Bongo Fury

The Hardknott Pass in Cumbria is a stiff challenge for any vehicle. When we first got our Bongo in 2007, our first mission (whilst still under warranty) was to find out if the engine & transmission were all good, so what better test than the steepest road in the land...



We’ve since done it a few times, and in February last year we did it in the snow which was filmed, unbeknown to me at the time, footage HERE for anyone who doesn’t fancy doing it themselves

Anyway, we’ve currently got a Spanish language student from Valladolid in northwest Spain living with us, Carlos Fandango as we call him, who has only seen London so far and wanted to see more of England. Also Jr has very recently passed his driving test and was keen to practice his hill-starts

So what better ‘education’ for Carlos than to go for fish, chips & mushy peas at the Arnside chippy, followed by the Windermere cable-ferry and the steepest roads we have – plus some rather nice scenery on a sunny day. And it would be a good chance to see if Bongy still “has it” after almost 9 years with us...


Windermere cable-ferry


Windermere ferry


Windermere ferry


From Windermere ferry


Windermere ferry


Windermere ferry


Windermere ferry


The Ferry House, Windermere


Wrynose Pass looking west, Hardknott Pass in distance


Wrynose Pass looking east


Between the Passes


Between the Passes


Between the Passes


Between the Passes


Hardknott Pass looking west


Hardknott Pass looking west


Hardknott Pass looking west


Hardknott Roman Fort


Hardknott Pass looking west


Hardknott Pass looking east


Hardknott Pass looking east


Hardknott Pass looking east


Hardknott Pass looking east, Wrynose Pass in distance


Wrynose Pass looking east


Wrynose Pass looking east to Little Langdale Tarn


Great Langdale


Windermere viewed from the top of the road appropriately named “The Struggle”


Brothers Water viewed from the top of the Kirkstone Pass

what a great day for a trip up there mate. and the bongo. - - - - - - is the hand brake still in one piece.

Yeah, Jr was in that beat-up blue Clio that's in some of the shots

Oh what a cracking day, looks like it was enjoyed!

Great pics mate. Been up and down several times in various vehicles, but not in the Bongo yet. Seem to remember one year, a cracking rock night at the Old Dungeon Ghyll, north of the pass. , on a small wild campsite near the pub. We were surrounded by bikers and had one of the best nights ever.

tanglefoot wrote:Great pics mate. Been up and down several times in various vehicles, but not in the Bongo yet. Seem to remember one year, a cracking rock night at the Old Dungeon Ghyll, north of the pass. , on a small wild campsite near the pub. We were surrounded by bikers and had one of the best nights ever.

Wotcha.

I've spent many a happy hour in the Old Dungeon Ghyll . . . .usually when I've been up there on the bike.

Here we are - coming down the pass, back in 2009

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaJLlmixiaI