BOOTboys

BB2521 : WWW.BOOTBOYS.COM

Wednesday 11th June 2005

This report is all about WWW.BOOTBOYS.COM. If you were to try and visit the web page in the normal way, you might get a message like “Attackers can see and change information that you send or receive from the site” followed by “This page isn’t working”. Further research will tell you that it is available for purchase for only £77.99.

Alternatively you can consider my version of WWW.BOOTBOYS.COM.

Where shall we start? Well, “BOOTBOYS” is obvious, isn’t it? That’s us, though I prefer its presentation to be BOOTboys.

Next, “.COM”. Clearly this is an abbreviation for the word “Comitibus”. As a reminder to those who wonder why we use this term, it’s purloined from a poem by Hugh Sidgwick called “Comitibus or Companions of the Boot”. Its opening and closing stanzas read:

You who walked the ways with me
On hill and plain and hollow;
I ask your pardon, frank and free,
For all the things that follow.

For aught it has of wit or truth
I reckon you my creditors;
Its dullness, errors, want of taste
Inconsequence, may all be placed
To my account, the editor's.

You can read the full poem and more about its remarkable author by clicking on:

But what about the WWW? It’s definitely not the World Wide Web nor anything to do with Berners-Lee. It’s something more tangible. All should become clear as I take you on today’s adventure.

It was Mike B who suggested we should explore the new footpath on the west side of Windermere. A bit of research led us to think that we should park at Newby Bridge then go over the hill to Finsthwaite and on up to High Dam. We would then drop down to the YMCA Centre where the path begins (or ends) on its way to (or from) Lakeside (or Newby Bridge).

It was a glorious morning and after short climb through the woods we were able to enjoy the fields leading to Finsthwaite and, in particular, its unusual church.

There was a challenge on the way, however. The final field, which is a legitimate footpath, contained bullocks, heifers with calves and one mighty bull. Exactly what you are told to avoid.

Fortunately, we were able to bypass them via an adjacent field.

In the churchyard, Tony was anxious to show us the grave of Clementina Johannes Sobieski Douglas with its ambiguous statement:

BEHOLD THY KING COMETH

Ambiguous, as she was the illegitimate daughter of the Young Pretender, Bonnie Prince Charlie. Allegedly.

You can read more about her at the Cumbrian Princess.

We completed the climb to the High Dam reservoir, looking as pretty as ever.....

..... then sought the informal path that would take us down to the YMCA Centre. This led us steeply down, alongside a stream, passing some climbing rocks, before eventually reaching the road.

At the coach park entrance to the Centre was a sign for the new path which we followed southwards for some distance. It is well surfaced, suitable for wheelchairs but somewhat disappointing in its views; in particular, the lack of sight of Windermere. We did however see the Bobbin Mill.

Partway along to Lakeside we lost the path so had a rather exposed road slog for some distance. I then noticed that there was a path on the other side of the wall and an access gate. Unfortunately, by this time Mike and Stuart were so far ahead that despite Stan’s best efforts to persuade them to come back, they insisted on pressing on. “See you at Lakeside” they said. Or at least we thought they did.

When we reached Lakeside they were nowhere to be seen. A telephone call established that they were at the other side of the hotel. At least we thought that is what they said. As we were on the south side, they must surely be somewhere to its north. Consequently we waited for them, enjoying the stunning view up and across the lake. After a while, I decided I would buy Tony and Ian and me an ice cream. Stan didn’t want one. Once the cones were filled, I was embarrassed to discover they didn’t accept real money. Only cards. Fortunately Ian was able to rescue the day. Still the other two hadn’t turned up.

A while later, when ice creams were finished, we tried telephone contact again. “Oh, we are at Newby Bridge, having a pint at the Swan.” Clearly, something had gone amiss in the communications and we had another mile to go before we were able to join them. Fortunately this, the original path, is a much more pleasant experience, with lake, river and hill views plus the steam engine.

As we approached the Swan, we could see them sat in the sun, quaffing their ale, so of course we could join them to complete the WWW.

“OK, tell us, what is WWW”, I hear your demand, if you haven’t already guessed. Quite simply, it’s the new WEST WINDERMERE WAY.

Don, Wednesday 11th June 2025

Comitibus:

Mike, Stan, Don, Stuart, Ian, Tony

Bonus Pictures from Mike:

I'd have pulled my stomach in if I'd known he was taking them!

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Map: OS 1:25k

STATISTICS	BB2521 : WWW.BOOTBOYS.COM
Date:	Wednesday 11th June 2025
Features:	West Windermere Way
Distance in miles:	6.3
Height climbed in feet:	901
GPX track:	BB2521.GPX
Comitibus:	Don, Ian, Mike B, Stan, Stuart, Tony

For the index pages of our various earlier outings click on the relevant link below:

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Photos have been gleaned from many sources although mostly from me and other BOOTboys. Likewise written comment.
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BOOTboys2025

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