Preamble
Polly and I were having a mug of tea. "It won't be long before the holiday to Armathwaite Hall", said Polly
"No love. We will have to decide who is coming with us."
"We were wondering the same", said Fred as he strolled in with his brother Gladly, having overheard Fletcher's remark.
"Tea?" asked Polly.
"Oh yes please". replied Gladly.
Polly filled the mugs and passed them over.
Taking a sip Fred said, "lovely, although not the Ramblears blend."
"No", replied Polly. "Stocks are getting a bit low, so it is Ringtons Gold. Dad plans to stock up on the Ramblears tea during the holiday."
"That will mean a trip to Cockermouth. I wonder if he will be able to resist adopting another Charlie Bear from Fagans?", replied Gladly.
"Doubtful", I replied laughing. "Any will power seems to desert him on entering the shop."
Allen trotted in. "Ooh tea. Can I have a mug please."
"Of course tea belly", laughed Polly.
"We wondered if you would like some cake? Little Eric and Grizzly have made chocolate caramel shortbread and Chorley cakes."
"Oh yes please", I enthused.
We all tucked in, Fred saying, "they are both quite scrumptious. How lucky we are to have such ace bakers."
"I know" cheered Allen.
"Well you and Southey are the such tea bellies and cake stuffers", replied Gladly letting out a bellow of laughter.
"I have also come to say that having discussed it with Dad, it has been decided that we are to repeat the walk round Buttermere. It is perhaps our favourite, and not too far for Dad to walk."
"Right then you are formally invited as our guests", I replied.
"So who else?", asked Fred.
"You two of course", replied Polly. "And I was thinking of inviting Beatrice and Benedick and Godfrey."
I added, "also Finley, Kodi and Brian Gavin. They have not been before and I would not be surprised if they wanted to explore the grounds."
"Good", stated Fred. "So that's all settled. Roll on next Sunday."
Sunday
Shepherding our guests, Polly got us all in the car ready for the journey. We set off soon after lunch and arrived around 15:00.
As usual I went in with Dad to check in with Leah. There is a new system where payment has to be made in advance. So leaving me on the counter where I said my hellos to the Leah, he went to the car for his card. Only then to find there was not enough funds in the account. So another trip to the car for his iPad to move some money! We all had a good laugh about this, Fred saying, "I can imagine my Dad laughing too. For sure he would have had some wry comment to make."
We bagged the chairs, Gladly saying, "all I want to do is rest after the journey."
"Absolutely", agreed Fred.
Meanwhile Finley called out, "just look at that magnificent view."
"Wow", called out Kodi and Brian Gavin.
We sat just looking out of the window, Finley saying to our intrepid walking group, "have you really climbed all the hills we can see?"
"Yes", replied Tetley. "Of those in the distance, the pointed summit is Catbells that rises to the left to Maiden Moor. Nearer the bare fell to the right is Lord's Seat with behind Barf. On the left we can see Dodd."
"We have had so many amazing adventures over the years, thanks to Dad", said Grizzly. "His determination got us to all the summits here in the Lake District. Then there was the exploration of the Howgill Fells in the company of Uncle Eric on many of the walks. And of course we must not forget Uncle Bob. Dad and he finished the Wainwright Fells together and then with Uncle Bob for company we climbed so many of the Yorkshire Dales fells."
"Wow you have certainly had a very interesting life", responded Brian Gavin.
Allen went on, "the lake is Bassenthwaite, and is the only lake in the Lake District."
"How come?", queried Kodi. "When I looked at the map there were lots more lakes."
"True", replied Allen, "but they are all Meres and Waters. For example Thirlmere, Windermere, Derwent Water and Crummock Water."
"Trick question in a quiz", laughed Brian Gavin.
"I'm going to the Brasserie for dinner tonight", announced Dad. "Does any of you want to come along?"
"Yes please", called out Beatrice, "with my brother of course."
Dad was greeted by Alvin, and Guru. Somehow Alvin knew he would be bringing bears, turning a chair round from the next table for them to sit on by me.
l-r Beatrice & Benedick
Alvin said, "the chef is coming to see you."
Which he did shortly, saying, "hi Gerry, good to see you.”
Some chat followed. How nice!
The food was excellent, and Dad finished off with apple and blackberry crumble tart with vanilla custard. "It was scrumptious", he told us later.
Monday
Dad had resolved to walk today, taking our intrepid pals, Shaun, Tetley, Grizzly, Allen, Little Eric and Southey. It was to be a repeat walk round beautiful Buttermere. This adventure is told elsewhere and can be viewed by clicking the link. As a taster here are a couple of pictures.
And of course STAG...
l-r Southey, Tetley, Little Eric, Shaun, Allen and Grizzly
Tuesday
After breakfast, Dad stated, "I'm going to try and get some pictures of the Herdwick sheep grazing in the field at the end of the lawns."
Some of us watched Dad through the window, as he paced about lining up the camera. As he came into the room Fred said, "how did it go?".
"Hopeless", grumped Dad. "They just kept eating and totally ignored me."
"Just how I like it when we are on the walks", laughed Allen, who does not like sheep pictures in the stories.
"Anyway", went on Dad. "Brian Gavin, Finley Kodi would you like to come and explore the grounds."
"Ooh yes" enthused Finley. "Come on pals it will be fun."
So we scampered down the stairs and out through the automatic doors, Kodi halting out exit by commenting, "that's a lovely big chair, just the place to sit for our first picture."
l-r Finley, Kodi and Brian Gavin
We ran across the car park, taking care to look for any cars moving. "Those flowers are pretty" pointed Brian. "What are the called?"
"Primulas" replied Dad.
"Will you take our picture by them please Dad."
Wandering down the side of the hotel we then walked along the terrace. "More beautiful flowers", pointed Finley. "So colourful."
"Let's have a bit of fun" called out Brian. "We can get on top of the balustrade and slide down."
"Weee" cried Finley on his turn.
Then we sat together...
...looking at that wonderful view to Bassenthwaite Lake.
"It is not so clear today, but we can still see Catbells, the pointed summit over the tree." remarked Finley.
Continuing along the terrace Dad told us, "when I first came to stay these rooms had not long been built. As you can see they have been extended on the ground level into suites.
"Where now, Dad?", asked Kodi.
"Across the lawns and into the woods."
"Ooh it's lovely", said Brian as we strolled along.
There was an old tree stump by the path, Finley remarking, "good spot for a picture."
The path swung right through more glorious trees...
...and then right again...
...leading to this illuminated arch, out to the terrace.
That was super", cheered Kodi. "A proper little adventure to tell our pals about."
Climbing the wide staircase, Brian whispered, "there's Saffie the hotel cat. If we are quiet Dad can get a picture with her."
Looking at us Saffie decided we were not threat, and turning round went back to sleep.
Settling in the room, Finley said, "thank you Dad for taking us."
"You're welcome lad."
Dad now announced, "I'm going to Cockermouth. Does anyone want to come along?"
Fred spoke for us all. "Just prefer to relax and hear about Finley Kodi and Brian's adventure."
Tetley called out, "please get us some more Ramblears tea, to boost our stock."
"Ok."
After he had gone, I said to Polly, "he's bound to go to Fagans."
"Yes Fletcher, I would not be surprised if there will be another new member for the Hug."
We all knew Dad's routine. Fagans to look at the Charlie Bears. The New Bookshop, to browse and a visit to their cafe for tea and probably a delicious scone. The food is so good that the cafe is generally very busy. A wander round and visit to shop to get the Ramblears tea.
When he came into the room, Gladly said, "no carrier bag."
"No indeed lad. Of course I went to Fagans. They had a large selection of Charlie Bears, but none took my fancy apart from perhaps Kevin, but I decided for once to be strong willed."
"Goodness me", exclaimed Fred nearly fainting. "My Dad would have been proud."
"There's still a while to go on this holiday", commented Grizzly. "We'll just have to see if the will power lasts."
"I'm taking the laptop down to the lounge so I can write part of a walk story."
Polly said, "Fletcher and I will keep you company, then."
"And me piped up Godfrey."
l-r Fletcher, Polly and Godfrey
We shared some scones. They were scrumptious.
Wednesday
This morning Dad was having a massage. Hannah, who Dad knows, was on reception at the Spa and they had a nice chat and catch-up. The massage was given by Olivia a lady from the Philippines. Very firm pressure and thorough that really relaxed his muscles.
On return he said, "you will not be surprised that my not buying a bear resolve has gone out of the window, so I'm off to Cockermouth again."
We all rolled about laughing, Grizzly saying, "told you so."
So off he went, seeing owner Carolyn on he way. He showed her the pictures of Saffie with Finley, Kodi and Brian Gavin.
"Will you send them to me", she said.
Apparently a dog had chased Saffie up a tree, so Fiona on reception went to tempt her down, where she just strolled away across the car park.
At Fagans the lady on the till was not very surprised to see Dad, remarking, "you're back."
So it was that Kevin came home to join the Hug. Dad went again to the to the cafe at the bookshop having a delicious bowl of carrot and coriander soup that Kevin eyed hungrily.
There is no doubting that Kevin is a quite beautiful bear and we can all see why he proved to be irresistible. He was liked by all the staff at the cafe and admired by a lady and gentleman at the next table, who were interested to hear a little about Dad's teddy bear collecting passion. Then he took Kevin on a walk round the town, including sitting out by the river while Dad read his book for a while. We welcomed him to our Hug and he settled in getting to know his new pals.
As the sun was setting looking out Beatrice said, "there's a nice evening light falling on the trees. Will be a nice picture Dad."
Soon it was time for dinner, ours as usual being room service. Meanwhile Dad was off the the Brasserie, where he enjoyed a lovely meal.
Gladly said, "Fred and I want to come along and we are taking Kevin."
"That's fine", agreed Dad. "First two bears in the Hug, Gladly and Fred with the latest member."
l-r Kevin, Fred & Gladly
Wednesday
Today was miserable with rain for the most part and little if any view from the window. Dad spent the morning in the lounge finishing off the walk story.
"We'll come and keep you company", said Fred. This was with Gladly, Finley, Kodi and Brian Gavin. Then we went with him to the Brasserie for lunch.
It was still raining so no prospect of going out, not that we wanted, but I said, "will you take the holiday hug group picture."
"Sure Fletcher. Come on lads get settled on the stairs to the Tower rooms."
back row - Beatrice, Brian Gavin, Fred, Finley, Gladly, Kodi, Benedick
middle row - Kevin, Polly, Fletcher, Godfrey
bottom row - Southey, Tetley with Little Eric, Grizzly, Allen, Shaun
For dinner Dad was going again to the Brassiere to enjoy the final meal of this holiday. I said, "Polly and I want to take Kevin again, and Godfrey.
"That's great. I can't go without company."
l-r Fletcher, Polly, Kevin, Godfrey
Friday
So the end of another lovely stay at what is referred to as Dad's second home. The good news too is that he has booked to come back in October. Yippee!
I hope you have liked reading about this holiday.
Love and Hugs,
Fletcher
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