Easter Tour 2005 - Cumbria, 7-10th April

Photos by Rhyan Probert & Malcolm Murphy (click images to enlarge).
Report by Sue Rainsbury.

Thurs 7th
I set off from Aberystwyth to the land of Beatrix Potter, for my first non-dinner tour, as a 29yr old ringer in Wales and came away as a 30yr old Associate Member. After a fairly easy going journey I arrived at the car ferry to cross Lake Windermere - a ferry that we made good use of over the weekend. Despite its weathered appearance, it was actually one of the most reliable parts of any journey we made, as no maps were required! Once in Far Sawrey, a local farmer pointed out Braithwaite Hall (helpfully signposted as the Village Hall until you read the small print), our base for the weekend and it wasnt long before I spotted a familiar face in Gail (Master) who I accompanied with Dave to the meeting point, the Tower Bank Arms.
Some of the serious beer connoisseurs had already arrived at this rather cosy, celebrity-endorsed pub and numbers slowly increased, including Kevin and his new joke book. Just as we approached closing time, the catering officers with the breakfast food arrived (hooray). While most were driven back to the hall for tea & toast (rum and vimto?! etc), a select gathering made the short walk back in pitch darkness - what no-one realised was that everyone had left Malc in the pub!! Oops.

Fri 8th (Funeral of Pope)
After what seemed like a very early alarm, breakfast was served whilst we slowly arose to quite a cold morning. Cold enough for Andy to borrow a rather nice pink stripy scarf, very fetching! Becky (temporary mascot keeper) along with Puff and the rest of the hall occupants set off to find the first church (St Mary, Ulverston 6). Although some bypassed this first tower, not all through choice!, most people made it to the 8 in Kirby-in-Furness and Im sure all had arrived by the time I rang on my first 12 at Broughton-in-Furness (where many called changes were rung by all)!
Off to the Black Bull at Coniston for lunch, where it snowed whilst we supped on pints of Bluebird. Puff looked fairly relaxed despite his first tour for some time; perhaps he was missing Idris and Rhys who had not been able to come along this time? Once food had been consumed and take-out bottles purchased we headed off to Langdale in the sunshine. The view from the church was superb, the beam in the tower was a little low and the ropes quite long (a common feature - average height in Cumbria must be low). Richard? and family, who were passing on their way to a break in Penrith, managed to have a ring before we moved on to our last tower of the day at Brathay.
By the time the key for the tower door had arrived we had acquired a couple of American walkers who were intrigued to see what ringers did. All that I remember about this tower was the incredibly long ladder and the proximity of a storage heater (which was on) to Ryans legs whilst ringing. It was decided we should next congregate at a pub in Hawkshead - good skills Ross, you did your homework, fab pub and great food.
Its no wonder my memory of parts of this tour are hazy, I was only just realising the average quantity of alcohol consumed was well above my usual intake!!!!!!!!!!
So ringing for the day completed, 3 meals consumed, that just left one place to go, the pub closest to the hall for more beer and plenty of laughter, mainly from the nutters (Karen, Kit, Ryan, Dave, Gail etc) who under took the longest game of darts I have ever played!

Sat 9th (Wedding of Charles and Camilla/Grand National)
A memorable day for many reasons! Our first tower of the day was Holy Trinity in Kendall (10), big wide church with too many doors, so finding both the way in and out was a mini challenge. From there we headed off to Crosthwaite, a six with more long ropes, but 6 bell towers = potential for doubles methods, so I was happy. Our last pre-lunch tower was in Bownesss-on-Windermere, where we arrived to find Andy wearing the same pink scarf but eating an ice-cream!! There seemed to be a rather intricate clock chiming mechanism and a random ringer (origin unknown) who followed us to the tower after lunch as well. The lunch pub was great, oodles of real ale to sample, cracking food and Dave had organised a Grand National sweep-stake, all of which successfully distracted most from the weight of bells at the next tower.
St Marys Ambleside, 32-2-2. I can honestly say I was both relieved and satisfied to stand my bell, having watched 2 people ring up the last 2 or 3 bells. Heavy. Fortunately the last tower of the day was significantly lighter, although there was a random ?2nd which took a bit of skill as both Ryan and Ross will bear witness.
So it was back to the hall for the meeting followed by a culinary feast, courtesy of the catering officers. Jacket potatoes followed by birthday cake, very nice too.
The pub in Far Sawrey was our destination for Saturday evening - details from here are a little sketchy, but I do have distinct recollections of Jenny & Becky appearing with pints of pink beer and Rona wearing tinsel whilst dancing to Abba in the kitchen of the Hall. Needless to say copious amounts were consumed by some and all had a very relaxed/merry end to the Easter Tour of 2005