater. We went clockwise.
We didn't go swimming as we had not brought out cosies.

With a launch all to our selves the only decision was IN or OUT, it's raining so who would choose OUT, we will all be IN as there's plenty of room for everyone.

Proof, if any were needed, that arthritis does not preclude you from being totally mad.
Somebody's umbrella is upside-down, or inside-out. Reminds me of when I used to drag my kids on mad adventures in the rain.

There's the INSIDERS and there's the OUTSIDERS. One lot are as sane as a ????? the other lot are as mad as a hatter.

There is our launch. Back on dry land? (No, its still raining.)

This is what it should have looked like!

Keswick, the name of that derives from Old English for a cheese farm, and is pronounced "Kezzick". Keswick is one of the most popular resorts in the Lake District. Although the town has old roots, it expanded rapidly as a tourist centre after the railway was built in 1865. The railway was closed in the 1970's and replaced by an upgraded A66 which bypasses the town to the North. In the 16th century, Keswick was a prosperous mining centre as the lead, copper and silver resources of the hills were extracted. Charcoal was obtained from the forests surrounding the town.
The remains of many charcoal pits can be found today in Borrowdale's woods. Peat was available from the fells to fuel the furnaces at Keswick. Mining was in part by German Miners. Graphite was also mined and so began the Keswick pencil industry, which continues today, but is due to close soon. The pencil factory is open to the public - www.pencils.co.uk

Going home and reflecting on a good day out had by all.

Just in case anyone was wondering why some of the photos
look brighter than they remember that day being, here is a
before and after of what you can do with a computer these days.