AN ODE TO CANOPY & STARS

Two months ago (to the day!) we sent two lucky winners on our biggest competition to date: The 2012 Great British Adventure. We have been missing our daily updates from Ed and Jenna - but when we found this on our doorsteps we miss them even more. Is it too soon to start getting excited about next year?

An ode to Canopy & Stars

A “Great British Adventure” was how it was sold,
so we sent in a picture, and a story we told.
When we found out we’d won it, we jumped up for joy,
An amazing itinerary and adventures ahoy!

In a sleeper train from London, to the North we were bound,
In Aviemore Walter greeted us, with his small loyal hound,
To the Beermoth we flew, in our vintage MG,
To be met with local produce, biscuits and tea.

A WW2 fire truck, could this be real?
With an old fashioned aga, and the cosiest feel,
Views of the Cairngorms, a bed better than home,
And fields to go wandering, for miles we could roam.

Spent the morning with reindeers, what a magical thing,
Then Full on John took us river tubing, in a big rubber ring!
What better way to conclude, than a visit to the pub,
The Old Bridge in Aviemore served us some quite wonderful grub!

The next day was peaceful, with Wooden Tom in the trees,
His woodcarving lessons really are the bee’s knees.
Our last night in Scotland went off with a bang,
For Walter’s birthday party, round the campfire we sang!

And so to the train, for the next leg of our trip,
With a bit of a hangover, Iron Bru did the trick.
The countryside flies by, into Cumbria we swoosh,
To be met by two horses, Bob & Charlie (and Katus!)

A gypsy caravan with Barney and his four legged friends,
The surprises on this adventure never come to an end.
A wood fuelled sauna is a sight to behold
But first for a lake dip, cor blimey its cold!

Wanderlusts take us wandering, it’s a peaceful pastime
To an old stone circle, then to the Watermill to dine.
Then off to Penrith, to our riverside lodge,
Tried our hand at some fishing, but those trout sure can dodge.

On to Ullswater we headed, for a great steamboat ride,
A walk round the lake, then to the lodge to get dry!
A wonderful meal by the wood burning stove,
To Riverford Organics, thanks for the food treasure trove!

So we jump in our Prius, time to head to the Hatch,
Homemade curry and beers, a delectable match.
Then Deep Elem arrive, for our own private gig
Their Blues music is extraordinary, till midnight we jig!

We are up with the larks for our high mountain climb,
Pen y Fan we have conquered; now it must be lunchtime!
To the Felin Fach Griffin we head for some nosh,
In the beautiful Brecon Beacons, this pub is quite posh!

Now its time to get dapper in our private tipi,
Fancy dress and a barbie, and the odd G&T!
Our friends come to join us and much merriment ensues;
The next day our heads hurt and we’re cursing the booze.

But mountain bikes await, and the cobwebs are blown,
Round the trails of Coed Trallwm we are skilfully shown,
Thanks to Mountain Bike Wales and the wonderful Phill,
We were swooping down red runs for a breathtaking thrill.

So, happy and exhausted to our final stop we head,
Head to toe in mud, they should have greeted us with dread,
But quite the opposite occurs and the welcome’s so warm,
Tea, scones and cake and croquet on the lawn.

When we really don’t think we can feel anymore glee,
We are shown to a slice of heaven, a house in a tree!
Charles and Linda at Harptree are a true pleasure to meet,
And provide a hamper of goodies, what a generous treat.

So the magical tour is over, the end is in sight,
To only say “thank you” just doesn’t seem right.
The people, the memories, all the effort you made,
Canopy & Stars you are legends, in the dream-making trade!