Birthday Party

Last Saturday was the first 50th Birthday party we went to for one of our contemporaries. It sounds like a big number but we're just not feeling old, except for the fact that we jibbed on camping in the snow...

Ina, Liam and Scott, waiting for the train



Our guide on the Carlisle to Settle Railway

We joined Mark Haslam, and lots of his other friends, not all train buffs!!, for a weekend of walking, train rides, good food and of course good beer. It was snowing when we arrived at Appleby station and continued all day, so our walk became a longer train ride as us old folks didn't fancy getting lost in a blizzard on the Yorkshire Moors. But this did mean we got to visit the signal box at Settle station (very warm and more exciting than expected by some of us) and a water tower being converted into a house.

And then to the Naked Man for a cuppa and cake.

Mark treated us to a weekend of precision organisation including an excellent night celebrating his Birthday. 

  

The Water Tower



Waiting for the results (and a bag of carrots for the losers) 



The following morning was no exception; a treasure hunt. Our team - Scott, Ina, Paul and Jen got the bobby prize for dawdling. There just wasn't enough time for chat as well as clues! 

Either side of this railway-inspired extravaganza, we stopped in Kendal for more fantastic food and some snowy walking with Neil and Pilar. Our worries of being snowed in were unfounded though, as we got home to yet more drizzle.