Kirkby Lonsdale

I awoke good and early but drifted off to sleep again and the next thing I knew it was 9.20am. There was no sign of Mr C and no sign of a cup of tea so I leapt out of bed, at which point Mr C, having been distracted by something on his computer, realised what time it was!

After making a cup of tea Mr C packed his bag and we set of on our journey to Newcastle, slightly later than intended. Our intention had been to have lunch in the delightful town of Kirkby Lonsdale which we had accidentally found on a detour on a previous trip. The SatNav was predicting that we would arrive there to late for lunch so when we spotted a suitable tea shop in a garden centre near Sandbach we decided to stop there instead. I opted for an egg sandwich which was delicious.

The SatNav in Mr C’s car seems to have a mind of its own and shortly after lunch we arrived at Crewe which should have taken us about an hour from where we live but by this time we had been travelling for two hours. We hastily reprogrammed the SatNav to a different route type and continued on our way arriving in Kirkby Lonsdale in time for afternoon tea and a cake.

Unfortunately Mr C nipped into the cafe and was almost seated when I arrived through the doorway. It would have been a lovely cafe for lunch but it didn’t do cake so I settled for a cup of tea. As we left Mr C noticed next door another tea shop (with a window full of cakes) and realised that this was where he had been aiming for, having seen it as we drove past. I was reminded of our recent trip to Elan Valley when a similar thing happened. I see a theme emerging…

We ensured that the SatNav was programmed for the fastest route and continued towards Newcastle. We drove through some delightful Yorkshire countryside and were taken off our normal A66 route onto the A67. This took us past Barnard Castle and Raby Castle, both impressive, which we intend to go back and visit when we have more time. On our final approach to Newcastle the Angel of the North revealed itself as if by magic, one moment it is quite hidden from view before appearing as if out of nowhere.

Welcome

We checked into the hotel then made our way to our room where gentle music was playing and on the dressing table there was a lovely note welcoming us back and wishing us a fantastic stay. As we had arrived later than intended there was no time to chill out on the roof terrace before dinner.

Walk This Way

A Roof Top View

The restaurant was busy due to a couple of large groups and our food, although delicious, didn’t arrive exactly as ordered. The steak arrived with fries rather than chips and my fishcakes arrived without the salad that was advertised on the menu. I did query this but was told that the fishcakes only came with fries (not fries and salad). On checking the menu again later, I realised that I was right and the waitress had been wrong.

P1020530

We had a well earned nightcap in the snooker bar before retiring for the evening.

10 Comments CherryPie on Oct 2nd 2018

10 Responses to “Jesmond Dene & Cornhill – Day One”

  1. Amfortas says:

    On holidays, even weekends away, all should be perfect. Is it ever? The very odd occasion when perfection actually eventuates is something for a diary, to be remembered forever. Meanwhile we muddle through and get pleasantly surprised by a small act of kindness. Well done Leanne Cheek.

    The deck looks quite Oz-like. :)

    • CherryPie says:

      It is human nature to aim for perfect (our view of perfect) but it is the things that don’t quite meet to or the things that exceed that view of perfect that we remember with fondness over the years.

      The rooftop deck is wonderful and we were gifted with the perfect weather to enjoy it :-)

  2. Nothing ever seems to go completely to plan with holidays but what a lovely welcome to the hotel.

  3. Alan says:

    It all allows very civilised. I trust you made Mr C suffer for taking you into a cakeless-cafe :)

    • CherryPie says:

      I didn’t make him suffer but I told him the error of his ways ;-)

      I think I need to engage you to mentor him in the art of ‘Cafe = Cake’ :-)

  4. I don’t often get personalised welcome like that.
    But then I don’t usually tip them. ;)

  5. Shabana says:

    i am glad dear Cherie that you are visiting one the most green and beautiful area now days :)

    liked the all images that show your calm stay and little bit of surroundings!

    yes without piece of cake morning seemed incomplete for me either but how sad that i can’t take cake as first meal of the day now

    during rush hours services of hotel get messed up here too ,best thing is to not indulge in argument :)

    • CherryPie says:

      There are some beautiful green spaces and open spaces in the British Isles. I know I am lucky and I enjoy sharing the beauty :-)

      I quite agree, there is no point in getting into an argument. It wouldn’t improve the dining experience ;-)

      We provided feedback on the restaurant when we checked out of the hotel.