Wooden Boats

 SONG -  If I Had A Boat by Lyle Lovett

Day 17 - Thurs. May 16

About 8 miles north of our hotel is Rydal Hall & gardens which we visited on Thursday. A perfect day of sunshine, birdsong and waterfalls.

The waterfall come down off of the Cumbrian mountains and flow past the grounds tea room, under a stone bridge and on past the “Grot” built in 1668.

We then drove into the village of Ambleside on the Northern tip of Lake Windermere.  It’s was filled with hikers, runner’s & pack packers of all ages. We however were there to visit The Bridge House, a local church and scope out our dinner restaurant for the evening.

“ A tiny building, originally an apple store for nearby Ambleside Hall, was built over Stock Beck to escape land tax. Once five mills were driven by the power of Stock Beck and some may still be seen nearby. It is said that at some time a family with six children lived here in the two rooms.” - quote from “Visit Cumbria

We didn’t visit the upstairs bedroom as these were the stairs…

We walked down several streets to arrive at St Mary’s Church built in 1850. We had seen the spire while driving into town and thought it might be worth a visit. 

Later in the afternoon we took a walk along Lake Windermere and enjoyed watching the boats, ducks, swans & people. 

Oh and the Wray castle across the lake. 

We then drove to dinner in Ambleside at Bellis restaurant and headed home for a glass of wine at the bar where we bumped into & joined Robert, Jennifer & Poppy from Glasgow!

A Gondola, Rabbits & Jets - Oh My!

 SONG - Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree by the Andrew Sisters

Day 17 - Wed. May 16

Can you guess where I am today?

The photo above is of the roots of a 100 year old Bramley apple tree 

that was lovingly cared for by Beatrix Potter.

I am at Hill Top in Near Sawrey which was Beatrix Potter’s home for many years  

Of course I am here with my best bud, Mr. B but did you know that he has a special bond with this place?

Because he was Mr. McGregor in his kindergarten operetta!

Miss Potters bedroom 

A portrait of Beatrix done by a friend

I didn’t find any rabbits in her well cared for garden but I did find a very old one inside  

As well as some of her sketches for her books

Miss Potter’s Brambly apple tree that she planted

We left Hill Top with joyful hearts and headed over to Lake Coniston about 20 minutes away.  Once again hedgerows on small roads that Mr. B has mastered competently! We had a quick snack at The Bluebird Cafe at the launch before boarding our boat for a tour of the lake.

And here she comes now to pick us up.  Isn’t she, “Gondola”, a beauty?  

Sir James Ramsden, Director of the Furness Railway Company, had been to Venice in 1850 and recognized a way to link a pleasure cruise to his railway line in Coniston.  

She is pulled out of the water every winter so they can refurbish everything onboard including every piece of wood that gets varnished 3-4 times.  

Here is the man who keeps the hot fire burning so we can have a steam powered boat. 

And he ties us up when we pull up to a dock. 

Here is what she looked like in her early years and notice there wasn’t any wheel & crew housing up top originally 

And our Scottish Captain who kept us on a safe route and told us about the fascinating happenings around the lake over the years.

As we arrived back at our lodging, we sat in our rooms bay window and read.  Suddenly out of nowhere came two RAF fighter jets who flew close to the water and made a cracking loud noise.  

The above photo is not my picture (it’s from a British newspaper) as they move so fast you barely had time to look up and they were gone.  It was a stunning flyover just like at baseball games!

We had a decent steak dinner at our hotel’s bistro and there Mr. B spotted a sweet little Westie sitting near us.  After a good cry (because I missed our dear Westie, Maggie) I finally pulled myself together to go and meet her and her parents.  They were both from Glasgow but had been living in England for the last 40 years  His accent reminded me so much of my Grandad John.  

                                        Goodbye Poppy and I hope we meet again soon!

A Bit of Alice

 SONG - Ode to Joy by Beethoven performed by Flash Mob

Day 14 - Mon. May 13

Zipping up the M6 to the Lake District only stopping for supplies in Preston and a garden at Leven’s Hall.  Oh no you say, NOT another garden…..well this one was different! 

Come along with me while I take you to the oldest topiary garden in the world!

Doesn’t it feel a little like Alice in Wonderland with everything a little off & wobbly?

And the topiaries are only a portion of the garden  

They have under plantings of annuals, an orchard, bee boxes, vegetable gardens, rose garden, fountains, greenhouses and a croquet field.  And they have the first ha-ha. Look that one up if you like! And no that’s not Mr. B!

Oh yes they also have an Elizabethan Manor house that I couldn’t take photos in as the family still lives there.  The Peel tower was built in the 1200’s.  You can see interior photos here - LEVENS HALL

Had lunch in their outside dining area.  They also have a bakery and a gift shop named The Potting Shed  

We are now tucked into our hotel on Lake Windermere in the pouring rain for the next 5 days.  Time to get creative on things to do while we are here.

Hope to see you tomorrow!

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing” 

 — Alfred Wainwright