Friday

Charlie & Tim got to experience Simon's Tossler erm, sorry - Tesla. So, we stopped at Ferrybridge services to re-charge (and to have a Burger King lunch).

A music quiz was put together using 2 iPhones, a dump of some of Simon's "Now That's What I Call Music" songs, a quiz app, Tossler Tesla Bluetooth and our old friend, Anita Shazamitt!

It was more of Simon's era and genre but Tim gave him a good race.

The Tossler Tesla crew arrive in Keswick and visit Booths to get the weekend's groceries (and another a top-up charge). While they waited for Pete and Steve to catch-up, they went to book a restaurant table for Saturday night.

Good news: the food hygiene rating is no longer a 4.

Bad news: it's now a 1.

Good news: Dave isn't here so we're going to go anyway!

We all meeet-up in The Bank Tavern for a cheeky pint before heading off to the cottage.

On a quiet, straight piece of road, Simon does a 0-to-60 test (unoffical, 3-up and from tickover i.e. not the more usual "revving-&-breaking-then-break-off" start).

When the Tossler Tesla crew pull-up into the driveway, instead of the expected old Discovery, they are greeted with the sight of Pete's new Nissan Qashqai - yes, you read that correctly and no, it's not a wind-up. Pete has really bought a car (actually, he bought two but sent one back - long story).

The old fleet.

The fleet.

The accommodation.

We unpack and head-out to The Riverside Bar, Scafell Hotel, Rosthwaite for battered fish, beer and banter.

There is a good selection of condiments ...

... but just like last time, it's a good job Dave is not present because there's nowhere near enough vinegar!

Speaking of Dave, we toast absent friends (and, as requested, send the photo to Dave with our love and best wishes).

When we get back to the cottage, Pete is given a practical demonstration of what will happen to his manky, sweat-stained, old cap if he doesn't at least give it a wash. (That's strike 2 - and as Steve knows, it's 3 strikes and the matches are out!)

Saturday

Well, the intention had been to catch the bus to Buttermere and walk back, along the north ridge. We managed to miss the bus by 1 minute and so instead, we walked to Buttermere and got the bus back.

The weather was warm and dry.

The Usual Suspects

We walked past the slate mine at the top of Honister Pass.

We make it up to our first peak of the day.

The Usual Suspects

Steve spots a great place, with a view, just below the summit, to stop for lunch.

Piercy Pot Noodle Pic

Buttermere lake.

After a while, the A-Team break away to bag another summit, Dale Head ...

... whilst the B-Team saunter down.

A-Team summit pic.

We all meet-up on the ascent of Robinson.

It got a bit misty!

The Usual Suspects

The long descent into Buttermere took longer than expected and we were clock-watching, bearing in mind the time of the last bus home!

An old post box, with "GR" on it. Soon they will say "CR".

A big old bull looks on.

We had enough time for a quick pint.

Then it was time for the bus.

zzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Later, after freshening up, we head out in the Tossler Tesla to Keswick, for a tasty curry.

In keeping with Steve's recent trend of trying new things, he orders the Naga Chilli - it was hot stuff!

We head back to Rosthwaite for beers & banter. Pete eyes-up Sunday's suggested walk but can't believe his own map so gets a second opinion (whilst Simon gives us his best Satanic stare!).

Best drink in the world.

Sunday

The A-Team walked from Sealtoller to Keswick, up over the top of High Spy and Catbells.

The B-Team watched the Australian Grand Prix, walked from Sealtoller to Grange and got the bus to Keswick.

On the way out, Charlie spotted some damage to the Tossler Tesla. The right offside little mud guard had almost been ripped-off when, Simon thinks, we drove over the cattle grid, 5-up, on the way out of the pub car park. We manage to push it back in, enough to get us home. Simon said he would contact "Lord Elon of Musk" for help with a permanent fix.

Chain male.

Poser.

Thee's never a wrong time for a Jaffa cake (or two).

Tunnel or cave?

Oh, no - our path is blocked!

Clear water.

Clear sky.

By this time, the two teams are about level.

The cream teas at Grange were fabulous.

Simon tries his hand at stone skimming ... (Video)

... and then attempts to get back across the stepping stones. (Video)

Not a bad view while waiting for the bus.

Top-deck selfie - it's all about the lighting!

Catbells.

Fantastic blue hair! ...

... and the face of its owner.

At one point, thanks to a broken-down car and the maintenance van parked behind it, a caravan is gingerly towed past the bus, with only inches to spare.

The situation is not really helped when some smart-arse sat behind me shouts, "Go on, you could get a bus through there!".

The B-Team arrive in Keswick and decide to try-out the Wetherspoons, called "The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas", in the building that was the former magistrates' court and police station ...

... Charlie's pint of "Ruddles Best" was not the best taste but certainly was the best price.

Not the cleanliest of establishments - reminiscent of the "fly room" at the cottage.

Although, this fly was apparently just resting, as just after this photo was taken, it flipped-over and flew off.

Meanwhile, the A-Team where having fun exploring holes, reaching summits and descending into Keswick ...

The B-Team moved-on to "The Back Bar", a sports bar, to watch the start of Newcastle v Man Utd.

They left before the end of the fist half to meet-up with the A-Team at the bus stop.

We get back in time to watch the end of the match, with a great result for Simon.

While we were getting ready to head-out, two roaming sheep where spooked by a passing quad bike and ran down the drive ...

... so Charlie, even keen to secure content for this web-ste, videoed his effort to gently corral then back. (Video)

The moon is visible whilst we walk to The Langstrath for our table-in-the-bar-by-the-fire, booked for 7.30pm.

Beef, beer and banter.

And now time for a truly shocking revelation!

A few drinks later, chatting to Steve, he shockingly admits, after all this time, for the last 8 years he HAS actually had an internet presence!

Yes, he has a Facebook account (albeit, not actually set-up by Steve).

Whatever next??

Monday

After a breakfast of finish-up-anything-left and before we head home, we have a job to do - move hundreds of slates (from the old car port) to the bottom of the garden.

(There's another full row behind that one, under the tarpaulin.)

Everybody mucks-in ...

All done.

A quick tidy-up.

Time to wave goodbye to the Qashqai crew.

The Tossler Tesla crew stop at the Trafford Centre, Manchester, for a re-charge.

A total of 18 super chargers, nearly all occupied.

By the time we had walked to the shopping centre for a comfort break and back again, the batteries were about full enough to get us home.

And now, the return of The Caption Competition (from the cottage calendar) ...

... except, don't even bother because Charlie is the winner!