Our first adventure (which was very small and not very adventurous)

A gentle day out, not had one of them for far too long. Lovely drive into the Park after breakfast and a cheeky turn into a road which clearly said it was closed.

Which it was - but a little local knowledge can be a very useful thing and I knew I could still get to a small car park on the far side of the water.

Blue Bus enjoyed a terrific view all day:

When I eventually managed to tear myself away from the van and go for a walk it was rather lovely. In perfect temperatures and sunshine I was able to stroll along the closed road knowing the only vehicle I might encounter was the odd bike. Super views as I wandered along under Helvellyn, near total silence and it was quite, quite lovely. Until I got to the United Utilities version of The Bridge of Khazad-dûm - You Shall Not Pass. Only you could if you clambered over a small wall and went around a rocky outcrop, which I chose not to do. So just a couple of miles on foot but very enjoyable they were.










I had a plan after that: lunch back at the van, then a walk in the opposite direction. Lunch was great, but I got too comfy, way way too comfy and spent the entire afternoon relaxed in my Blue Bus and read nearly a whole book. I kept thinking "wasn't I meant to be doing something else?" followed by "nah, the walk will still be here next week" The unaccustomed and total rest did me good, I think.


And the cherry on top of a perfectly iced cup-cake sort of day 🧁? I saw Helen Mirren! No, not that one:



This one:



She was parked outside a rather lovely pub/restaurant and what looked like production crew were getting stuff out of the back, I couldn't stop to take a photo so the dashcam will have to do.


The verdict from my first full day in Blue Bus?  💐 Absolute Result 💐 . It is a very, very different experience from being in Bill, just about everything has to be done in a different, very intentional way but that's absolutely fine. I admit to having been a teeny bit concerned about how I would find the reduced "living" space (which is about a quarter of what I am used to) but it was lovely. Can't wait to get out next week and do it all over again ☺️ .