Cheers Colin - great story.
What I didn't mention was the fact that the car park at the end of the road was full. It wasn't full of the empty cars of people out walking the fells. No, it was full of people who were still sitting in their cars, drinking from flasks and listening to their radios. What's that all about? You drive out to somewhere beautiful, somewhere that could be
quiet and beautiful, and you can't be arsed to even get out of your car, walk across the car park, climb over a stile and sit somewhere on the hillside beyond. If they had walked even 400 metres up the hill they would have had much more dramatic views. And as for blasting each other with loud music ... sometimes I just don't get people!
One of the things that really struck me when we stopped for our picnic lunch was how quiet it was up there on the fells. All I could hear was the sound of my own breathing, a gentle breeze gusting, and the distant call of a bird.
I passed the hotel, never been in there. Am worried that places like that can be snooty.
I don't know what it is like normally, you could be right, who knows? When we were there it was okay because we had taken over the place for 5 days so it was just a couple of staff, the people running the course and about 12 (?) of us.
I'm glad your camera is okay. I must admit that I've been worried about mine because I carry it on a little bag attached to my handlebar stem so it doesn't get much protection when it rains. I ought to wrap it in a polythene bag but always forget to.