I thought I was returning to familiar haunts, but it was not so, for the familiar was to be sidelined by my discovery of new sights. I was to observe the splendour of nature and the creativity of humanity, but in unexpected quarters. … I found a strangely familiar beauty as I travelled along the south Lakeland coastal road from Grange over Sands to Roa Island. It was as if I was looking through a time portal into an enchanted realm, with a ruined castle on Piel Island as the back drop. I appeared to be observing a realm without people, all the paraphernalia of humanity seemed to lay abandoned, as the ferocious wind drove humanity to take shelter. It appeared as if they had been driven into the Bosun’s Locker, so I and Robbie joined them.

Later I would visit Furness Abbey and Cartmel Priory before returning to the fading splendour of the Cumbrian Grand. She is like a grand old lady with a rich history, but is somewhat neglected around the edges. Situated as she is the weather beats at her frame, but there are some great scenic view if you get above the tree line. On my excursions with Robbie we saw deer and barn owls alongwith the hotels two peacocks. Should you explore the subterranean world of this hotel you can also find a neglected Victorian Ballroom and Snooker room. I feel sure that other treasures remain to be found, but we set off to explore the Kirkstone Pass and Glenridding along with the foot slopes of Helvellyn!