Outdoor Discoveries

What originally was a news section for the rest of the website soon became a place for me to write about human-powered wanderings in the countryside. Photography inspires me to get out there, mostly on foot these days, though cycling got me started. Musings on the wider context of outdoor activity complete the picture, so I hope that there is something of interest in all that you find here. Thank you for coming!

Lakeland Roadworks

8th February 2009

Yesterday, I was up in Cumbria enjoying a walk from Old Dungeon Ghyll to Ambleside and two sets of roadworks made an attempt on derailing my plans rather than the snow and ice that had given me pause for thought. The first was at Troutbeck Bridge on the main Windermere to Ambleside road. The result was that lengthy tailbacks ensued, delaying local buses and other traffic. They may not have caused me to reconsider what I had in mind but they are the sort of thing that could shorten a day among the hills and perhaps take away from the relaxation that such an outing usually involves. The second was at Clappersgate (think Ambleside to Coniston, Hawkshead or Langdale) where deep excavations on the carriageway reduced traffic to single line with traffic signal and convoy control. Whenever I have heard before of this being done, it involved using a tipping truck but this set up had a workman driving a quad bike ahead of traffic and up and down the affected area while work was being undertaken, a slightly peculiar slight to my eyes. I am sure that both of these workings are needed but their being there does cause one to double check the BBC’s travel news page for Cumbria. Also, if they were carried out during the high season, chaos would be the result and it certainly doesn’t bode well the forthcoming half-term school break, particularly with all that attractive white stuff in the hills. Travel news like this may not be the usual sort of thing that I’d put up on here but these workings could have an impact on enjoyment of fine hill country, especially if everyone makes a beeline for the same area.

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