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Lostock camping weekend 2010

The closer to the lakes I got the heavier the rain poured. As I headed into Keswick (with my wipers now on max) there was an endless sky of cloud, torrential rain and lightening! “This could be a wash out” I thought. I pressed on through Keswick and over to Lorton. The campsite is located to the rear of the Weatsheaf pub which is superbly situated between some beautiful scenery. A toilet, shower block plus a few chickens is all that’s to hand but this fits nicely into the no nonsense Cumbrian way. I found a spot, braved the rain and threw up my tent.

Soon the Boltonian’s arrived and we all took refuge under the Lostock gazebo. While Adrian & Mark C hit the tops for there fix of the Cumbrian fells, Mark & Darren slapped up an impressive beef pie, mash, veggies & beer gravy (all that scout training clearly paid off)…hell this was extremely civilised (I thought we’d be roughing it)!

Soon the rain stopped and a beautiful evening sky was upon us. After a few beers & some grub at the Wheatsheaf everyone turned in for the night, put on there Heat Holders (plug)! And climbed inside there sleeping bags (apart from the posh gits in the luxury motor homes, who probably bathed, watched DVD’s and naturally floated off into a deep sleep on there comfy beds)! Meanwhile the rest of us lay there listening to a chorus of snoring and flatulence!

The next day the coach picked us up at 10 and took us over to Braithwaite. We started the walk in beaming sunshine & great views over Keswick. With Geoff & Adrian leading, the rest of the Lostock clan plodded on behind up to Grisdale Pike. We soon reached the summit and had our first sandwich stop. Most took a minute to wrap up and take some shelter from the wind (a few unfortunates sat in somebody’s ashes…including me).

After a few sarnies & some banter we took in the views and set off along to Hope Gill head and then down to Coledale Hause where we stopped for our second lot of sarnies. Jason’s dog Jack demonstrated his anal breathing technique while diving for rocks and John entertained all with his unsuccessful toilet locating skills (That poor lady quietly eating her lunch)!

After refuelling we dropped down Gasgate Gill and admired the “V” shaped river valley (see I was listening Geoff). Once off the mountain the beaming sun soon gave us all a thirst as we arrived at the Kirkstile Inn. We all chilled in the beer garden and downed the superb home brewed ales. After a few hours the lucky ones got a lift back to the site. The not so lucky ones set off on the 2 mile walk back to camp (watering most of the hedgerows along the way).

Once back at the site our onsite chiefs lit the barbeque and got the cook on! (Mark what was all the water flicking about)??? We all gathered under the gazebo and enjoyed burger after burger after sausage after burger after……….. burger. Hell we even had fish chicken & super hot curry too. Once at bursting point the cakes came out and more beers to wash everything down with.

When the lights went out most headed down to the pub for a night cap before retiring for a well deserved sleep. I’d like to carry on but I did a disappearing trick around 7:15 (I believe there were more sausages & burgers to get through for breakfast though)?

Awards go to: the highest peak climbed by a sausage dog (which is now a slug), My incorrect sleeping position, Johns toilet locating on Coledale Hause, Marks luxury meal for 4 on Friday & a seriously cracking weekend camping!!!

Big thanks to John and everyone that had a hand at organising, cooking, navigating etc etc…it truly paid off!

Cheers
Craig.

(Oh…don’t forget to let me know your thoughts on the Heat Holders)!