Drive to Blackpool and Lake District
I think I have found a new passion for driving. My last long drive was from Pondicherry to Chennai in Eric’s car. It was always a chore to drive a car and never much enjoyed driving before – at least not as much as riding a bike. All that was to change.I RENTED A CAR AND WENT ON A TWO DAY DRIVE.
It all started with a colleague of mine wanting to rent a car for his family and ended in nine of us (including two toddlers) heading north in two cars. Their plan was to visit Blackpool and the Lake District, since we had none, we decided to do the same.
Since I was the one with a valid license and had necessary papers (and knew how to drive!!) I rented the brand new Toyota Yaris.
12.08.2006, 10AM: Having collected the car, loaded the trunk, we all regrouped at Ritesh’s place. Jitender was to drive the Nissan Micra while I got behind the wheel of Toyota Yaris with Arun and Guru (mates from work).
Within minutes we were out of Chesterfield surrounded by the country side in search of A623 and further on to A6 (motorway). Passes through some scenic landscape of the Peak District en-route. Thick pines covering both bank, lush fern, long sweeping curves – I already got my moneys worth and we JUST started. Missed an exit to M60 near Stockport and almost ended up on the Southbound M60 instead of North. Struggled with the roundabouts and service lanes for an hour before we could climb up the ramp on to the M60 to a crawling traffic. Arun had taken over the wheel by then and we cruised towards Preston – our first halt of the day. Had lunch at a friend of friends place. Feasted on the rotis and the sandwiches thanks to the ladies.
Blackpool to UK is what Florida is to the US. It has a beach, it has an smaller version of the Eiffel tower, the biggest rollercoaster ride – ideal summer destination. Only, it was freezing when we got there. The tide was low and the receding water uncovered more than half a mile of sand. With the setting sun on the horizon the sight was picturesque at twilight. We started our excursion with the tower @£7 per head.The tower itself sits on top of a five storied building which also houses a circus and a ball room. Standing at 158m the tower is the smallest in its class, but it definitely did not look like it once we climbed to the top. As in the Eiffel tower (I am told), the very top level has a glass floor – nearly 130m above the ground called the “walk of faith”. Though not scary, it was indeed jittery to trust a couple of inches of glass. Thus completing this daredevil act, we proceeded to the Pleasure beach at the other ends of the road. Had to take a tram to reach this amusement park that boasts of the biggest rollercoaster ride in Europe, a casino, Ripley’s Believe it or not and loads of rides. The very sight of this mammoth structure is intimidating enough; the mile long queue was not motivating either. So we were content with watching others scream their guts out and left the place just in time to catch the sunset. If it were possible, the sight was the best of the lot we saw that day. I am glad to have caught it on my camera for the moment lasted all but a minute. I saw the sun disappear in to the sea…literally…the movement was so swift.
Ritesh and co had decided to go back to Preston while we were contemplating weather to continue ahead to Lake district or spend the night. After many futile attempts in getting a room, we decided to head for Lake district taken on advise from an elderly B&B owner. It was 2130 already while we made our way to Kendal – the first of our towns in Lake District. Only after two hours of searching through the town did we realize that the old man was WRONG – there definitely were not many B&B’s in Kendal and also there is nothing worth seeing in the town. We finally had to give up and decided to sleep in the car. Found a nook among cars parked in a residential block and nestled ourselves in for the night.
For all the goodness of the car, the Yaris is not very spacious. After a lot of shuffling around we finally crashed – the giant Arun and the long boned Guru in the front seats and me in back with limbs bent at odd angles. I don’t think any of us actually slept but no one spoke till 5 in the morning.
Arun decided to drive in no direction in particular and the road took us through some scenic English countryside before we decided to turn back and head towards our next destination – Windermere (but not before a stop over in the woods to brush our teeth).
Windermere is famous for its lake (more like a river) with a small yachts and boats docked in its quayside. At six in the morning we were the only souls crazy enough stroll in the bone chilling cold wind. Again the sheer beauty and the tranquillity of the scenery was worth the trouble. On a challenge Arun and I strode in to the icy cold water - barefoot. Now that is an experience I will remember for a long time. Having refreshed ourselves at the public restrooms there, we made way on the final leg of the trip – Keswick.
I would definitely rate the drive from Windermere to Keswick the best of the trip and the best I have driven in my life. Even the pictures cannot justify the beauty of the place. We decided to take a diversion in to the woods that took us next to a beautiful lake at the foothills. Parked the car and went trekking into the woods to the lake…well yet again…it was the most beautiful scene. Having taken in the greenery and the fresh cold air, we proceeded towards Keswick for some much needed food.
Had scrumptious English breakfast at a local Inn. Apart for the beautiful lakes, Keswick is also famous for the “Castlerigg’s Stone Circle” – huge boulders in a circle from the Neolithic and Bronze Age. Can’t miss that having come this far!! So in spite of getting lost a couple of times, we successfully took our pictures next to this amazing structure. To think that these rocks were placed there thousands of years ago was a near religious experience. Since it was not yet noon, we decided to squeeze in one more halt before heading back home – Dave cottage, home of the much renowned poet William Wordsworth (I still remember “Daffodils” from my sixth standard English text and insisted on visiting the place).
Dave Cottage is a beautiful little house in the middle of English countryside that one would associate with a poet. The motorway and the commercial neighbourhood could not tamper the tranquillity of the dwelling. They also had the Wordsworht’s museum next door. I bought some souvenirs including a copy of Daffodils and an ink quill.
Arun took the wheel next while I caught up on some much needed sleep. We changed places halfway through to reach Chesterfield safely by 5 O’clock on Sunday evening.
Pictures --> click on the next pictures to view all
The only way the trip could have been better would have been were I on a bike (or with a blonde chick).
posted by Addy @ 9:36 AM
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