All is quiet, on New Year’s Day, normally
Hector cannot recall the last time he made breakfast on New Year’s morning. Bed by 02.30 made breakfast at 10.30 a possibility. All five of us made which is even more impressive. By now only Jonathan was still ordering the Sausages as part of the Full English.
Marg and Hector headed out into the daylight; the first time we had the chance to see the town since we arrived. We paid homage to Laurel and Hardy. Some shops were open, trains were running and more importantly, the pubs were open. This is why we came to England.
The Farmers Arms was the first port of call. The Hector had to investigate the possibility of a dinner booking this evening. It was possible. We headed up the hill passing the old kirk which dates back over a thousand years. A wee bit of history then.
The Furness Lighthouse on the hilltop did not beckon to Hector at all. Once we were in range of a half decent photograph it was back down. But wait a minute; we appear to be on the same street as the rest of the group’s B&B. We could not find St Marys Mount and so went back down the hill to the Farmers Arms for coffee.
The HTC erupted into life. Craig and Yvonne were already at The Swan imbibing in the wonderful Hawkshead NZPA. Maggie and Clive were not too far away, it was time to saunter along.
The promised Bacon Butties were on the bar in a help yourself format, I did. Hector was the first person in 2012 to order a second pint of NZPA, not that we take these things seriously. Realising that if I sat opposite the assembled crew rather than prop myself on a stool – we could in effect take over the room – I sat alone initially. ?Stan! and Robin took the bait, Marg went for a wander but then returned to stoke the fire. Jonathan and Mags were now here too. Once Howard and Tracey entered we were re-united once again.
A couple from Barrow in Furness joined us and added greatly to the afternoon. They were in Ulverston for the afternoon touring the pubs with coal fires. There was a great exchange of information.
We spent a thoroughly relaxing afternoon at The Swan, taking it easy and enjoying the Ale, did I mention how wonderful it was?
Food?
The Farmers Arms was booked out by the time a quorum agreed to move on. Marg and I decided to try our luck and left the others. Arriving at the Stan Laurel we realised that this was the obvious place to eat, so we did. Finally I had an Ale here too.
Townhouse Audley Gold at 4.5% (Audley, Staffordshire) could not compete on the palate but was a fine mouthwash to accompany the Stroganoff type dinner. I was dying for a Curry-Heute.
Jonathan had come back to arrange the transport of some fine Pyraser and Tucher Weinachtsbier up to St Marys Mount. ?Stan! and Clive had headed off in search of Chinese, food, I believe.
With better directions, Marg and Hector found St Marys Mount in the dark, here the night party was already underway. The place is magnificent. This is a B&B? The seven had sole use of a very modern kitchen and an amazing upstairs lounge. I knew I had booked them into somewhere that looked impressive on the website, but this was way beyond expectation. I am told the Hosts looked after the group to their complete level of satisfaction. I suspect we shall all return here at some point in the future.
Howard had his Branded MP3 player in a dock and was broadcasting an array of sounds to the gathered assembly. It was someone else’s turn to try and take care of the fire. Asphyxiation became my concern. The ladies danced, they like that sort of thing. The Chaps watched; this is our role. Howard danced; he must be in touch with his feminine side.
Having suffered …, having put up with .., eventually Howard found Stargazer by Rainbow and I became a Happy Hector. Marg decided it was time to take me home.
This was originally planned as the last night of the trip, but Hector managed to persuade ten of twelve to decant east to the wonderful City of Bradford.
Mirfield next year? – the birth place of Jean Luc Picard’s alter ego…
The Pubs visited today:
The Stan Laurel – 31 The Ellers, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 0AB
The Farmers Arms – Market Pl Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 7AB
The Swan Inn – Swan St., Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 7JX