Hello from just outside Cockermouth

[BilboWaggins]

If anyone was thinking of cancelling a visit to the the Lake District on holiday either in the near future or perhaps next year can I say PLEASE COME TO CUMBRIA, we are still here, we want to see our visitors and we depend upon you so very much. It took the local economy years to recover from the Foot & Mouth debacle after the media whipped everyone into a frenzy and told them to stay away - many of us are now worried the same thing is going to happen again.

I drove along the A66 this afternoon and witnessed the beauty of shafts of sunlight illuminating the fells beneath Skiddaw, the light reflected off Lake Bassenthwaite, the stunning views down Newlands Valley. All the natural wonders which make this such a fabulous location are still here and the north west of the region is not devastated as some news reporters might make you think. True, it will be a while before all the wonderful independent shops in Cockermouth are open again, but there are still hotels, B&B's and holiday cottages here that you would have a wonderful time in.

[its hilly]

Bilbo, can I second that!! My parents and friends have all been phoning over the last week or so, convinced by the news reports that ALL of cumbria is under water. My deepest sympathy goes to anyone who has suffered in the flooding and Im not belittling the suffering it has caused, but the best way to help is not to stay away, but to come visit, stay. There is so much to this part of the world that has not suffered, and the wonderful people who were born and bred here or have made it their home, will still have a warm greeting for you, despite their troubles.

[Jeanied]

Hi Bilbo and Hilly - are there any appeals going on right now? I've had so much fun in operation shoebox for our boys and girls in Afghanistan - is there any Christmas scheme afoot for people suffering from the floods?

[Eco-Chic]

If it's of any reassurance to you Bilbo and Hilly, as a radio junkie, I have heard requests over the weekend for rubberneckers to stay away from Cockermouth for a couple of days until bridges are assessed and diversions planned, but I haven't heard any suggestions re cancelling plans to visit the Lake District and other areas in Cumbria.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Support the Lake District!

I hope that because the Lake District is predominantly rural, the recovery to the area will not take long as it did for the poor sods in Hull, and Sheffield a couple of years ago - there are a comparatively few people affected this time round.

That's not to belittle anyone's devastation up there, of course but all that beautiful scenery that the tourists go and visit is still exactly the same!

Come next spring when the tourist season starts, there will be little difference to show for these few days - bar the odd diversion if a bridge or two is still out.

I hope the pictures on the news won't put people off visiting - I guess it will stop being 'news' very soon and everyone can get on with getting on with things!

It will take some time for the local traders to recover (I so hope that they can!) but if even Mrs Bell the newsagent in Main St, Cockermouth can say that they have found another premises (despite Matt Allwright pointing with some relish "just how devastated their lives must be as they have lost not only their shop but their home too - absolutely everything - so how do you feel tonight?") then there's hope yet.

I know that the FSB are offering interest free business loans - and there's also a site for donations for anyone who wants to help out at Cumbria Community Foundation: connecting people who care with causes that matter

[beefy]

As someone with a love of the outdoors I wish you all the best in getting back to "normality".The Lakes are a favourite of mine and I'm hoping to get to them soon to make a start on some fell walking . For anyone thats interested here's a link to a website were I have spent many hours taking in the views . This guys photo's are nothing short of brilliant.
theLakelandFells - Lake District fells photographic walking guide - enjoy .
Oddly enough just last week I started using this as my desktop background-

[HeyWayne]

I've never been to the Lake District, but would love to go. Just so blummin far away. Now that we are with Bean we don't plan on flying anywhere for the forseeable future, so will hopefully poke our heads round the door at some point. Whatever I've seen of teh place, and from what people have said it's stunning. Hope recovery doesn't take too long and isn't too painful a task.

[Nicos]

Glad you've escaped the floods.
My daughter is on the East side of the Lakes - and has been fine, although the fields are really, really boggy.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

I'm happy to hear that you haven't lost anything to the floods, the poor souls who have lost so much have my deepest sympathy. Hubby and I love the Lakes, we had our honeymoon there, so can highly recommend the area for a holiday. If our pennies are okay in the Spring I think it's time for another visit.

[Flummery]

Nice to have you back chuck!

[TheGirlsMum]

Wer'e travelling verrrrrry North (well from here it is anyway) to Coniston Water for the Festive Season

[TheGirlsMum]

And hopefully a peaceful season to you.
I'm sure my OH will be sampling much of the local falling down water.

[Hazel at the Hill]

I love Coniston, especially some of the local brews which do not measure their transport footprint in miles but in metres!

Now you're talking - that's what you call local beer!

At our local Nice Pub, they often have one of the various Jennings bitters (normally Cockahoop - which is jolly nice) as one of the guest ales which is brewed on Bilbo's doorstep. So in the spirit of supporting the local Lakes industry, at the weekend I marched in to Nice Pub and went straight for the Jennings which was being served.

Actually, as I found out once faced with a pint of the stuff, 'The World's Biggest Liar' was a brew far too heavy and licquorice-y for my taste, but I did feel that I'd 'done a bit to help' even so.

[BilboWaggins]

Actually, as I found out once faced with a pint of the stuff, 'The World's Biggest Liar' was a brew far too heavy and licquorice-y for my taste, but I did feel that I'd 'done a bit to help' even so.

I agree, some of the really strong stuff is too "chewy" for my taste. Try the "Cumberland Ale" (also available in Waitrose, Asda and online). A very nice brew that slips down far too easily.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Try the "Cumberland Ale" A very nice brew that slips down far too easily.

True - we've had it on draft in Flum's neck of the woods.

(also available in Waitrose, Asda and online).

Nah - beer tastes 'funny' from a bottle at home - for home drinking, I'll stick to the wine...