Whilst five friends and I were lovingly creating blistered feet by walking a circular 90 mile trek across the high peaks of the Lake District, awaiting us at the end of one of the days was the home comforts of the Coledale Inn.
This Inn began life around 1824 as a wood mill and later as a pencil mill(taking notes at the back?).
It lies above the lovely village of Braithwaite, two miles from the town of Keswick, coincidentally the home of the world's only pencil museum – not as boring as it first sounds by the way.
It is handily placed for the scenic delights of Lake Bassenthwaite – the only actual lake in the Lake District for quiz buffs, as all the others are tarns, meres or waters. Just down the road is Derwentwater – see what I mean?
The hotel itself is on a quiet lane away from main roads and with paths leading off into the mountains from the gardens.
It is close to the Coast to Coast cycle route, whilst mountain bikers not undertaking this arduous challenge can whizz around the tracks of the Whinlatter Forest.
The twenty one en-suite bedrooms are of good decorative order with a homely feel and the hotel has a large garden with tables for those sunlit, peaceful evenings when you want to just relax with a pint of the several local real ales on offer in the bar.
Food is good quality home style cooking at very reasonable prices, just the thing for outdoor explorers to refuel.
Get the diaries out and sharpen those pencils for a very good weekend away folks.
More information can be found at www.coledale-inn.co.uk.
