Jump Start Required

This morning we get up early and I manage to collar some poor camper still with sleep in his eyes to jump start our car. Once up and running we head to Keswick for the Parkrun. As we pass back into mobile reception it is confirmed that Derby lost 1-0 last night.

At the Parkrun they are also running a GoTri event which is Duathlon incorporating the 5km parkrun, a 13km road cycle ride and a 1km run around nearby Fitz Park.

I did offer to pack L’s bike but she declined, so it’s just the run she’s doing. There’s one other complication, it’s tipping it down. The start is at the former railway station which is now part of a hotel but the platform works well as cover from the rain for us hardy spectators. Who aren’t quite hardy enough to brave the rain.

Afterwards we go for a Full English in Keswick and then take in the Keswick Museum where there is a display on Wainwright.

Then it’s back to the tent for a shower and some chilling in the tent in the rain.

Later, we head down to the Sticklebarn for food and drink. The place is now National Trust owned which I think is a bit like being run by the local council. Consequently it stops serving food at 8pm and closes completely at 9pm despite being over half full. Everyone decamps back to their accommodation or to the other pubs. We head into the New Dungeon Ghyll next door for a night cap.

(Saturday 7^th November)

An Impartial Opinion

Today we get up early and again battle the oddities of train travel to head to Manchester again. This time to visit the University with Daughter for their Postgraduate Open Day, as she contemplates continuing her studies.

The route of the train takes us through Sheffield where she gets on and joins us. Although she can’t sit with us because of the peculiarities of the booking system. We were forced to book seats and are supposed to sit in them. Her tickets didn’t require a seat booking but if she requested one, there was no way of requesting it to be near ours. Then to take our seats we have to invariably move someone on, which we do. Then each time, both outbound and inbound, Daughter manages to find a reserved seat fairly nearby that isn’t being used.

The open day isn’t terribly well organised, Sheffield’s are much better Daughter informs us. That’s her impartial opinion of course and I’m sure has nothing to do with the fact she works at them.

After attending two morning ‘lectures’, for want of a better word, we join a brief campus tour before discovering that the Student Experience Exhibition had packed up and finished at lunch time. At least we manage to grab a complimentary coffee before they all disappear.

Then there is a subject specific session during the afternoon, which is the most helpful part of the day, answering many of my questions anyway.

Then with everything dealt with we take Daughter to a museum because apparently we denied her such delights as a child. I’m sure we didn’t but there you go. She heads straight for the mummy which is, as the attendant directs us, straight up the stairs and left at the elephant.

Then after all that excitement, it’s the train home. 

 (Wednesday 27^th November)