Written by Callum Barnes & David Bloor
On Friday the 28th November 2014, 8 Year 11 boys from the BTEC Countryside and Environment group went to the Lake District to explore the many sites there.
We started off our journey by going to Scout Scar which gave us a magnificent view of Kendal and the Southern lakes. We then went up to the summit and stood inside the observation point. On its roof we saw details of the whole area engraved onto one long metallic panorama. Once we had been there we travelled down to Tarn Howes which was a lovely walk through the wooded valley with wonderful waterfalls to the lake that is one of the most perfect in the whole National Park. Strangely enough though – it is not natural, it was created by a wealthy Victorian businessman.
We then travelled to the fantastic Coniston copper valley which has been scared over the centuries by copper mining; it had some amazing features for example: the large lake, abandoned youth hostel, huge waste tips of coloured rock and mine levels heading deep into the earth. All of us ended up getting a bit wet crossing the braided river channels, stepping over stones isn’t as easy as it looks!
Around midday we went down to the picturesque town of Ambleside where we stayed there for an hour to have our lunch and wander around the little shops which make it the tourist centre for the Lake District.
Once we had finished our lunch in Ambleside we drove down to the edge of Windermere to ascend a famous mountain. Orrest Head was the first peak Alfred Wainwright ever climbed, it set him on a monumental life that would change the landscape for millions – his crowning achievement, the production of 7 hand drawn pictorial guides to all 214 of the Lakeland fells. You can see why the summit inspired him, the views were the best in Lakeland – we could see all the way to Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.
After descending it was past 4pm and night had drawn in. We went down to the shores of Lake Windermere, and in honour of Wainwright Mr Machin treated us all to his favourite food – chips!
Unlike our trip to the Dales (we got stuck in traffic for 3 hours!) we had a pleasant and quick trip back to Sandbach. Everyone was exhausted after a very eventful day. Michael slept in until 2pm the next day!!!
