The latest entry in our guestbook reads:
It’s rare to find a holiday let finished and presented to such a high standard – far exceeded expectations and highly recommended. Best walks: Glenridding to Howtown (Ullswater) and return journey via steamer boat, and Hampsfell (Grange-over-Sands). Recommended drive: Honister Pass via Buttermere.
I’ve mentioned this in passing before, but would like to highlight the point a little further, as I feel many Londoners don’t realise just how accessible the Lake District is to them. I asked on Twitter how long people thought – without looking it up – it took to get from London Euston to Oxenholme the Lake District on the train. (Oxenholme is the nearest mainline station to Kendal and lies just a mile or so out of the town). Here were the replies:
5 hours (@OldPostcards)
Couple of days? (@mountainposture)
6 hrs (@Dazzx)
I think 3 hours I’m sure it’s four to Carlisle (@Craigwdoran)
3 hours or so? (@cyberdoyle)
6 hrs (@SusanSmalley)
3 hours (@JC_Black_Cat)
So, taking out the anomalous response (which came with a winking smiley so clearly wasn’t mean to be taken too seriously!), we have 6 responses totalling 26 hours. This gives an average ‘guestimate’ of 4 hours 20 minutes.
It surprises many people that the journey can in fact be completed in just 2 hours 38 minutes.
Our friends at beelocal sent us an email today, telling us that Dales Butchers in Kirkby Lonsdale are the latest local supplier to join their ranks. For those that don’t know, beelocal is an online shopping delivery service that specialises in local produce. They will deliver groceries directly to our accommodation to save guests packing provisions or going out shopping the moment you arrive. They will also be getting involved in the Kendal Festival of Food which starts this Friday.
Those of you that have yet to stay at our riverside apartment – and perhaps many of you that already have – probably don’t know that our balcony not only enjoys a fabulous view down the River Kent and towards Kendal Castle, but it also overlooks the entrance to an otter holt. In order to minimise disruption to the delicate balance of the river’s ecology, the builders of the apartment building put up bat boxes and constructed this artificial holt. As yet, the holt is unused (to the best of my knowledge) but otters have previously been seen along this stretch of the river.
And the good news just in is that otters are currently thriving in the UK. In a report conducted by the Environment Agency (for the full 125-page version, click here), they are apparently “back from the brink of extinction”. The report finds that otter populations in Cumbria have probably reached full capacity, and makes specific reference to “the very clean rivers of Cumbria”.
In South Cumbria, the number of ‘positive sites’ (where signs of otters have been identified) from a total of 82 sites has changed markedly since the late 1970s:
1st survey (1977-1979) – 3/82 (positive sites/total)
2nd survey (1984-1986) – 17/82 (positive sites/total)
3rd survey (1991-1994) – 13/82 (positive sites/total)
4th survey (2000-2002) – 24/82 (positive sites/total)
5th survey (2009-2010) – 57/82 (positive sites/total)
It’s the Kendal Festival of Food next week and, if you’re going to be in the area, here are a few events to look out for:
Real Artisan Baking 22nd & 24th October 08:00 to 12:00 – A free demonstration of real artisan baking with Simon Thomas at the Staff of Life Bakery.
Tapas, Mezze & More 24th October 09:30 to 16:00 – Come for this full day course with LucyCooks and learn how to put different foods together to provide a fabolous feast of flavours all for £130.
Children’s Pizza Making 26th & 27th October 15:00 to 16:30 – Enjoy children’s pizza making, with Chef Martin McMillan, at Infusion Italian Restaurant. £4.50 per child, first come first roll.
The latest entry in our guestbook reads:
Forget 5 star hotels, this apartment is so much better – more spacious, more comfortable and with no balcony supplement! Best food – The Dalesman in Sedbergh. Best drive – Hardknott Pass.
Wilf’s – a café on the Staveley Mill Yard just outside of Kendal – has for some time run a series of themed speciality evenings. They’re doing it again, so here are some dates to look out for if you’re planning a visit:
15th October 2010 ~ Greek
5th November 2010 ~ Indian
26th November 2010 ~ Mexican
17th Dec. 2010 ~ Christmas
The evenings cost £19.95pp (with the exception of Christmas which is £24.95pp). Take your table anytime between 7.30 – 9pm and bring your own wine and they will supply wine glasses and corkscrews. Booking is essential with a £5 deposit required.
I’ve just received a mailshot from beelocal, a local company that can deliver local produce to your holiday accommodation. Like Tesco Delivery, I suppose, but with a local emphasis. Anyway, they’ve kindly sent a recipe for a delicious, heartwarming Cumberland pie– a traditional British dish for traditional British weather! So, I felt obliged to pass it on…
Ingredients to serve approx 6
1 tbsp oil
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots
250g minced beef
1 tbsp plain flour
1 beef stock with 200ml of water
1.5kg potatoes
15g butter
Method
1 – Preheat the oven to 180C (350F) Gas mark 4.
2 – Heat the oil, adding the onion, carrots and minced beef until golden brown, stirring often.
3 – Stir in the plain flour and then add the beef stock. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4 – Once all this is completed, add the mixture to a suitable ovenproof dish.
5 – Peel and dice the potatoes and cook in boiling water until tender.
6 – Mash the potato using the butter and use it to top the mince in the dish.
7 – Add your own design on the top using a fork.
8 – Bake in the oven for 40 minutes until nice and golden.
Wine Recommendation
McHenry Hohnen Shiraz, Margaret River, Australia supplied by Lakeland Vintners. A rich blackcurrant and red fruit taste, with a hint of leather. Only £10 from beelocal.
The latest entry in our guestbook reads:
Remarkable stay in superb apartment. Will not be telling our friends until we have a confirmed re-booking! Your attention to detail is faultless. Recommend the New Moon Restaurant, Highgate.
