Lights, Camera, Action!

Wainwright summits Great Gable

The war memorial (just in case you thought he was stood on any old pile of rocks)

A rare picture of Wainwright and the author together.

Calories! That is how I would describe our week in the Lake District. Calories burned and consumed.

Grasmere can be described as the up-market part of the Lakes. It is a village tucked in beside the main road between Ambleside and Keswick, which are both more commercial.

I gained the impression that Grasmere is a village in conflict. The reception I got when I ventured into the village newsagent/toy shop/bookshop/tourist-crap shop was somewhat muted. I checked my shoes, but no, I hadn't trodden in anything. There is this sense that the tourist hordes, whilst bringing welcome pounds, yen and dollars into the local economy, are a blight on what could be an idyllic rural lifestyle. Something that most of us only dream about and hence we flock towards the area in our thousands and fantasise about a better life.

But what the residents of Grasmere may lack in warmth they make up for in their sense of humour. Nowhere is this more evident than in the cost of everything. I drew funny looks as I wandered round the only supermarket, looking at the price of the goods on display and shaking my head whilst muttering: 'You're shitting me!'

There are no traditional village pubs in Grasmere, only gastro pubs. When my eldest son arrived he wanted to take his brother and me out for a meal. We ended up eating in a bistro because it was cheaper than going to any of the pubs. The village motto is: Want fast food at reasonable prices? Sod off to Keswick then.

But, like most things in life, you get what you pay for. All the meals we had were excellent and our lodge was very comfortable with a range of stunning walks from the doorstep. The lodge was situated slightly away from the village. It was quiet and peaceful. I was woken a few times though by the local wildlife - a passing barn owl and on one occasion I swear I heard a coyote.

A year ago I went camping near Keswick with my two sons and set off on the Newland Round, a walk I had wanted to do for ages. It is about 10 miles long and takes in 4 peaks. The casual way I embarked upon such a bloody gruelling experience is proof that in my head I am still 20, whilst my body occasionally suggests I am nearly 80. Constantly lagging behind my boys at every ascent and my knees complaining at every descent was a humiliating experience. Even my dog was ashamed to be seen with me.

So this year I trained hard prior to going to the Lakes, and it was worth it. Four mile runs around the lake before breakfast, swimming and gyming at the leisure centre and a variety of walks were the pay-off for my hard work. Even our Nintendo Wii is proud of me - awarding me a fitness age of 28. Luckily it can't see me.

The toughest walk was up Great Gable. My poor little Westie dog had to be manhandled up some of the early climb as the steps between rocks were too big for her short legs. The views from the top are among the best in the Lakes. I can't confirm this though as the last 1000 feet of ascent was in thick cloud, so we could barely see each other when we got there.

There is a war memorial at the summit and every Remembrance Sunday people trek up there with wreaths. Remarkable. It humbled me into committing to the effort of walking half a mile to the local cenotaph next November.

On my return home I delved into the pleasure and the pain of my accumulated mail, both real and electronic. Going through my email I had a nice surprise - I had been offered a part in a film! A low budget film is being made locally. It centres on three former schoolmates in their 30's meeting up again. A chap playing the father of one of the leads had fallen ill and could I play the part? Sadly, no. An immediate response was needed in order to film on the weekend of my return. Being away, with no internet access I was unable to respond in time so they had to cast someone else.

I'm not downcast though. I'm amazed that I should get such an offer. It's still very early days but what my gap year is showing me already is that adventure isn't just something you find on safari in Africa, it is all around once you open yourself to the opportunities.

And on a further positive note I have been invited to an interview with a casting agency in Leeds with a view to being lined up for some Extras work. It might turn out to be a con, but I'll let you know what happens.

Until then - Live long and prosper.