You can't have it both ways Buck(?). In these days where the north/south divide is as big as it ever was, you need to decide which side of Watford your allegiances are. So are you a namby pamby shandy drinking politcally correct southener or are you a man?
Up north (can't do the local dialect) there's Coniston Old Man, Coniston Bluebird, Dent Ale, Yates Ale and Jennings, and that's just in one pub. All far better than Boddies.
Cumbria is "God's own country" and that's from a southerner. Instead of aiming to scale all the peaks I am now organising my walks to be near a pub at lunchtime. Coniston Old Man is pure nectar. I sail out of Fleetwood and can get to Whitehaven in a day. Very good sheltered marina with friendly staff and a lady (not woman) who takes pride in keeping the wash rooms spotless, and with a new lock gate manned around the clock. Access is practically 24 hours, apart from an hour or so either side of a spring low. My weekend's sailing is either to Whitehaven, IOM or Conwy. Further afield is Ireland but yet to venture there. From Whitehaven you've got the Solway Firth but, again, I've yet to go there.
My wife is from Yorkshire so I think that folk treat you how you treat them, regardless of any so called north/south divide. My mother's family came from Newcastle but we keep quiet about that.
Our boat is currently in Pwllheli, but we're leaving for the Med. in June. Cumbria is going to be (hopefully) our UK base, so if you fancy any crew over winter you know what to do! Just whistle.
I'm a fair weather sailor and take my 26 footer out for the winter, as I don't think the expense of the marina is worth the few odd good sailing days in winter. I don't know whether my boat would cope with the winter storms we get in the Irish Sea but I'm sure that I couldn't.
My winter pursuit is fell walking hence the knowledge of Lakeland bitters.
Enjoy your summer in the Med.
Ont lakes its boring once thas been up lake a few times that geets bored outofthee scone.
Geet thesel into Bay at Roa Island and experience the pleasures of sailing round Walney Isle.
Regards
Bluebeard
Was that before they developed it or into a nightclub or after?
So your moving to Cumbria Eh
I live on the Border at Kirkby Lonsdale
Cumbria is nice good sailing to .
Maryport is a good place to sail from and the marina fees are reasonable.
Regards
Stuart (Bluebeard)
I motored up to Barrow last summer from Piel Island but didn't try to get under the bridge. How high is it?
What's the name of the pub across the causeway from Roa Island. A good pint of Wadworths 6X there when I called. Not a northern beer but a rival to Coniston Old Man.
Sadly, the tense has changed. The survey on the place we were going to buy was not good. The place was ideal, superb views, walking, sailing, not to mention the ale. So, we're homeless from the 19th. My brother has offered us a caravan!!! Well, there's always the boat, but a three hour commute to work until July doesn't enthuse me either.