Highlights of the Walk…

31/05/2007 by the walkers.

A Tribute to some of the Wonderful Guest House Hosts

“I was a stranger and you made me welcome ”. Matt. 25 v35

Tomlin Guest House at St. Bees is painted a bright pink and overlooks the Irish Sea. Irene Whitehead was the ideal hostess who kindly invited our chauffeurs Margaret & John Docherty, indoors when their car broke down just after they had deposited us! As soon as she had provided tea for the four of us the R.A.C. mechanic had arrived and sorted out the fault. Her hospitality set the tone for the next eighteen guest houses.

Nook Farm in Borrowdale; after a horrendous day in the blazing sun and heat of the Lake District we arrived at Rosthwaite later than we expected. A warm welcome greeted us at Nook Farm where next door is the Yew Tree Farm Tea Room which is visited by Prince Charles and Camilla when they stay in the area. Nook Farm is a National Trust traditional working hill farm set in the heart of the valley of Borrowdale surrounded by spectacular lakeland fells. Later that night we dined at the Scarfell Hotel only to be invited to hear the Bishop of Carlisle giving a presentation there. Well, we only come from that area, don’t we? It’s like taking coals to Newcastle!

Glebe House, Patterdale; we were aware before arriving in Patterdale that, in her absence, Mrs. Pool’s husband would greet us when we arrived; however there was no one to be found when we rang the bell. “There’s a man in that big boat in the builder’s yard, ask him”. To which Eddie, like an obedient husband, approached the boat. From where we were standing the boat appeared like the Biblical Noah’s ark it looked so tall. Straining his eyes he shouted to the boatman. Five minutes later we were shaking the oily hand of Mr. Pool who had a tea tray ready for us and provided clothes pegs to hang out our washing. It’s the little things that make such a difference!

Crown & Mitre Hotel, Burns Bank; at Burns Bank after another sweltering day’s walking, a phone call to the new owners of the Crown & Mitre hotel afforded us the luxury of a car ride to the hotel some miles away, as, being ‘out in the sticks’ there was a dearth of accommodation. The 19th century Inn coincidently was featured in our local newspaper ‘Cumberland News’ showing the new head chef outside the hotel, so we were aware of the lovely setting just 10 miles from Penrith on the Lake District National Park.
However Keith Fazey gave us first class treatment and together with his partner was very personable. Taking us to a newly furnished bedroom, later on we enjoyed a beautiful meal downstairs, it was good to dine indoors for a change. After a peaceful night’s sleep, next day he drove us to the spot where he had collected us the previous day.

A certain guest house; at a certain guesthouse we were not welcomed before 5.00p.m. despite the fact that as walkers we need to refresh ourselves and present ourselves at the local pubs for the evening meal, before preparing for the next day’s travel. So we had to wait around for some time before the door opened and we were shown to our room. However the proprietors did waive the price of two packed lunches generously telling us to put the money towards the charity – another special touch.

The Manor House, Kirkby Stephen; this 17th century elegant Georgian style mansion featured a large guest lounge and oak panel doors with latches. Jean Leeson greeted us warmly and volunteered to wash our clothes. She also insisted her husband run us to a favourite eating place out of town despite a good variety nearby. We dined with other walkers in her large kitchen next to her aga cooker and watched breakfast being made. Happily we were able to spend an extra day at this place as we had a rest day to attend Sunday Mass.

East View, Keld; this was an unusual guest house with wonderful pine furnishings and flooring. Our room looked straight out on to the Dale which we had traversed. Evening meal was provided in the kitchen/dining/sitting room. Mr. & Mrs. Brier were excellent hosts. Again we had reminders of home; the only other guest was walking the Pennine Way and planned staying at the Greenhead hotel the next week – a stone’s throw from our house.

Scarr House, Grinton; was chosen as we had stayed there some years ago on The Herriot’s Way walk and received first class treatment from Mrs. Kathleen Brown. Her beautiful farmhouse overlooks the picturesque village of Reeth where she drove us for our evening meal. We sought out the same pub and encountered other fellow walkers whom we bumped into during the next few days.

The Old School House, Danby Wiske; what an exceptional guesthouse. Mr. & Mrs. Philips ‘rolled out the red carpet’ to ensure our fellow walkers of that day received a special greeting. One had a Birthday and her husband had arranged a celebration, thoughtfully ensuring a pile of brthday cards were redirected to the guesthouse. The proprietors put aside their personal dismay that day on receiving some serious news and Eddie & I were included in the celebrations. The window was decked with ‘Happy Birthday’ wishes and the cake and drinks were beautifully presented in the guest’s lounge. We felt part of the family and the Phillips were perfect hosts. In the course of conversation, it transpired that Mrs. Philips was once a pupil at the school, in what is now the kitchen/ dining room. The ‘changing room’ transformation of the schoolhouse is very tastefully achieved. And so we raise our glasses to this wonderful couple who made us so welcome – they certainly could teach us all a lesson in true hospitality.

McAvoy Guest House, Nunthorpe; On day 13 of our walk, Tony and his wife Lynne having kindly offered us accommodation collected us from Clay Bank and returned us next day. The welcome we received from them and their son Stephen is already covered in the blog diary, however suffice to say we felt ‘home from home’ and we treated ‘right royally’.

Sycamore House, Danby Dale near Whitby; on the day we arrived at this guest house, we had tramped the North Yorkshire Moors for what seemed hours on end. The light rain turned heavy and unrelenting and we were very exposed. When we arrived at The Lion Inn, the highest point that day, we were relieved to know that the proprietor of Sycamore House was on his way to collected us. Despite the misted-up car windows, we could tell this was the heart of the Dales. We received a warm welcome and made to feel ‘at home’. We discovered that this 16th century guest house was visited by George Fox where he conducted marriages and funerals. Indeed the Quakers were very dominant in this valley as evident by the cemetery nearby.

Mingo Cottage, Fylingthorpe; Margaret Nobel’s 16th century white stone cottage, which takes four guests, is our favourite guest house, as we have stayed there every year since our honeymoon. We have always promised Margaret that one year we will ‘do the walk’ and we finally managed it. Her own personal style and presence is a treat. She insists her guests use her own lounge and she makes wonderful cakes and biscuits. What a great way to end our tour of guest houses.

Conclusion
For many of the B&B’s, welcoming walkers is a vocation as well as a service. They truly encapsulated the Gospel message, to welcome the stranger. Each one provided service with a difference and in doing so ensured our stay was more than a bed for the night. It was also a lesson in hospitality for us.
We raise our hats, or should it be, we take off our boots, to all these wonderful people who provide a great service to all their guests. They are the real ambassadors for the country, these unsung heroes and heroines, quietly going about their business with little recognition but doing a superb job. Long may you continue to serve us all.

(Met our ‘Guardian Angels’ in the next blog.)

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