Tourist Information Kindness
Things weren't going well at work, and after finally having a leave request approved, I decided to head off to the lake district for a little camping on my own. I needed 'Time and Space' to clear my head, read, wander, pootle about in hire boats, swim in lakes*, sleep; and generally postpone the looming breakdown.

This was a camping trip with a lot of firsts - first time camping solo, first time camping in this area, first time camping without a car to take the strain. So due to inexperience and the general rushed nature of the planning, I had only researched public transport to the vicinity of the campsite I was booked into. It was thus that I found myself in Coniston Tourist Information Centre, enquiring about buses (the one I'd arrived on was happily waiting outside for me in case his onward route would take me there; a lovely gesture in itself but not the memory that stuck. He had few passengers that trip, myself being the only one going all the way**, so we'd been chatting when it was safe to. I guess I've usually had good fortune with public transport staff.).

Now, due to cutbacks in government funding, it had looked a while ago as if Coniston TIC would have to close down (along with a whole raft of others nearby - I mean which eejit thought you wouldn't have many tourists in the lake district FFS!). It was now being run by dedicated local volunteers, which probably accounts for the exceptional service you usually only seem to get from people giving their time for free.

One of the ladies within quickly advised me that the bus waiting was not going the right way (so I could pop out, thank him, and let him proceed with minimal delay). Another bus route would take me about halfway there but wouldn't arrive for a long while. So long that I calculated it would be quicker for me to walk (it wasn't an exceptional distance, but I was hauling a full pack with stove, food, sleeping bag, mat and a tent; so I didn't fancy the idea in the sunny weather).

However, she said she was driving to somewhere near the campsite in five minutes, to make arrangements for the arts festival beginning tommorrow, and would I like a lift? I gratefully accepted, and soon we were zipping off towards our mutual destination. She dropped me off at her destination, fortuitously just five metres from the campsite office.

So I was able to skip a two kilometre hike in the summer heat with a heavy load, unsure of my route and destination, that would have left me hot, sweaty, tired and wanting a shower, and with an unfamiliar tent to set up before any comfort. I realise that if they'd been paid staff there might have been hefty insurance/liability problems with giving lifts, but even volunteers would have had just cause not to offer. Naturally, I made sure to make a generous contribution (for a shop assistant anyway) towards the TIC's upkeep, when I popped in later that week.

* yes, it was that warm.
** no sniggering at the back!
(The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Fri 3 Oct 2008, 1:03, 2 replies)

dude!
I'm from coniston, i think i may well know who you are talking about (it could well even have been my mum) so have emailed this post to her to read/pass on. Hope you don't mind.

I hated a lot of my childhood there, it was a dark time in that little village for a wierdo goth type but i can honestly say there were some amazing folk and as the years have rolled on there are many more. Its now one of the finest communities i have had the pleasure of knowing and the shear amount of work the various volunteers and general populous put in is stunning. If i could find the work i love (and afford somewhere bigger than a kennel) i'd move back like a shot.

Thanks for your post mate, you made me remember my home town with the fondness it deserves.
(DreddPirateBob has watched every scifi film ever on, Sat 4 Oct 2008, 9:52, closed)

You're welcome, dreddpiratebob. I hope they're managing OK up there. I have nothing but fond memories of Coniston from all my visits. My current desktop wallpaper is of its cloudy blue sky.

Those electric boats you can hire are a visionary idea. Now you can motor around without noise or fumes marring your (or others) enjoyment.

And I wonder if that bloke with the funky 2CV still runs Copper Mines youth hostel? Waking up a few feet below cloud level was strange and beautiful.

It's long been my dream to live and work in the lakes. Yes, the traffic sucks, bank holidays even worse, but it just feels right.
(The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Thu 9 Oct 2008, 2:45, closed)