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...of activity on the forum since I have been away........
Far to much for me to catch up on but a quick glance shows the 'lefties' have been at play peddling the usual deficit denying fantasy island nonsense we have become so used to. Well, its back to real life now, the silly season is nearly over and we will be back into some real-life news and real-life problems. One thing a week in The Lake District has showed me, there is a real economy out there working hard based around successful and innovative small businesses.
I stayed in Ambleside, to the north of Lake Windermere and went out from there to explore the Lakes and all the small towns around. One day we went over a very difficult pass heading west marked 'extremely hazardous' staying in first gear in parts going up (or down) what seemed almost impossible slopes..... On another day we went Segway off roading.... best fun you can have on two wheels......
One of the great things about the Lake District is the lack of big chains... No McDonalds, no Burger king, KFC or Piza Express. Many, many small pubs and restaurants, all locally owned serving great food of a huge variety of cuisines and a massive selection of real ales, some of the best I have tasted.
One of the best meals I had was a 'beer tapas' at the Hawkeshead Brewery accompanied by fantastic beers. They really should franchise this idea country-wide, it really worked.
If you love good beer and food, not to mention great countryside and do not mind a spot of rain then I would really recommend a 'staycation' in The Lakes.