Friday 11th August

We woke up at 6am, and took the 7.29 train to Euston. We had 45 minutes to kill so we had a drink in Virgin's first class lounge (because dad managed to get cheap first class tickets by booking in advance). Then we got on the Lancaster train - a pendolino - and we had first class seats. We had fruit juice, croissants and cooked breakfast, and then Pete has 2 cans of coke and dad had about 5 cups of tea, all courtesy of Virgin trains. We talked the whole journey to a couple opposite us.

At Lancaster we caught a train to Barrow-in-Furness, talking to a girl with £150 purple boots, and with time to kill we went into town and had a pizza. Unfortunately we just missed our train and had to wait another hour - and so began our cards tournament. Score at Barrow Station: 2-2. Then the train to Ravenglass arrived - a single carriage train. The weather outside was good and the views got better and better.

At Ravenglass we got onto a steam train, sat in an open carriage and headed up the valley. However, the line was blocked by cows, so the driver had to reverse until the farmers could get the line cleared. We arrived at our station and walked to our hotel.

Then we put on our boots and climbed a hill. The bracken was really deep and Peter led the way. There were loads of bilberries. At the top we got amazing views on all directions. Scafell and Harter Fell in one direction, and the sea in the other direction. It was really clear and we could see Scotland in the distance.

We came down the hill and went through Eskdale village to a pub where we had chicken and chips and ice-cream. Then Peter found a short-cut path back to our hotel. It was a beautiful peaceful evening. We made hot chocolate and played cards. Final score for the day: 6-3 to Peter. Tomorrow we head for our cottage and really see our mountains close up!