Northern Drive-Out 2022, Lakes and Pennines - Fri26th to Sun 28th August (Bank Hol Weekend)

[Normb666]

Gang,
just bumping this up a bit. Visited the hotel today to see where we were up to - we've got 6 rooms booked and 11 people total. There are 13 rooms reserved but they're only guaranteed till July, so if you're umm-ing and ahh-ing, don't leave it too long!

It seems some peeps have had a bit of bother booking in - the hotel has some new staff who've not quite mastered the ropes yet so if you call to book, whoever you get, insist they make the reservation and then follow it up with an email to reception@castleinncumbria.co.uk and mark it for attention of Anna. Hopefully we'll get a few more of ya giving it a go....and don't forget to post on here if you do please!

[Phubb]

Sent an email asking to make a reservation as that's what the hotel asked me to do and Anna would call back today. No call so called her and she said this handsome chap called in yesterday. She said his name was Mr Briers - strange !! Anyway I have made a booking direct with Anna but then realised I didn't give her an email as a backup - but she has the first one.
Why do I get the feeling this could go pear shaped ?
Is it overkill to confirm to the hotel they have booked us in ?

[Normb666]

Nah, it'll be fine. I've got you on my list and I'll be speaking to them again in July, so we can make sure we're synchronised. It'll be a great weekend! .....honest....

[Normb666]

Any more for this? We're only 4 weeks away and the remaining reserved rooms are back on general sale, so if you want to come along, get in there before they're all gone!

[Normb666]

Lakes and Hills 27-8-22.docIt occurred to me that with this being the Northern DRIVE-OUT, it could be helpful if there was some sort of indication of where to head to. Accordingly, I knuckled down and knocked up some route instructions, and here they are...


Lakes and Hills 27-8-22.doc

I originally had a plan to include a small initial loop over the Whinlatter Pass, but in the end dropped it as we're doing enough as it is. But if anyone wants to give that bit a go separately, let me know!

[Normb666]

Latest news for those attending!

Spoke to the hotel today (OK, it was actually someone who works there, not the building....pedants!!) and the good news is that they've not lost our booking, and we're good to go. They'll be taking payment at check-in time, which is from 15:00 on the day. Dinner will be at 19:30 both nights and they're going to seat us all together, to save us annoying the other guests. Brekky is between 7 and 10, but I'm expecting us to be away on the run by 10:30. Don't think there's anything to add other than that, but chirp up if you've any questions.

If you're aiming to get there early, to try and avoid the traffic, and fancy somewhere decent to eat, try the BASSENTHWAITE STATION CAFE which is in the old station buildings on the Penrith - Cockermouth line and just a few miles from the hotel. They've got a replica locomotive, and art deco carriages that you dine in, all from the 2017 "Murder on the Orient Express" film. Best if you book ahead though as it seems popular - we were lucky to get a table when we just turned up a week last Sunday.

Those attending -

Me and Leah
David and Pat Jowsey
Phil and Helen Dolby
Robin and Carole Tyler-Morris
Richard Craig and Sarah
Pete and Julie Hubbard
Dave Hill (non-club member).

If anyone fancies booking at the last minute, there may still be a couple of rooms left - give them a ring, ask for Anna, and don't forget to let me know if you're successful!

See y'all there!

[AndyGuyton]

Hope you all have a great time, there are some brilliant roads around there. With a little luck, I'll be able to join you next year.