Planning Our Lake District Rugby Weekend
When we found out that Charlie’s team was playing Wath Brow Hornets, a rugby league club in Cumbria, we knew the three-hour drive from home would be a stretch on match day so to avoid a pre-match rush and ensure that Charlie was well-rested, we decided to make a weekend of it!
Our search on Booking.com led us to a fantastic deal at The Kellbank in Gosfortth, a charming hotel just 15 minutes from the rugby club, offering a family room for four with breakfast for only £125. A bargain for a Lake District getaway.
The Scenic Drive North: Country Roads, Cows & Chaos
Mark managed to finish work early, and we set off shortly after 5 pm. Leaving behind the glorious sunshine and blue skies. The journey over the steep country roads was certainly an adventure, with visibility dropping and the twists and turns demanding extra caution. Adding to the excitement were the frequent road blockages – not traffic, but the local animals! At one point, we were stopped by a herd of cows casually strolling down the hillside completely blocking the road. The boys found it hilarious. I, on the other hand, was gripping the steering wheel and praying we didn’t slide off the hillside. It was a true taste of rural Cumbria!
A Warm Welcome at The Kellbank
Despite the weather and livestock delays, we arrived at The Kellbank just after 8pm and met up with friends who were also staying there, before heading to the on-site restaurant. The hotel restaurant served up some truly incredible, top-quality pub food with generous portions. I went for the steak and ale pie, which was full of flavour and lots of steak. The boys devoured their burgers and we all left the table full and happy.
After our fantastic meal, we enjoyed a few drinks in the cosy bar, enjoying great company, while the boys happily disappeared into the games room to battle it out on the pool table. It was the perfect end to our Saturday, a night filled with laughter and good conversation.
Fueling Up for Match Day and Rugby Action!
Sunday morning began with an early start. We headed down to the restaurant, all of us opting for a hearty full English breakfast – exactly what was needed after a few drinks the night before! Fully refuelled, we checked out and made our way to the rugby club, awaiting the arrival of Charlie's team on the coach.
The match against Wath Brow started out a close game with both teams trading tries tries but Wath Brow went ahead in the second half to take the win. Midway through the 2nd half, the referee blew the whistle and called Charlie off the pitch due to blood. What we initially thought was just a bloody nose turned out to be the result of a head-on-head collision, leaving him with a rather prominent black eye.
Post-Match Wind Down: Streams & Stone Skimming
After the final whistle, the boys on Charlie's team proudly donned their "shit shirts" for the coach journey home, hoping to avoid any forfeits, it helped to lift their spirits despite the loss. Charlie headed back with his teammates on the coach so we waved them off before leaving ourselves.
We took a short detour to a pretty spot nearby, a little bridge crossing a shallow stream, where we enjoyed a peaceful walk. Mark showed Louie how to skim stones, and both of them had a quick paddle before we hit the road. It was a peaceful moment that wrapped up the weekend perfectly.
We arrived back, picked up Charlie, and decided to forgo cooking, instead heading straight out for a Sunday dinner. Despite the rugby result, it has been a wonderful family weekend, packed with great food, friends, and the thrilling (and sometimes a little worrying!) world of rugby. The Lake District proved to be the perfect backdrop for another family adventure!
Add comment
Comments