New Lake District ‘Bike Bus’ service launched

The Lake District is a popular destination for mountain biking, family cycling outings and road riding alike (Seb Rogers/Future Publishing)

Saturday 4 May saw the launch of a new ‘Bike Bus’ service in the Lake District. The Stagecoach 800 runs the full length of  England’s largest lake, Windermere, and has been specially converted to carry up to 12 bikes.

The new route includes the following popular stops around Windermere and links in with the ‘Bike Boat’ ferry shuttle from Brockhole to Wray:

• Ambleside (Kelsick Road)
• Brockhole, the Lake District Visitor Centre
• Windermere train station
• Bowness-on-Windermere Pier
• Fell Foot Park
• Newby Bridge
• Lakeland Motor Museum
• Lakeside& Havethwaite Railway

For 2013, the Bike Bus will run on the following dates:

• 4 May – 14 July (Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays)
• 20 July – 1 September (daily)
• 7 Sept – 28 Sept (weekends only)

Claire Maclaine, programme manager for the GoLakes, supporter of the Bike Bus service, said: “The Bike Bus is another great way to help people to explore and enjoy our stunning landscape without the hassle of loading up car bike racks and fighting for parking spaces at the other end. This regular service is geared up specifically for the needs of cyclists and is ideal for families to hop on and off at a range of locations running the full length of Windermere.”

Two new leaflets are being produced to complement the service, ‘Rides from the Bike Bus’ and ‘Days out from the Bike Bus’. Printed on waterproof paper, they will both be available from late May. Alternatively, a full timetable can be viewed online.

Sustrans’ National Cycle Network route 6 runs east from Windermere, linking riders with Kendal and going on through the Howgills and Yorkshire Dales. There’s also a short family friendly bridleway ride on the west side of Windermere, through National Trust land, that can be accessed via the ferry that runs from Bowness-on-Windermere.

It’s about 20km to cycle the length of the lake one way, and there are mainly minor roads and bridleways on the west side and main roads on the east.

What a day – Will it last

Lake District Sunshine

Now the weather is so good you will want to maximise on your opportunities and enjoy a break in the Lake District and soak in the views as shown in the picture.

We have many great offers and discounted properties to help reduce your costs, so book now and enjoy the sunny Lakes.

http://tinyurl.com/bpwbzew

Daffodils appreciating the view

Lambing Season Continues in the Lake District

Newborn Lamb resting after delivery

Saw this sight on the way to work – a newborn lamb still struggling to find its feet.

The lambs this year have been very staggered with some having grown quite big already, yet more are still being born. A nice sight especially when the birthing happens so near to the walkway.

Newborn Lamb

The Lake District vigilantes

The warnings couldn’t be clearer – there has been an outbreak of civil unrest in the Lake District.

The area is “not best known as a battleground” points out i, nor is it “a traditional hotbed of British social and political activism”.

Over in the Daily Telegraph there is a warning that visitors should “watch out” for vigilantes.

And offering some much needed analysis, the Times says that the issue is “threatening to split” a community.

But wait, what is this all about? With a bank holiday approaching Paper Monitor is alarmed on behalf of all those planning a visit.

Oh, of course, it’s a disagreement over dry-tooling.

A group calling itself the People’s Climbing Front of the Lake District has been sabotaging equipment used by people who take part in the activity.

Paper Monitor doesn’t spend as much time hanging from cliff faces as it probably should, but understands that it’s all about using ice axes and crampons on bare rock instead of icy precipices.

Participants use it as training for winter climbing, critics say it damages the “naked” rock.

So, at a disused quarry near Coniston, the “protesters abseiled in with bolt cutters to carry out their work, or climbed the face armed with hacksaws” and got to work on the safety bolts and clips left in situ by the dry-toolers (if that is a term).

The Works is popular for dry-tooling — but purists say it damages the landscape
Westmorland Gazette/Cascade News

It is not a happy state of affairs.

Speaking out against the activists in i, professional climber Alan Hinkes says: “It’s a shadowy thing to do, because they are not saying who they are, which is vigilantism in one way.”

Others have called the action “petty vandalism by purists”.

Meanwhile, the British Mountaineering Council has called for dialogue, says the Telegraph.

In the first known case of direct action against dry-tooling, the group said it chopped safety bolts from high rock faces and a cavern roof in Coniston Photo: Alamy

It all sounds very stressful.

But, whatever the rights and wrongs of it all, Paper Monitor is pleased that it’s unlikely to be directly affected.

Time for a nice, quiet stroll.

via BBC News – Paper Monitor: The Lake District vigilantes.

Talkin Tarn Picture

Talkin Tarn near Brampton, Carlisle

Talkin Tarn is a 65-acre lake amid 120 acres of farmland and woodland, making it the ideal place for active recreation or a quiet stroll.

Other Benefits
• Enjoy the sylvan setting of Talkin Tarn
• Walk the 1.3 mile circuit, feed the ducks, browse artworks
• Suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs
• Children’s play area next to tea room

Book a cottage this weekend for a short break http://tinyurl.com/c4lc2ue

Talkin Tarn

BBC News – Lake District ospreys: new pair at Bassenthwaite

Lake District Ospreys: new pair at Bassenthwaite

The birds have been identified as a new pair

A pair of Ospreys has set up home in the Lake District, with experts hoping for a 13th breeding season.

The birds are thought to be different to ones which have nested at the site in previous years.

A total of 24 chicks have been raised near Bassenthwaite since 2001, when ospreys returned to the area after an absence of more than 150 years.

The Lake District Osprey Project (LDOP) said it would be “fantastic” if more arrived.

Distinctive markings

Nathan Fox, of the LDOP, said: “We are really excited to have these two birds at the nest site.

“It’s interesting they are different birds to previous years.

“The female is unringed and we believe she is a different bird, but the male, who is also unringed, is definitely a new visitor here as he has distinctive markings.”

The Lake District Osprey Project is managed by a partnership of the Forestry Commission, Lake District National Park Authority and the RSPB.

Volunteers provide 24-hour nest protection, and staff the viewpoint at Dodd Wood and the Whinlatter Visitor Centre, where there are plans to screen live “nest-cam” pictures.

via BBC News – Lake District ospreys: new pair at Bassenthwaite.

How to Get Your Lost Luggage and Unclaimed Baggage Back | Airport Lost and Found – Worldwide Lost and Found Database

How to Get Your Lost Luggage and Unclaimed Baggage Back

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Airport Lost and Found Staff

The Woes Of Airport Lost And Found

Millions of bags are lost or mishandled every year. Because of the headache it causes, many frequent flyers try to fit all of their belongings into their carry-ons whenever possible. Even the most well-known and trusted airport, such as DFW and JFK, lose hundreds of bags a year.

Bags are lost for a variety of reasons. Among the most common causes are bag-tag mix-up and mistake identity. Over half of misplaced bags happen to passengers with connecting flight, especially in cases where there are short layovers. Passengers are encouraged to be part of the solution by making sure proper contact information is on their luggage. Some even suggest tying a brightly colored bow or ribbon to luggage to make it stand out. This can make finding it at the baggage claim much easier and reduces the chance someone else will take the wrong bag accidentally.

In addition to lost checked-baggage, there are many individuals items people loose at the airport. Some items are lost throughout the airport others are left behind on plane seats. When returned to terminal employees, they are stored in airport lost and found areas, often right with unclaimed and lost bags.

In the case of missing items, it is best to take immediate action. Find an employee and report your problem, providing as much detail as possible on the missing items. Additionally, here at AirportLostAndFound.com, we can help you locate your missing articles. On our site you can file a lost property claim or search our listing of found items. Individuals can also post items they have found. We work with a large number of airports to get your items back to you in a timely manner. Most large American airports are included in our database including Atlanta, Newark, Denver, San Francisco, Miami, Minneapolis, Ronald Reagan National Washington, Detroit and Chicago.

Check out our infographic for some helpful information on lost baggage and then feel free to explore the rest of our website.

unclaimed baggage

via How to Get Your Lost Luggage and Unclaimed Baggage Back | Airport Lost and Found – Worldwide Lost and Found Database.

Snowy Picture

Geltsdale enjoyed a nice layer of snow yesterday.

Updated Cover Picture

We have updated our cover picture on our facebook page.

Which do you think is the better picture?

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This is a great face! by Bear Nibbles

Family bath time!!

Let’s see who can come up with the best caption?