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GLW2301:
Another Time, Another Place
Sunday
29th - Tuesday 31st January 2022
It
was in late 2021 that we were due to join
a group of couples of varying degrees of
acquaintance for a two night break at the
hotel formerly known as the Rampsbeck, located
at the northern end of Ullswater.
Unfortunately,
or maybe fortunately as it turned out, I
wasn’t very well on the day and so we had
to cancel. We had already paid but
the management were happy to hold the money
as credit for a future stay. It was
a case of “Another Time, Another Place.”
Now
you might think that should be “Another
time, same place” but no. You see
“Another Place” is the new name for the
hotel. Rampsbeck has been relegated
to the name of its fine dining room.
A
lot of money has been spent in modernising
the hotel with new extensions, infinity
pools, and shepherd’s glamping huts etcetera
whilst still maintaining much of the character
of a traditional Lakeland hotel.
We
checked in on Sunday afternoon and ate in
the less formal bar / dining area known
as The Living Space. Actually, the
Place is completely informal as to dress
code. I took the precaution of checking
the Rampsbeck room for the following night
and was politely informed that we could
wear whatever we wanted other than dressing
gowns! It is a far cry from the Blue
Bell at Heversham where, many, many years
ago, I was reprimanded for not wearing a
suit and was asked to eat wearing my duffle
coat in order to maintain standards.
We
had worried about the weather but actually
Monday turned out to be a far better day
than anticipated so we made the most of
it.
On
the other side of the lake is Hallin Fell,
which is actually a Wainwright, albeit one
of the lowest. That was irrelevant.
Our objective was to walk round, not
over.
We
parked by St Peter’s, known as the new church,
having driven up quite a steep and very
zig-zagged road to reach it. Our direction
of rotation was to be anti-clockwise, thereby
avoiding that steep climb at the end of
the walk.
Margaret
remembered, from when we did the same stretch
on the Ullswater Way, how tricky underfoot
it would be in parts, with ups and downs
over rocks and tree roots. However,
the reward was the views.
Having
completed the circumnavigation and still
having a little energy left, we decided
to undertake a further loop, past what must
be smallest named tarn in the Lake District,
Lany Tarn, and on up to St Martin’s, the
old church.
This
is a lovely ancient building still looking
fit for purpose in a rustic sort of way
but sadly in need of some repairs.
Stephen
and Julia were also staying at this Another
Place on Monday evening. We had a
very enjoyable evening with them in the
Rampsbeck and likewise at breakfast in the
morning.
On
the way home, as we passed Gowbarrow Bay,
Margaret pointed out the spectacular view
of the hills beyond the lake. It is
a view that had eluded me for years, I’d
see it so many times in print but never
found the right viewpoint previously.
It
had been a Great Little Break with a Great
Little Walk. We’ll certainly go back.
Another
Time, Another Place.
Don,
Tuesday 31st January 2023
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