After our walk to the Centre of Britain
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we swapped drivers and I took the wheel down to Carlisle, where Bob had the unenviable task of capturing Carlisle Castle, without obstructions, from the passenger seat with a huge truck tailgating us and preventing a stop. He had a few shots but got there in the end
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So out of Carlisle, another place where road alterations since the map was printed in 1982 made life tricky, and off to find the AA box.
As we left the city we spotted this remarkable chimney, which a certain Fred Dibnah must have missed, and then drove through some lovely countryside:
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- Own work - Dixons Chimney, scene of a sad suicide in 2019
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Until we came across this classic European gem which may delight members with a penchant for Swedish cars!
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We continued towards our quest admiring the beauty of the northern lake district:
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I had marked a circle on the map where I expected to find the AA box and it turned out to be right in the center, so I was able to park a bit before it for the initial shots and then, due to other cars, I had to go past it and park at the head of the layby to get the "French car with AA box" shot for the AA Box Challenge thread:
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Just down the road from the box we came across a tribute to one of our great groups which we had not been expecting:
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Highly appropriate for our September Stroll I thought!
On to join the queue for the Windermere Ferry where Bob took the opportunity to get us an ice cream while we waited. I recorded the boats moored in the lake while we rested, until our turn to board the ferry which only takes 8 cars at a time:
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After leaving the ferry the road down the east side of Windermere is fairly plain compared with the ones we had travelled earlier so the camera stayed in the glovebox. I had plotted a route using the M6 to get us down to Lytham in time for a stroll around the town before dinner and it was just as well that I did. Arriving in Lytham we had our first major issue on the whole Stroll. Our hotel on Booking.com was described as the Innkeepers Collection, Church Road, Lytham.
No problem we thought, we'll just drive up and down Church Road until we see it!! We didn't know there are two Church Roads in Lytham, what a dumb idea that is!! And we didn't know our hotel was actually called The County Hotel, Booking.com strikes!!!! Eventually, about 45 minutes after reaching Lytham we found the hotel on a corner just across the road from the beautiful memorial gardens:
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The hotel's parking was limited and full but we found a space across the road outside the bank. The notice said "These parking spaces are for the use of Lloyds Bank customers only." Well I am one and it didn't say anything about hours so I parked in the corner protecting the car from passers by and other potential nuisances and we went to check in. We were very impressed with the rooms having huge beds, double showers and I would estimate 36" TVs.:
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Having settled in, we went for a stroll in search of dinner and found the enchantment that Lytham has to offer:
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After a good look round and checking of various menus we selected The Queens Hotel which boasted a seafront terrace and a decently priced menu. I sat down and made my choice and Bob went inside (one only under Covid) to order. He rang me to ask what beer I wanted and I said "You know what I like, whatever you choose". A few minutes later he returned with two pints and placed one in front of me "What's that then?" he asked. I went through my beer tasting ritual and pronounced it to be either Theakston's Old Peculiar or Marston's Pedigree and saw his eyebrows raise, I plumped for the Theakston's and was rewarded with a well done from the waiter who had just arrived with our cutlery. He now exhibited great respect for these two southern vagabonds who had had the temerity to visit his pub and not order the hotpot!! A feather in the cap for our misspent youth!! Having got that out the way we settled down to take in the sights around us as dusk was drawing in:
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Once we had consumed our dinners, desserts and more Old Peculiar, we felt ready to turn in and set off to return to the hotel. As we rounded the first corner I was delighted to see the Sodium lights, following recent FCF discussions on the subject, and took the opportunity immediately:
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Then, leaving the Sodium lit street we passed the gardens which had greeted our arrival and I was impressed with the night time lighting, which hasn't really come out here:
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With that image lingering in my mind it was time for bed to prepare for day 4!!
according to the sign on the gate. I did get a picture for our signs thread but I seem to have mislaid it somewhere in editing so you'll have to take my word for it 
it was time for another great drive along the arrow straight route:
Seeing all your photos makes me want to 
