Borrowdale primary school trip 1974

Monday

9.00 am left Cottingham Green [East Yorkshire, England]. Sunny at first. Pass Bishop Burton; stopped for petrol. We go through Hat[t]on, 9.45am weather good. Went through York at two minutes past 10. Saw wall of York. Saw [River] Ouse and Minster. Saw house boat on the Ouse called The Barge. Stopped 10.25 to go to toilet by Ouse [!]. Passed engine sheds. Through Knaresborough and Harrogate, past a radar station, then on to Skipton at 11.53.

Went on a tour around Skipton Castle

[I noted there were 15 octagonal towers and that the name Skipton may have been derived from Sheep Town. Drew a picture of the yew tree in the castle but this picture looks better].

Lady Anne Cliford planted a yew tree in the conduit court of the castle, in 1659, to mark the restoration of the castle.

[continuing on..] Went on M6 motorway to Penrith, then into the Lake District National Park.Went Brockhole, saw Lake Windermere 3.14pm (10 1/2 miles long, 1 mile wide). [the notes then jump to tea at our lodgings which although not specifically mentioned were at Borrowdale Youth Hostel]

We had stew, mashed potatoes and carrots, then chocolate mousse and pears. Went to Honiston Pass [excellent pictures here].

Tuesday

Saw two Magpies out of our window, also we saw some Chaffinches and some Crows. Breakfast - cornflakes, fried eggs and beans, then toast and marmalade. Went to Keswick in coach; got off and walked to the pier. Went for a boat ride in the 'Lady Derwentwater' on Derwentwater.

The 83-year-old Lady Derwentwater, has been owned and operated by The Keswick Launch Company since 1935

Water was rough, I got soaked with spray. Half an hour [later] we got off at Ashness pier and walked to Ashness Bridge. Went to Suprise View [A scenic footpath through the wood starts from the car park just beyond the bridge. The walk proceeds to a cliff edge point known as Surprise View which offers superb views of both Derwentwater, Skiddaw and Borrowdale.] good view of Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite.

Then went over a stile by the river and over a log bridge to Watendlath [a small hamlet] for lunch.

Then walked up very steep hill. Saw a Tarn, then down to Rosthwaite. Saw big houses used by Hugh Walpole - he wrote Brackenburn [Actually he was a novelist who had a house called Brackenburn, on the slopes of Catbells overlooking Derwentwater]. Got some Kendal Mint Cake here [glucose-based confectionery flavoured with peppermint]. Met New Zealanders [!]. Jonathon Palmer fell in and put his socks on a pole to dry. I tried to get a fish [in a stream?] but couldn't.

Went through Johnny Wood nature trail and had afternoon tea. Went to see the Bowder Stone - climbed it and slid down. Went to a quarry and went in caves [wonder what I saw there?].

2000 tonnes of rock left after the last ice age

[Back at the Youth Hostel, tea is described]. Tomato, fish, chips and peas. Jam sponge and custard [yum!].

Wednesday

Timmy's birthday [can't remeber him].Saw Magpie again and some Jackdaws.Breakfast, porridge, fried tomatoes and bacon, toast and marmalade. Went Ambleside on coach. Walked up a steep track then walked alongside Loughrigg Fell. We met some Americans from Seattle. Went on to Loughrigg Tarn and then Loughrigg Terrace. Saw a zig zag path. 

Grasmere from Loughrigg Terrace

Carried on until we reached a weir where we had lunch. Paddled in the water - it was cold! Crossed a bridge then walked to the coach. Coach to Grasmere - bought ice cream.Back to Youth Hostel had shower.

Thursday

Saw Robin, Crow, Chaffinch and Magpie [looking out of the bedroom window]. Rice Crispies, Spaghetti and sausages, toast and marmalade [for breakfast]. Went on the coach to Hawkshead then went to Beatrix Potter's house (Hill Top Farm, near Sawrey). There were two rooms downstairs and four upstairs. J.W. found a key which had been lost. Had lunch in the car park. Went to Tarn Hows . Got lost, then walked back to the coach on Coniston Road then went to Grasmere and bought souveniers - two crocodiles [just toys, don't worry!], a thermometer [decorated as a sign post to the town], a map and a china watering can.

[Evening meal isn't mentioned, probably as this was the last night and we were having a Disco! I can still remeber one song that we danced to 'Tiger Feet' by Mud]. That's where the diary ends, no details of the journey home.