FLETCHER'S JOTTINGS FROM
ARMATHWAITE HALL HOTEL, BASSENTHWAITE, LAKE DISTRICT
1st - 4th
DECEMBER 2009
On Uncle
Brian and Dad's first visit to Armathwaite Hall, I was adopted
and went to live in Morecambe, with all my other Hug pals. So
when they made a return visit I of course went along, with a few
friends too, and it was nice to be going as a proper guest this
time.
Over the
period of the stay the weather was not very good, so we did not
stray far from the hotel. Uncle Brian and Dad went to Keswick on
Wednesday for lunch and shopping, but stayed in on Thursday as it
rained hard for most of the day. Still we had all gone for a rest,
so it was nice just to enjoy the quiet and comforts. Dad and
Uncle Brian relished the superb six course dinners, and Wednesday
nights was particularly good, the dishes full of intense complex
flavours throughout. When we arrived on Tuesday, I went
with Dad to check in, and we were offered a complimentary glass
of sherry, which I enjoyed in our room.
Dad had asked
for the same room, as it has a wonderful view of Bassenthwaite
Lake and the fells. My pals and I immediately took over the sofa,
but like the last visit some of my pals decided to sit looking
out at the view.
They are from
left Ralph, Freedom and Craig. Freedom was adopted by Dad from
Virginia, USA.
Uncle Brian
was quite content to relax with us, but not Dad, so we sent him
off to do the nature trail walk. Taking the path to the
left Dad crossed the bridge over the road. He had to duck
down, to get under the tree that had fallen across it, in the
recent high winds. The path then led down to Bassenthwaite Lake. Following
the recent terrible rains, the level had risen considerably, and
the tiny "beach", out beyond the treeline, where Dad
had stood last time to take the view, was now well under water.
Going right
the path led along the top of the lake. It was very muddy
but Dad was undaunted and ploughed on (mind you his shoes took
some cleaning afterwards!), and eventually reached the road near
the bridge over the River Derwent, just beyond its outfall from
the lake.
The bridge
was almost submerged in the floods, and has now had to be closed
as it is in risk of collapse. This is causing inconvenience
to local people, making a 10 minute journey now some 45 minutes.
Lets hope it gets sorted out soon. Walking through the Herdwick
Caravan Site, the ongoing track then soon brought Dad back to the
hotel. Away to the right was this fine view of Skiddaw,
clothed in snow. Quite different to when STAG climbed it in
September.
Dad was lucky
to see this view, as ever after during our stay, Skiddaw was
covered in a blanket of cloud. The picture below was taken on the
next day, Wednesday, on return from their visit to nearby Keswick.
Dad did some
shopping buying a new woollen sweater, then they both went to
have a lunchtime snack at Bryson's. They said the carrot
and ginger soup was absolutely delicious. The town is
decorated for Christmas, although being daylight they could not
be appreciated fully. Dad however liked the depiction of a
climber, on the wall of the Moot Hall.
Keswick is
the busiest tourist destination in the North Lakes being thronged
in the summer. On this wintry day though the main street was
almost deserted.
The hotel is
decorated for Christmas, so I asked Dad to take some pictures. As
we approached the car park we spotted these reindeer.
There were
trees and garlands outside the main entrance with a further tree
and figures inside.
Going inside,
here is the hall with its comfortable chairs and sofas, and the
stairs leading to the bedrooms.
To the left of where
Dad is standing, is the doorway to the luxurious and beautifully
appointed lounge. Here looking towards the door. I sneaked up
onto the piano to be in the shot.
On a fine circular
table, stands the largest wine glass Dad and Uncle Brian had ever
seen. They thought it would be very difficult to lift if full of
wine. At this time is was enhanced with beautiful festive
decorations.
And finally in here is
this tall Christmas tree, laden with decorations and lights.
Dad loved the
magnificent original oil painting. It is a depiction of
Derwentwater and the fells looking to Castle Crag that stands in
the so called Jaws of Borrowdale. This is just one of many
paintings and many items of old and interesting furniture. The
Hall as it stands today was built by Thomas Hartley in 1881. We
thought it was likely that these were the original furnishings
and have been passed on as the Hall has changed ownership.
Dad always
takes a Holiday Hug group picture, and with Thursday forecast to
be wet, he decided to do this when they returned from Keswick.
First though he took some photos of me on location inside to show
off some of the interesting furnishings. Here sitting on
one of a set of small chairs.
Then by the
huge gong that stands halfway up the stairs. From the carved
figures it is obviously of Oriental origin.
Then we all
trooped out for our group shot, taken on the steps down to the
extensive lawns that our room overlooked.
back row -
Craig, Fred, Gladly, Ralph front row -
Elmer, Staveley, Fletcher, Freedom
Well that is
nearly the end, and indeed when Friday arrived, it was time to
return home. As Uncle Brian opened the heavy curtains that
morning, we were all surprised to see that there had been a heavy
frost overnight and the lawns were white. The lake too, looked
silver in the early morning light. I had to include this
atmospheric picture that Dad took.