Friday, April 24, 2009

Cumbria 4/5

Thursday was overcast and drizzling so we stuck to the local National Trust properties. These included Townend house, The Beatrix Potter Gallery and her home at Hill Top. After a quick foray into Ulverstone and a hike up Hoad Hill we headed back to Bowness for grub at Jackson's Bistro. Friday was our last day and I was determined to walk off at least some of the food we'd scoffed. With OS map in hand we followed a dozen or so pensioners out of Grasmere and lumbered up the hill to Easedale Tarn. Once up top we fended off ducks and gulls to eat our lunch before trundling back down (with most of our dignity intact) and headed home.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Cumbria 3

On Wednesday we headed North to Keswick and visited the Cumberland Pencil Museum. This was an unexpected treat for me and included a chance to see the largest pencil in the world ~ mmmmm, pencil heaven. After this exciting start to the day we stepped it up a gear and headed into the national park. Following a brief introductory course we were soon swinging through the trees like orangutans at Go Ape (great fun!) Finally we headed west to Castlerigg Stone Circle and then back to Windermere for a curry.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Cumbria 2

Tuesday was a little overcast so after picking up leaflets at the Tourist Information we headed to Blackwell, an arts & crafts house built around the turn of the century. As well as an impressive architectural creation in its own right, the property has a small collection of ceramics and art from the same period. In fact we decided to acquire a smallish piece to take home in the shape of a vessel by James Hake. Since the weather brightened we headed for a walk up Brant Fell, overlooking Lake Windermere before then heading out to Troutbeck for another pub meal at The Queen's Head.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Cumbria 1

Our holiday started with a leisurely drive North, stopping briefly at Dunham Massey (NT), just outside Manchester. The weather was so glorious that by the time we arrived at Windermere I think the squinting into bright sunlight had given us both a headache. After a cup of tea at our B&B - Gillthwaite Rigg - and quick excursion through Bowness we ended up at the Mason's Arms for a very nice pub meal.