By the time our bus arrived outside the Three Horseshoes on Galgate prompt at 9am , excitement and anticipation were palpable, (as evidenced in this photograph).
An hour later, including additional pick-ups at Bowes, we arrived at the Ferry Pier of Pooley Bridge. It was clear the mood of the party was to take the cruise to Glenridding at the far end of the crooked finger that is Ullswater.
While waiting for the call to depart, some of our more intrepid members devised their cunning plan for aquatic activities at Glenridding.
When the call came our tickets were scanned before embarkation – must make sure only those entitled were allowed on board.
Views of the Lakeland hills from the boat were spectacular, even though the more distant ones were masked somewhat by a heat haze – it was hot! Fortunately, modern digital image processing has a ‘de-haze’ function, which reveals the hills in their de-hazed glory.
Close up, The Bonscale Pike looked even more impressive.
We shared the lake with several groups of geese (flocks doesn’t seem the right word). On hot days, what’s not to like about spending time with one’s bottom immersed in cool water?
During the early summer season (April – mid July) two sister cruise boats ply back and forth between Pooley Bridge and Glenridding; necessarily, about halfway along the lake they pass. Despite conspicuous waving from our boat, no one on the returning ferry seemed that bothered.
Another feature of Ullswater, and perhaps Lakeland as a whole, was the abundance of desirable shoreline property, in this case the Glenridding Manor house Hotel – be sure to bring your mallet for afternoon croquet.
At Glenridding our party, to a person, repaired to the cool of The Ullswater Inn for lunch and liquid refreshment.
After an exceptionally leisurely time, we caught the ferry back to Pooley Bridge where many delicious gelato ice creams were purchased – chocolate and cinder toffee (think Crunchy Bars mixed with ice cream) was especially to be recommended.
At 5pm it was all aboard the bus back to Barney. It was generally agreed that trips like this on days like that are a fine way of whiling away one’s retirement.
Pete Redgrave