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Club Camp August 2011

Friday August 19th and after a couple of wrong turns, which we’ll blame on the Sat-nav. We arrived at the campsite located at ‘The Weatsheaf pub’ just before 6.00pm thankfully we had a pop-up tent as we only had 20mins to get it habitable before dinner at the pub and the more pressing matter of what seemed to be an inevitable downpour.

Dinner was great. Huge Lasagne for me and sausage and mash for John Salt with the addition of deep-fried black pudding, which I enjoyed for him! The Lostock men propped up a corner section of the bar and we all had a few drinks to fortify ourselves for the 3min walk back to camp in the driving rain.

I’d love to say the night was peaceful and we awoke refreshed…but….the late arrival of a geezer from down south and his guttural snoring which was a combination of car engine and industrial strength zip took care of that! Thankfully the children slept!

We woke early and got prepared for what was described as an easy trot! We all set off at 10.00am for a walk to Low Fell – a walk of approximately 6miles. There were options for those with little ‘uns to do a shorter, less hilly version and we were to all meet up again at the Kirkstile Inn pub, a regular haunt of Lostock AC. Salt’s senior and junior took on the challenge of the unedited version and we followed the group to Low Fell we made it to the top and were rewarded with views of Crummock and even Scotland – thanks to John and Jeff for pointing out Scotland – the kids were mega impressed!

The weather for the assent was glorious, given the wind and rain overnight we’d feared the worst but John Smith tells me “it never rains on Lostock” and I was starting to believe him…We made our way downhill as varying speed which in some cases included hurtling and taking out the legs of the person in front of you (Thanks Evie).

A few drinks at the pub and a chance to enjoy the sunshine and watch a bit of wrestling and then it was time for the journey back to camp. What was it Jeff? Bit further than 2.5miles? Yeah it was a bit further… 5 miles further! Up-hill, down dale, through long grass and mud, bit of river wading, bit of sheep baiting and sheep hide and seek which Adrian really enjoyed, and ‘Sound of music’ and ‘Oliver’ medleys courtesy of Salt juniors. Thanks to all those lovely ladies and gents that kept the children’s feet dry and their spirits up!

We arrived exhausted, nettle scarred and very proud of ourselves, back at camp ready for the feast…Mark and Kev (and helpers) had created a feast fit for heroes – Meat and potato pie, cheese and onion pie, mash and a curry to blow the cobwebs away. Satisfied that we’d fully replaced our lost calories, we retreated from the rain back to ‘The Wheatsheaf’ for a few drinks – we all relaxed on the big sofa. Back at the tent – the girls fell asleep fully clothed and John and I enjoyed the lullaby of Southern snores.

We loved our first experience of camp. Thanks so much to all those who organised it and for all those that welcomed and encouraged the newbies on their great Lakeland adventure.
Same time next year! But we’re packing ear plug… Fi x