An Amazing Day Out

A National Trust event.

Tents and food trucks set up for the day.

A volunteer points the way to the finish--nearly there!

Young runners still have energy for a game of football.

The finish line--those who have finished cheer on those still running.

Going strong at the end.

The final push.

Some runners get more than just the satisfaction of finishing the race.

Apparently, the grass really is greener on the other side!

The rhododendrons are in full bloom.

A close up.

Two recent experiences lately have opened my eyes to the fact that the National Trust is more than a preserver of old and historic homes.  The one was a visit to Allan Bank and the other was today’s Grasmere Gallop.  Both indicate a Trust that works not just to preserve but to connect people with the past and the landscape in active vital ways.  When Chrissy was here last week, we took in Allan Bank as a possible site for our abroad students.  It was pouring with rain, and families were taking advantage of the warm and welcoming space inside.  Allan Bank has not been fully restored—purposefully so—and it creates a blank canvas for the imagination.  One room is devoted to art, and you will find art supplies and encouragement in that room.  Another is devoted to writing, and there you will find two typewriters. What we didn’t find were any whiny and bored children!  They were all banging away on typewriters, creating art, playing draughts with parents, or watching the red squirrels out the window.  Chrissy picked up a Trust pamphlet entitled “50 things to do before you are 11 ½"  I’ve since heard from her that her youngest daughter, an 8 year old,  has been excitedly crossing things off on the list, and Chrissy says that the pamphlet has given them hours of fun.

Today’s event, the Grasmere Gallop, is another reminder of this active side of the Trust.  The Gallop began this morning with the runners being bagpiped through the town.  Next came the actual races—a 5K, 10K, 17K, and a 10K Nordic Walk.  Oh yes, and the Teddy Dash for those 5 and under!  I wandered down to the village and sat on a stone wall with the Harwoods to cheer on the runners.  Just for fun, we cheered on some locals too, such as John from the Trust who rode by on his bike (well done, John).  It was one of those wonderful small town moments.  The Gallop also reminded me that so much of what the National Trust achieves is thanks to the hard work of volunteers.  At Allan Bank, all but two of the employees are volunteer (one paid employee and one paid intern).  At the race, volunteers stood at key spots to point the way and to cheer on the runners.  They were there too to keep the runners cooled with water at the end.  So hurrah for the National Trust and the many ways it entertains and educates the population.