We left Cleethorpes on a fairly dull looking Saturday morning with a weather forecast for the week to match this. As usual a route M180/M18/M62/A1/A66, stopping at Mainsail farm shop a few miles along the A66 from Scotch Corner. A full English breakfast, a few provisions and we headed West on the A66 for Penrith.
Our accommodation for the week was just outside the village of Greystokes near Penrith, and we stopped at the Booths supermarket in Penrith for supplies, and arrived at our accommodation around 3:30 pm
Dairy Cottage is in a cul-de-sac around a mile from the village of Greystokes. The unique thing about this property and the half dozen or so others here is that it is part of the original Fort Putnam which is a listed folly. The folly was built by the Duke of Norfolk as one of a number of unusual dwellings on the Greystoke Estate. Standing in grounds that command superb views of Saddleback, the Eden Valley and Lake District National Park.
The proper is long and narrow all on one floor, with a large lounge/diner, good sized main bedroom and a 2nd bedroom with twin beds. There is a small kitchen and a bathroom with bath/overhead shower. A hallway leads to a utility room with 2 decent bikes provided for use by guests, washing machine and a door onto the lawned area at the back shared with adjacent property. Excellent view out the back.
Took a short walk down the road and along a lane with views to what is left of Fort Putnam and Dairy Cottage which is located behind the right side of the fort where you can see the round windows.
Excellent views, and below the lawned area behind the cottage.
The forecast for Sunday was not too good, so we had booked a Sunday Lunch at the Horse & Farrier in Thelkeld. An excellent quality Sunday roast with quality local ingredients. Highly recommended, but you would probably need to booking advance like we did a few days before we travelled.
http://www.horseandfarrier.com
Monday
The forecast was a little better, though a fair chance of rain later, so after breakfast we decided upon a local cycle ride from the cottage. This would take us through Greystoke and in a loop around local villages and lanes and was a shortened version of a 31 mile route I had from Penrith, making it around 18 miles.
So we set off around 11am, heading down the B5288 to the village. A right through the village and a fight fork towards Little Blencow, we passed the Bikers Cafe on the left (calling there later on the way back round). The roads and lanes were not too busy, and even less so past Little Blencow village,
After Little blench we took a left along a quiet road, and the terrain became a little hillier, having for the first few miles enjoyed some pretty flat and downhill terrain. It then started to rain, dampening spirits a little, along with the uphill pushes.
After passing Skelton village, Ellonby, and Lamonby we passed near Greystoke Forest. The views were pretty good out towards Blencathra and surrounding fells.
The rain eased a little, and for the remainder of the ride was on and off, but a little easier later.
The uphill sections persisted, though they were not too steep, but some fairly long stretches, and less downhill in the middle section of the ride.
A nice long flat straight section after a left turn round the back of Greystoke Forest, and then a final push up a few short uphills gave way to an exhilarating long downhill into Greystoke village.
We finished by riding back through the village and retracing the beginning of there route to the bikers cafe, and a well earned hot drink and lemon drizzle cake. An excellent place to stop.
http://www.greystokecyclecafe.co.uk
After a half hour or so reset, we headed back to Dairy Cottage with a bit of uphill work along the B5288.
An excellent cycle slightly spoiled by the weather. A few long uphills, but not too steep, and some downhills at the start and end, finish with a treat at the cafe!
Our Cycle Score: 8/10
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