tea

Walking in Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

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Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

The weather this morning was bright and clear – excellent for walking in the snow, as long as you take gloves, hat, warm jacket, decent boots, thick socks, etc, etc.

The snow in most places was a couple of inches deep although from time to time it was much deeper.

My boot sunk in more than a foot of snow
My boot sunk in more than a foot of snow

Craigellachie National Nature Reserve is a short walk from Scandinavian Village and is very close to Aviemore – it is a great place to explore and take photos.

The frozen lake through the trees Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

Frozen lake Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

The lake was frozen and had this mysterious “Superman” logo on the ice.

Superman logo on the ice

The view through the trees Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

I cleared the snow from the end of a bench and had a brew up, using my MSR Titanium mug and Alpkit Kraku stove, a great lightweight and efficient combination in the cold weather. Hot tea and cake, sitting in the winter sun shine.

Making tea with my MSR titanium mug and Alpkit Kraku stove

I forgot to pack my sit mat so I had to sit on my gloves and hat as the icy bench was far to cold to sit on without insulation.

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Snow, rain, wind and hail

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That is how the morning started so Alex and I decided that the only cure for such a day was a full English breakfast. So it was off to The View Cafe Morecambe to see what their’s was like.

The View Cafe and Vintage Music, Morecambe

I had a chance today to take some photos of the memorabilia.

Memorabilia on the walls of The View Cafe Morecambe

45s The View Cafe Morecambe

Newspaper if the day Elvis died

The spam menu

This is not the type of spam I am used to dealing with!

… and here is the breakfast.

A full English breakfast The View cafe in Morecambe

This cafe is great, they have the usual range of items on their menu you would expect from a sea side cafe – and spam (although we did not try it). The breakfast we had was well cooked and serve hot to our table and there was extra tea and toast included. I would recommend a visit.

The weather did change and we could eventually see across the bay to the Lake District.

The Lake District from Morecambe

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Walking on Morecambe beach

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With more extremely high winds and storms forecast for the afternoon I took advantage of a sunny, bright and only breezy morning to walk along the beach at Morecambe.

Morecambe beach Lancashire
The tide was a long way out.

Red boat on Morecambe beach Lancashire

 Morecambe beach Lancashire
click on the above image for a larger version

Iron birds on Morecambe promenade

I stopped for tea and a bacon roll at The View Cafe and Vintage Music, on the seafront, it does have a great view across Morecambe Bay. The place mats were a bit unusual.

Vinyl records as place mats - The View Cafe and Vintage Music Morecambe

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Walk to Warton Crag

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The view from Warton Crag across Morecambe Bay towards the Lake District.

The view from near the trig point on Warton Crag looking over Morecambe Bay
click on the above image for a larger version

Fern leaf

Warton Crag foot path passes through this gap

This morning Alex and I walked from Pine Lake out to Warton Crag. Once we were on the top the wind off the sea was so strong that it was difficult to hold the cameras steady, so rather than continuing onto the coast we came back!

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Photos from Thirlmere

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Photos from Thirlmere

Lakeland stone bridge

The day started overcast, but Alex and I headed out anyway to see what photos could be found. We headed towards Keswick and stopped off by Thirlmere and got some pictures in between the showers. However the showers got heavier and the wind stronger so we headed home…

Bryson's Tea Room Keswick Lake District

… after a stop off at Bryson’s Tea Room in Keswick for tea and plum bread toast.

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Coffee at Northern Tea Merchants @TeaMerchant with @alexkingsley

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I went across to Chesterfield today to see Alex and he took me to the Northern Tea Merchants for coffee and a cake. What an experience.

The first thing you have to do is choose your beans, then they freshly ground your choice before making the coffee just for you. Whilst they make you drink, you take a seat in their “interesting shop” and then your food and drink is brought to your table. No hanging around in that pack of customers waiting for your coffee to be given to you like you get in the chains!

Alex and I chose the same beans and had a cafetière for two (6 cups), a choice of cream or milk, two cakes and change from £7.

Northern Tea Merchants Chesterfield

This is the coffee we chose:

Cuban Serrano Northern Tea Merchants Chesterfield

And I bought some to take home.

Coffee from the Northern Tea Merchants Chesterfield

I have driven past this shop many time when going to and from the Peak District and did not know it was there – but next time I am passing I am going to stop and get a coffee.

They sell tea as well.

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