Jags,
It is a wonderful area to live for scenery and environment, not so good for things like healthcare out of hours.
I used to be in the sailing club opposite the first cafe stop at Lakeside, great place to sail if you like still water and very light fickle winds.
The last cafe stop is just over the road from where I lived in Flookburgh, just by Cark in Cartmel.
Cycling in that area is tremendous, but a lot like circuit training as it is all hilly.
Why did I leave, well love of a good woman took me to Dalkeith, Edinburgh where we are still living happily together.
But seeing those cycling photos makes me hope to move back there when remaining offspring have finished university courses, they live at home for now.
Julian.