SO with a renewed enthusiasm and contemplation at the thought of Christmas, accomodation brochures were eagerly thumbed page by page for the percieved "Shang-ri-la." The foreboding of the iminent Noel, was slowly gathering pace, as minds were focused on the days ahead.
A short list was assembled, ammended and agreed, before an even shorter list finally highlighted what would be our targeted establishment.
In an effort to avoid the traditional heightened Christmas Eve traffic debacle. We decided to venture a day earlier than initially intended - forethought, which would prove doubley inspirational and advantageous, given the relatively sparse motorway movement - compared to later tail back bulletins.
Egress day duly dawned and with spirits spirraling, we began our three hour journey,beneath a nebulous sky, nevertheless, our passage through the lakes in all its primeaval beauty, was to say the least 'awe inspiring,' - although we had seen it a thousand times before.
But even that riot of winter colour and harsh specktacle of the snow tipped Lakeland Fells, couldn't detract from the upcoming 'Diamond of reality,' - Blackpool.
The 1,036 feet sumit of Shap, was as ever - dark, bleak and ominous, as we travelled onward. Before taking a timely 'pit-stop' at the picturesque Killington Lake services, prior to the final leg of our journey to a icy Blackpool.
.......... more to follow!
