There's snow on them there Cumbrian Fells and the winter gear's prepped and ready for the off when the opportunity arises.
But there's a dilemma. Something twisting in my mind that I've got to get straightened out before I can commit to another visit...
During the current post-flooding clean-up and repair operation, would my going be a drain on the resources of the area or would it help to contribute to the local economy?
Just getting there could be a strain on the transport infrastructure, what with the trashed roads and unsafe bridges that are the focus of repair gangs and the Army. I'd planned to stay at one of the YHA hostels and maybe eat and drink out, but I can't see that much of the spend would benefit those who are in most need. Besides, I'm sure that the LDSAMRA would have better things to do than to chug up a hill to stretcher me down if the need arose. They're all volunteers from the local community, they've been involved as rescuers during the recent disaster and no doubt they all know somebody who's suffered because of the deluge. I don't want to be a potential distraction while they deal with the aftermath of the floods.
Maybe the best thing for me to do is to stay away for a while and let them concentrate on getting the basics sorted out. In the meantime, a contribution to the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund via The Cumbria Community Foundation website or to the Cumbria Flood Appeal 2009 via The Wainwright Society's website would seem to be the best way to ensure that help gets to the folk that need it. John Hee recommends supporting MREW's Basecamp, more details here.
The people and places of Cumbria have given me much joy over the many years that I've been going there.
It's time to give something back.
I think you should go BG! The promotion and encouragement of spending in the area is vital to them I think at the moment. If too many people think the way of should I go or not then they will really miss out and have yet another problem financially. Thats my way of thinking. The people of Cumbria love people like us who appreciate their problem and love their area and do our best to promote and conserve it. I reckon if you asked ahundred people who lived there they would mostly all want you to visit! J.
I hear what you say, Jamie, and you're probably right, but I don't think that I'd feel right about it just now.
It would be a bit like having a beach-holiday in Indonesia the week after the 2004 tsunami.
"A cheap holiday in other people's misery!", as the song goes.
@BG! -
Hello from West Cumbria
The roads aren't trashed, the bridges (apart from one) are not closed and apart from the main street in Cockermouth everything is open for business. You would do us a great favour if you carried on as normal, just as most of Cumbria is doing. Come and spend and enjoy!
"During the current post-flooding clean-up and repair operation, would my going be a drain on the resources..."
If you're going to be any sort of drain, that can only help.
😳
Ahem.
Feel free to delete that if it's insensitive.
@ Gary: Many thanks for taking the time to comment on here to give us the opinion of a local, instead of the news-hype that we see on the telly every evening. I will discuss the matter with my better-half, and try to blag a weekend pass.
Of course, when I'm dragged off the fells by the MRT, I'll tell them that it was all your idea
@ Scott: I'll let Gary rate the possible insensitivity of your comment, as he's more qualified to do so that I will ever be 😀
Good timing, though, bearing in mind that Gary's comment wasn't authorised at the time 😎