Day 28: Troutbeck - Mockerkin

After yesterday's epic thrashing, we deserved a good rest tonight. Well, no. Wind. Rain. And more wind. And more rain. The camper was swaying as if we were surfing in the middle of the Irish Sea. Me with my ear covered by the cushion, daddy Edu curled up like a snail. Sleeping, as in sleeping... not much. And on top of that, with aches in all four legs (and in daddy's two).

We left around 10, with our spirits somewhat deflated and the sky like a used mop. But come on, we are adventurers. We drove for barely fifteen minutes until we reached Castlerigg Stone Circle. What's that? Well, a circle of prehistoric stones, older than hunger, located on a small hill with spectacular views of the valley. They say it's more than 4,000 years old, and although it's not as famous as Stonehenge, it's quite impressive... or it would be if it hadn't started to drizzle just as we got out of the car. Even so, we saw part of the circle under a grey sky that seemed angry with the world.

Then we continued by car to Keswick, which sounds like a sneeze but is a pretty nice town. We parked in the center for 3.70 pounds and went for a walk. The atmosphere was lively despite the intermittent rain. Yes, it seemed that every other store sold boots, backpacks, waterproof jackets and things like that. All mountain gear. Here if you don't wear Gore-Tex, they look at you strangely. We strolled around looking at shop windows, without buying anything, because with all the rain we already have enough liquid in our wallets.

As there wasn't much more to see (nor did we feel like getting our tails any wetter), we decided to go up a road so narrow that the car had to suck in its gut. Seriously, we passed a bridge that left our rearview mirrors with post-traumatic stress. But the view in the end is worth it: Surprise View. It's a viewpoint hanging over the valley, with a brutal landscape towards Derwentwater. The name doesn't lie, it really surprises. Parking was paid, but only with coins. And of course, us, with our modernity and without a single miserable coin. So daddy Edu jumped out, took a couple of quick photos and we left before someone threw us out with an umbrella in their hand.

We continued west, about 35 kilometers on roads that snaked like nervous worms. Just before the place where we are going to sleep, we passed a parking lot that we had seen on Park4Night. It had good views - a small lake, cows, hills and all that bucolic stuff - but it was on a slope and too open. In contrast, the parking lot where we are now is more discreet, surrounded by vegetation on both sides, without views but also without anyone seeing us. It's further from the road and that's appreciated.

There we ate inside the camper, which after so much shaking had already won our affection again.

The afternoon was for relaxing. I took a nap like only a dog exhausted can do, and daddy Edu took out the tools. He wanted to properly install one of the cell roof closures, which was loose. He also installed a little light that flashes inside the cell every time he locks the car with the remote control. Now at least we know if it's properly locked or not, which before seemed like an esoteric mystery.

The wind continues, but not with the rage it had last night. Tonight, if the weather gods allow it, it's finally time to sleep like a log. And let's see if tomorrow the clouds realize that enough is enough.