Annual Ceilidh

This years ceilidh at the Castle Street Centre in Kendal with Hugh's Tumbling Tom Band was severely interrupted by the weather. 90 tickets had been sold but in the event only about half that number managed to arrive due to the snow, as it seemed as though no gritting or clearing had taken place in Kendal. To make matters worse, only 3 of the 5 band members could make it, the other 2 members succumbing to road accidents blocking the route, or living on a steep hill.

As usual, the evening attacted a good cross-section of ages, surely a good sign of the health of the club. On the right is Nicki Walsh with son Ben.

Below left shows the scene in the car park with just the two band members cars present, and below right the depleted band. From the left Fiona, Hugh, and Steve

The idea of this walk was to walk around Rydal and Grasmere starting from Rydal, but seeing the landscape through the eyes of Wordsworth. Mike and Cath Palk had the idea, and arranged for Dr Simon Bainbridge of Lancaster University to walk with us and give the Wordsworth perspective.

Right shows 17 members and friends meeting up at Rydal, with the sun just starting to show itself, after the early morning rain, on Nab Scar.

The route went through Dora's Field, over the Rothay, and on to the Rydal Caves. The day came out better than expected, and this second stop for a poetry reading was by the upper cave, looking over to Ullscarf and Sergeant Man with a scattering of snow on them

Lunch was taken on the Green at Grasmere, prior to visiting the Wordsworth graves in the church yard. Then on past Dove Cottage to the start of the coffin route - so called as it was the route that coffins were carried from Ambleside and Rydal to Grasmere graveyard, prior to them having their own.
With Sally the dog being with us, and in the middle of a slight hail shower, Simon read us a piece about Wordsworth's dog, and one advantage of it going walking with him!

And still, the creature trotted on before;
Such was his custom; but whene'er he met
A passenger approaching, he would turn
To give me timely notice, and straightway,
Grateful for that admonishment, I hushed
My voice, composed my gait, and, with the air
And mien of one whose thoughts are free, advanced
To give and take a greeting that might save
My name from piteous rumours, such as wait
On men suspected to be crazed in brain.

Along the coffin route, the sun continued to shine, and Simon read an extract from 'To Joanna' about the naming of places, and laughter resounding around the valley and fells.

When I had gaz'd perhaps two minutes' space,
Joanna, looking in my eyes, beheld
That ravishment of mine, and laugh'd aloud.
The rock, like something starting from a sleep,
Took up the Lady's voice, and laugh'd again:
That ancient Woman seated on Helm-crag
Was ready with her cavern; Hammar-Scar,
And the tall Steep of Silver-How sent forth
A noise of laughter; southern Loughrigg heard,
And Fairfield answer'd with a mountain tone:

We returned to our cars at Rydal, and finished off with tea and cake in the excellent Rydal Hall cafe. Thanks to Mike and Cath for a walk with a difference, and to Simon for helping to bring a different aspect to a well known walk.