The Lake District, at the top of the map. Hours in the car. Traffic jamming across the horizon.

Lunch by a river. Ducks. More traffic. Tired heads.

The destination. Windermere. The Mortal Man. The ancient stones. The cold ale. The restful beds.

The morning hike to Ambleside. The cloudless sky. The rolling hills. The fluffy sheep. The mountain pass. The empty trail. The peerless view. The happy travellers.

Worth it. Every second.

P.S. two warm recommendations for your next trip to Windermere:

• Enjoy a cake at Lucy’s on a Plate in Ambleside.

• Stop for a pint and free WiFi at The Mortal Man in Troutbeck.