Guide to The Lake District

 

Anyone coming up to the Lake District would find this guide very useful. It is very different from the usual small format Cicerone guide. This is hard backed and A4 size, the drawings and information are very similar to Wainwright's original guides. The book is part coffee table and part guide book and certainly a source of inspiration. However, it does seem currently out of print but can be found on line from S/H dealers.

 

The Amazon River

 

As you head south on Coniston and pass Peel Island you will arrive at Nibthwaite. From here the River Crake continues to flow and further 8km south and onto where is enters the sea at Greenodd. In Swallows and Amazons this is also the real location of the River Amazon and Octopus Lagoon. It is easy to explore in a canoe or small boat.

 

The link below will take you further and show the course of the river to Allan Tarn. It might be possible to complete this trip in a Dabber when the level of the lake is high but not recommend in a larger boat. Judge for yourself.

 

http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?42029-An-Evening-On-Coniston-And-The-Crake

 

The Winkle Brigg is owned by another club member, it has all the style and design of a much larger boat but is produced in a smaller package.

 

http://www.winklebrig.org/

Coniston Rally - 1 to 3 July

 

The weather forecast did not look great for the weekend and certainly the conditions on Saturday provided all those who went out with a "sporting" sail. Although some boats tried a mainsail, these were soon put away, leaving jib and mizzen the standard rig for the day. However, by early afternoon the wind gusts continued to rise and everyone returned to the club before the really heavy rain arrived.

 

Although the rain did not totally stop for the evening BBQ, it did ease enough for everyone to sit outside and show a resilient attitude.

Sunday dawned with much lighter winds and even a touch of sunshine, which meant everyone could get out, either sailing down for lunch at Brown Howe, or landing on Peel Island. Alan produced a Lancashire Hot Pot, which he cooked in a plastic bag just by adding cold water, true magic! There was also a treasure hunt, looking for anagrams of famous nautical people.