LAKES TOUR 2023

This trip will be a time to deepen your commitment to the direction your life is taking or loose it toward a new direction. For further inspiration, we will spend every afternoon amid the mountains and lakes that surround us, hiking the hills and arriving at small pubs and hostelries for the evening meal. Each morning will begin with a talk by David, bringing poetry to bear on the insights he has gained through over twenty years of examining the necessities of work, career, and relationship, providing food for thought for the day’s hiking.

THE PARTICIPANTS. An eclectic, often an international group of 30-35 fellow adventurers interested in David’s work and the focus of the trip.

ACCOMMODATIONS. The Farmhouse and cottages of Bank Ground Farm are set on over 60 acres of breathtaking Lake District countryside with private lake frontage and panoramic views over Coniston Water to Coniston Village. Bank Ground Farm is a working farm, rearing both cattle and sheep. Its farmhouse dates back to the 15th Century, with exposed oak beams and open log fires. Rooms are shared with one other person, with a limited number of single rooms available for a supplemental payment of $600. If you would like a single room, please be sure to check the box on the application form. Please note that we are not able to guarantee en-suite bathrooms or studio accommodations, only a private bedroom. Even with a single supplement, you may still be sharing a bathroom.

THE WALKING AND HIKING. Participants, besides contributing imaginatively to the conversation, should be physically fit and able to hike for five hours over rugged terrain. The region is mountainous, and some of the hikes have significant elevation gain. Please be as realistic as possible in assessing your abilities, as the hikes are an important part of the trip experience.

A WORD ABOUT MEALS AND DIETARY RESTRICTIONS. We will share breakfast each morning in a common room. In addition, the tour cost includes one of the other meals per day - either generous packed lunches or dinner. You will need to be prepared to buy one lunch or dinner per day. Meals will be buffet feasts or packed lunches, depending on our walks or travels on a particular day. There will always be a hearty vegetarian option, as well as fruit and vegetables. We do our best to cover all bases, however, if you are gluten-free, vegan, or have other food intolerances, please bring along a few things to fill in the occasional gap, as there is not a market nearby.

AMENITIES. Bank Ground Farm has WIFI. Cell phone coverage is uneven and only some networks get a good signal. Vodafone works best. There is a coin-operated laundry room for guests.

ARRIVAL. We will be meeting at Ash Farm which is 7.4 miles from the Manchester airport and will require an Uber/ taxi. Make sure that your flight arrives no later than 11 am and plan to rendezvous around 12pm at Ash Farm for afternoon tea. David hopes to leave the farm by 1-1:30pm. Coffee, tea and a light snack will be provided before heading off to our host farm for the week, Bank Ground Farm. PLEASE NOTE that Ash Farm sometimes has problems with Sat Navs (GPS) and their postcode. There is a river at the end of Park Lane and some Sat Navs take you to the wrong side of it. If you use WA14 4SU, this brings you to the right end of Park Lane. Drive to the end of the lane. Ash Farm is at the bottom of the lane on the left just before The Swan with Two Nicks Pub.

DEPARTURE. We will transport you back to Manchester Airport on the morning of July 7th, arriving a minimum of two hours early for flights departing on or after 10:00am. If you need to depart before that time, you will need to arrange a taxi at an additional charge.

PASSPORT. Unless you are a UK resident, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond your travel dates.

COST. Total cost for the tour is $4500. If you request a single room, there is an additional charge of $600, bringing the total to $5100.

WHAT THE TRIP PRICE INCLUDES.
David’s services as a seminar leader and local guide. All accommodations for the nights of June 30th through July 6th, inclusive. All breakfasts. Either lunch or dinner each day, at David’s discretion, depending on the day’s activities. All transport in-country during the trip and return to Manchester airport on the morning of July 7th, 2023. NOT INCLUDED: Airfare. Lunch or dinner each day, depending upon the day’s activities.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND PAYMENT. We do not accept participants on a first come, first served basis. Instead, we collect applications through January 15th, 2023, and notify you of the status of your application on January 31st, 2023. If you are accepted on the trip, the first payment of $2200 is due January 31st in order to secure your place. If you apply after January 15th, 2023, we will notify you of the status of your application within 30 days. The second and final payment of $2300 ($2900 if you have elected to have a single room and its availability has been confirmed) is due April 30th, 2023. Please note, we only accept payment via credit card.

CANCELLATION POLICY. If, after acceptance, you need to withdraw your application prior to April 30th, Many Rivers will retain $500 of your deposit. If you withdraw after April 30th, Many Rivers will issue you a refund, minus $500, only if we are able to fill your spot. If Many Rivers cancels the tour at any point, all accepted applicants will receive a full refund.

CURRENCY AND SPENDING MONEY. The currency in England is the pound sterling (GBP). You are advised to bring at least $40 US per day for a meal, drinks, etc. - more if you wish to buy local items, or if your appetite extends to the gourmet. Credit cards are not as widely accepted as in the U.S., however, there is an ATM in Manchester Airport.

WE STRONGLY ADVISE THAT YOU COVER YOURSELF FOR BAGGAGE, ACCIDENT AND
TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE.