BB2636 : The Seven Year Plan?

Thursday 22nd October 1961

I was reminded why farmers have sticky out ears and receding hair.

"3.6 billion," I said as we drove beside the lake towards Ambleside.

"How much? 3.6 million?" asked Tony, cupping his ears.

“No, 3.6 BILLION pounds”

I won’t repeat what he said as he thrust his hands back across his skull.

That’s the proposed cost of cleaning up Windermere (the lake, not the town) to stop the green algae caused by sewage overflows.

It wasn’t exactly the money that was on my mind.  It wasn’t even the algae that was bothering me.  After all, there are four swimming events planned for summer next year so it can’t be too dangerous.  It was how are we going to be able to reach the fells when the roads are disrupted by the seven year plan to dig the tunnel?

Fortunately there were no such obstacles today as Robert drove us round the top of the lake.  His son, Henry, had travelled through the night from Cornwall to be with us.  I call that familial dedication.

Robert wanted to check out a route promoted by the National Trust to see if it was suitable for his U3A group.  Start point was Wray Castle. 

It is an imposing mock-Gothic building in which Beatrix Potter stayed as a 16 year old on her first visit to the Lakes.  You can’t go inside at the moment but I understand it will open next year.  My recollection is of a hall that is rather magnificent.  I don’t remember the rooms to be of any great interest other than to the children who were using them for painting classes.  What was open today was its café which we decided to visit to allow the threatened rain to pass by.  A lot of other folk had the same idea.

The trail led down to and along the lake before turning upwards towards High Wray then continuing with increasing steepness to and through the woods of Waterson Intake.  Once we emerged .....

.....it was a short climb to the summit and the Latterbarrow Old Man- a square monument about 4 metres tall.

The weather was now sunny with clear views but there was a cold wind blowing and distant showers could be seen, particularly in the Coniston area. 

We managed to find partial shelter where we could have lunch.  To the south we could see the Armageddon area of BB1206. 

The recovery noted in BB2007 has continued and, from a distance, it is hard to tell what a scene of devastation it had been.

Our descent was to the west, down Loanthwaite Lane before turning north. 

Shortly after passing Hole House, it rained briefly and we saw the most intense double rainbow that I have seen in many a year.  Photos don't do it justice.

The trail continues above Blelhan Tarn.....

..... to the old Vicarage and then St Margaret’s Church, deconsecrated in 2007 and understandably not open as it is for sale as “office space and storage facility”.

A few minutes later we were back at Wray Castle.  The National Trust route instructions had been good.

Henry chose the Tap as our concluding destination.  The approach is beside the River Kent, along Aynam Road which seems to have had one lane or the other closed on and off for since Covid time and the project now seems likely to last at least another year.  This, of course, took my mind back to the proposed roadworks down the whole of the east side of Windermere and its potential effect on traffic and tourism.  A BOOTboys version of “Red Flies The Banner-O” came to mind.

I'll sing you five-o!
Slow go the road works-o!
What is your five-o?
Five for the Five-Year Plan
And Seven for the time it's taking,
Three, three, three Pints of Beer.
Two, two, the legs that toil, walking to the Tap. Ho! Ho!!
One is BOOTboys' Unity and ever more shall be so!

Don, Thursday 23^rd October 2026

PS  Good to have you with us, Henry.  Come back soon- we’re only an eight hour drive away.

Comitibus:   

                  Don,               Tony,                  Henry,                Robert

Rear views, as seen by Henry!

Relive

Robert's Relive of our adventure can be experienced by clicking on the picture below.

Tony's bonus pictures

Map:  WalkLakes

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