Dull and dreary Lakes District

Wednesday 6th September

A travelling morning across the edge of the Yorkshire Moors. Called in to see a village called Giggleswick, just because of the name. Found there a massive Grammar School complex, like something out of a British novel - quite expected Harry Potter to pop out from behind a bush. As we passed through small villages and a couple of larger towns we felt we gained an appreciation for the moors country - neat farms, often on the side of hills, and rougher, rocky, heather clad land  higher up - there were still sheep up there though.

As we got closer to the Lakes District the clouds got heavier and lower. We stopped at extremely busy Windermere for a quick (expensive) lunch and then travelled on towards Keswick. Unfortunately by now the cloud was very low on the mountains and it was very murky and grey.

Our accommodation in Keswick is quite delightful. Built in the 1890's it is 2 stories high - we are on the first floor, with a gable slate roof and attached to the houses on either side. In fact the whole street consists of buildings of a similar vintage and theme although  some variations are apparent. Our room is quite large and we have a view down the street opposite which has similar homes - we will be able to watch the children walking to school in the morning. We are only 5 mins walk from the town centre which is quite delightful - large, car free square with the former town hall in the middle and plenty of room for people to spread out and many shops and eating venues. After a roast pork pub meal we went for a walk to nearby Derwent Water which has some lovely gardens and parkland on it's shore. Even though it was quite gloomy we were able to appreciate why people love holidaying here. Hopefully we will see some of the views tomorrow.

Thursday 7th September

The clouds seemed higher when we got up at 7.30 am but by 9.00 am it was raining and did not stop all day. It was also cold and windy and we were a bit tired of it by day's end. We did get out and about. First stop, Dove Cottage, home to the poet William Wordsworth for some years in the late 1700's and apparently where he did some of his best work, including that well known poem about daffodils. We had a good guided tour of the house - 3 rooms down and 3 rooms up, and there was a very well set out museum which gave insight to his life and to the lives of people living in the Lakes District at that time.

The desk is where Wordsworth worked.

Lunch was at the village of Hawkshead which looked interesting, but the rain was too heavy to allow us to explore it comfortably. So we were off for a much anticipated (by Merilyn) visit to Hill Top Farm, home for many years of Beatrix Potter. It was somewhat disappointing. It cost £11.50 p/p (thankfully our National Trust Membership covered us) for a timed entry to the home. There was no guided tour and nothing to read. Also the lighting was so dim (trying to be authentic) that you could not clearly see what was in display cabinets or details of paintings on the wall.Apparently it is so popular, 7,500 visitors a day in Summer, that they have to keep people moving through. Because of

the weather we were unable to spend much time in the garden or exploring the village which apparently is much the same as it would have been in her time. We did not do the anticipated hike, bike ride or boat trip today but we still have two more days and hopefully will see some blue sky and sunshine. For our walk into town for fish and chips we had on hats, scarves, gloves and several layers for the first, but I'm sure not the last, time. People who come here often tell us that the weather is usually much better than this in September. Maybe tomorrow.