Ashness Bridge

17 August 1974.  

48 years ago today I fell in love.  I was 16.  It is a love that is stronger than ever and continues to grow.

48 years ago today I came on a Sea Ranger/Venture Scout camp here in this beautiful place.  The Scouts stayed in the Bark House Bunk House (extra) right next to Ashness Bridge and we Sea Rangers camped up the road at Ashness Farm.  We had travelled to the lakes by train, were collected from Penrith station and driven to our home for the next two weeks.  I was entranced by the beautiful Blencathra on the drive.  The weather was pretty similar to what we had today - warm and sunny.  It was my introduction to fell walking and we also sailed and canoed on Derwentwater.  We walked up Scafell Pike in our second week.

I knew then that I wanted to live in this wonderful county - it took a while - and was able to move here in 2011.  In the intervening years we had many holidays here with the boys as they were growing up.

Santana came with me on my trip down memory lane today.  My thanks to him.  We had a great day and talked about all the things that have changed in the intervening 48 years - mobile phones, computer technology, electric vehicles, social media, Europe ......the list goes on.

After Ashness Bridge we popped up to Surprise View and then to the Flock Inn for ice-cream.  

Home through the Lakes and I am still on Cloud 9.  Thank you Cumbria for being you.