Only two more sleeps until

[Florence Fennel]

Have a smashing holiday AP, good luck with the veg and stay away from the edge

[Potstubsdustbins]

AP I see you are back either that or some one else has posted with your name. Are you going to let us know how you faired.

Colin

[VirginVegGrower]

Yes - me too AP - want to know if you liked the Lakes and got to that pub in Boot...

[Aberdeenplotter]

yes, I'm back and I promise I will let you know how it went in the Lakes. just not tonight. Knackeypood after the drive home.

[Aberdeenplotter]

LLangollen was an absolute blast. No success in the show itself but the camaraderie and banter was something special and the overall standard of the exhibits was so high. The social evening on the first day of the show hosted by the Welsh Branch of the NVS was absolutely brilliant helped to a huge degree by our WAGS hitting it off so well. The admission by one whilst kale eyed that she was a thespian, had them in fits of giggles when someone misunderstood . We did the boat trip on the canal and over the aquaduct. Utterly amazing and the boat steward giving a fisherman a cuppa on the way past added to the flavour of that. Also took a trip on the steam train which goes as far as Carrog and the Grouse Inn.

Drove back up the road into the lake district on Monday evening only to discover that it was impossible to get food in Ambleside after 8.00pm despite most of the establishments having boards outside proclaiming that they served food all day. Ended up eating from a chippy carryout. Next morning, breakfasted in a YHA. Our accommodation was room only with no food available. Did try an adjoining hotel proclaiming food available all day on their outside board where they were clearly trying to attract non residents but they didn't serve breakfasts to non residents till after 10.00am. Bit disappointing.

Did a boat trip on lake Windermere and had lunch in Bowness and then took in the Beatrix Potter attraction where my beloved bought me a Jemima Puddleduck. Afterwards took a trip up to Grasmere where we went in for a look at Wordworth's home at Dove Cottage. Really gives a flavour of the time.

Then drove up to Keswick on a really interesting road to suss out Wednesday's intended trip to the pencil factory. The road is amazing and the scenery is spectacular.

Had dinner early Didn't want another chippy tea!!! Steak pie with veg and chips. Huge portion and very tasty. Veg very undercooked. I like mine with a bit of bite but a dip in boiling water isn't quite enough. Still, it was well presented and well washed down with a couple of pints of Theakstones Old peculiar. Really enjoyed that. Afterwards had a seat outside and took in the views over the lake. The sky in thesetting sun was amazing. Better half took some super pics and another holiday maker took a pic of us using her camera. Raelly nice of him. Early night as totally bushed.

Back up through Keswick on Wednesday and visited Cockermouth. Vivid recollection of the poor souls there coping with floods in 2009. Felt a little ghoulish but wanted to try to understand how it happened. Was pleasantly surprised at how well the place has coped and everything is repaired or rebuilt with additional flood defences from the river at the rear which virtually runs parallel with the main street where the water had been over 5ft deep. Lunched there and felt spending money there was how to help the local community. I have my soft moments.

Back to Keswick where we took in the pencil factory museum, ripped off by having to pay over �3 for 4 hours parking when less than an hour is needed. Stress that the car park is not owned by the pencil museum who actually discount admission a bit on production of the car park ticket. Fell asleep during the video presentation but sat through it again and nearly fell asleep again. Must be the change of air .

Should have said, took in the Hayes Garden Centre at Ambleside in the morning and breakfasted there. Really nice garden centre and very big and very well stocked. Bought some Senshyu yellow onion sets which went through the till at only 50p. I hadn't noticed but the checkout assistant pointed it out and she had already pointed it out to the management. Bought another packet for my pal who watered my greenhouses for me whilst away. I'm so generous.

Had food in local hotel. Fried haddock with 10 chunky chips. Well that's what happens when you go posh !!
Back up the road on Thursday. Still knackered today but probably the equivalent of jet lag.

We went prepared to spend money and really had to. Everything is so expensive but that's what holidays are about.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Should have said, came home to a �10 GYO voucher for summat printed in the magazine. No notification of what is being printed as Holly used to do, so will have to wait to see the mag. Going to buy sweet pea seeds I think.

[Florence Fennel]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time AP. My mag came yesterday and although I've only skimmed it yet, I think I've seen a couple of entries of yours in there. Oh and better luck with the veg next time.

[VirginVegGrower]

LLangollen was an absolute blast.

Pleased you had a good time - forgot about the pencil museum - probably with good reason. The pub to go to in Keswick is the one behind the Benetton shop (if it's still there) - local ale and darned good food. We always stayed in Glencoe B and B - breakfasts legendary.
Boot Inn pub was one of the best around - maybe next time.
Sorry you didn't come up trumps - obviously don't recognise quality when they see it - we all like your onions

[sewer rat]

Hi Frank
Glad you had a great time at Llangollen - been catching up with how it all went on the NVS site. I think the overall feeling is more needs to be done to attract the public in to the show but other than that, everyone seems really positive about it.
Good that you enjoyed the Lakes, even if you couldn't get fed !

[Aberdeenplotter]

The show as held over three days and two would have been enough for a stand alone show. The venue was superb for the veg, it kept really well and the spuds didn't even go green. I didn't have serious ambitions to win anything. Ignore the pic below of me and my brother holding onions. Uploaded that by mistake and can't get rid of it but the other pic is one of my entries. Should have straightened the right hand leek before taking the pic. Both leeks have now been cut and put down to seed for next year.

[Aberdeenplotter]

p.s. I'm on the left

[tattieman]

You should have stopped in to see me on your way back up the road. Glad you had a good time.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Iain,

We had a pit stop at Abington services so could easily have rescheduled but one doesn't want to presume and by that time we really wanted to be up the road. Worst thing about living so far away is the long way back .

[bearded bloke]

Anyone followinging this thread who has not been there Country Tracks today BBC 1 11:00 - 12:00 is visiting the pencil factory

[bearded bloke]

^^ yes I know smelling pisstake ^^ tis aloud on Thunday's