A week in the Lakes.

Saturday 15th September.

Today we are travelling to the Lakes for a week, Angela my friend is also going.

We set off after saying our goodbyes to Andrew, Hannah and Summer. Picked up Angela on the way.
My knee started complaining nearly straight away. Going to be a long journey I think.
After a couple of stops we arrived at number 2 Gills cottage. Just made for me.
 

 The cottage where we stayed.

Unlocked the door and wow its great, everything you could want plus a welcome pack of coffee pods, beer, Kendal mint cake even biscuit bones for a dog. Summer will be pleased.
The rooms are big and there is a wood burning stove to use if it gets a bit chilly. Two bathrooms one en suite, plus a downstairs toilet. Even the beds were made up, all six of them. I think this will be a good week. The sun was shinning too and OH SO QUIET. If fact we did not see anyone for two days. Not to the likes of everyone but good for us three.

The wood burner. We did not use this as not too cold at night.

 View from the kitchen window. The old man mountain.

We did not do anything at all today as tired from the journey and Paul from driving. Tomorrow, time to explore.

Sunday 16th

A damp start to the day slept about the same as home bed quiet soft but alright. After we were all up we discussed what we were going to do today. We decided to go on a cruise on Lake Windermere. The sun was shining again so very nice just cruising along. We saw many things along the way. We were told one of the island was the one that Swallows and Amazons was all about in the book.  We saw very high priced houses like two million to six million castles as well plus some wildlife. The scenery was as Angela put it, STUNNING.

 

The boat we went on.

 

 

 Wild Cat Island?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Around Windermere and from the boat.

Later we had a quick look at Coniston Lake, this is where Donald Cambell was killed trying to beat the speed record. 


Andrew and Hannah were looking after Summer but change of plan, so now she is at Lindsay's. She will be pleased as her best friend Suey is there, also Zeus  a little chihuahua  from next door to Lindsay. Plus at least three children. Hope she has her ear muffs on as it can get a bit loud there.

17th

On a steam train today, Lakeside and Haverthwaite railway. A very nice chug along with lovely scenery to see. We looked in the Engine shed at the last two remaining Fairburn class 4 Mt tank engine. Just think only two left now, they have bean restored well one, has the other still needs work.

 

  The station.

 

 

 

 

 Our engine that took use on the ride.

 

All aboard.

On the steam train  

 

 The coal used to power it up.

 Another old train.

 

The engine sheds.

 

 

 

 One of the old Fairburns engines.

  

 

 

 

 From Lincoln.

On then to the Motor show--- old cars, some that my Dad used to have and he had a lot of cars. Motor bikes as well. Toy cars too. Also a replica of the 1939 Bluebird K7 that Donald Campbell used and was killed in 1967 at speeds of 300mph . His body and wreak of Bluebird K7 were not found till 2001 then buried in a little church yard close bye. Found out quite a bit about him and his Dad who also liked speed.
 More replica cars were there 1935 Bluebird car, Hydroplane K7. We also learnt about the various things that went on here in the past like the Blue Mill the little blue laundry bag that was used. The woodland industry, the iron works, gunpowder works, cotton mills, barrel makers, plus many more that I have forgotten.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 I love minis.

  

  Red one is a boat as well as a car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Dad had lots of cars maby one like this? 

Donald  Campbell's fast machines.

1939 Bluebird K4 boat.

 

  

   

    

  

 1935  Bluebird K7 the one that ended his life in 1967.Speeds of over 300 miles per hour recorded.

 

Bluebird K7 engine.

 

 

 

 Donald Campbell Grandson carried on the legion.

We had dinner at the museum beer burger and chips very tasty and good.


18th

A dull start with a bit of drizzle sun came out later and was quite mild. No need for a coat unless it rain's.

Today it's the Beatrix Potter gallery and later the house where she first lived after leaving her family home.

The Gallery

First the gallery lots of fact and things about her books and drawing as well obviously not all originals. Not easy to take pictures so none for here.

Next on to the house, Hill Top Farm this is cottage with a cottage garden (what else) The house did have a lot of original things of hers. This is where she did her books and paintings and making animals come alive. Hill Top Farm was Beatrix Potter first house she bought from the profits of her books.

 

 

 

 

 

 Four poster bed I would love one of these.

 

 

 A rare piano.

 

 The lovely dolls house still with the furniture inside.

 

 Now into the garden.

.

 

 Back of the house and garden.

The garden had a hundred year old apple tree. I was cheeky and asked what happen to them, he said they are given to people. Can I have some please to eat, not these he said they are bramley cookers, there is was another tree with eating apples on, russets he gave us one each as well as the bramleys. I ate my apple and it was so good. My Dad always said if you don't ask you don't get. The people behind us also got apples. They were from Ireland. I asked in the shop why they did not sell the Bramley apples. The lady said because of quality control. I said give them away with just a donation. She thought that was a good idea and would look in to it.

 The apple tree- I have never seen one so big..

Beatrix Potter went on to buy more of the surrounding farms and fields to stop the developers getting their hands on them .After all she was earning a lot of money now.
 

  

 Angela and I.

 

 Paul and I.

 
I used the apples for tea with custard, very tasty too. Had a little walk later as it seems a shame not to. Angela came along but we did not go very far. Cooking tea with an electric oven was an experience the cooker gets a lot hotter than mine as fan assisted, so cooks quicker. At one point the kitchen was filled with smoke from the sausages and bacon I put in the oven. Last night Angela had set off the smoke alarm by cooking fish cakes. She burnt them. This time I shut the kitchen door and opened the window. All was good in the end and we all enjoyed a good tea of sausage, bacon, eggs, tomatoes and mushrooms. Plus the apples and custard very tasty..


19th

Today we are going to Ulverston to see the Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy museum lots of facts about them both. Angela had bean before but loves them both so much wanted to go again.

Very windy day nearly blew me over at one point not cold or raining.

 

 

 

 

  Ollie.

 Stan.

 

         

 

  

 

  Stan's original bowler hat?

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

  One of the last pictures taken of them together.

 

 

This was a good morning weather wise, we had dinner in the pub nearby, very nice too it was pie and potatoes. We nearly did not get it as last orders were 2pm it was nearly 2pm when we got there the bar lady talked to the chef and we got our food..

 The oldie pub we went in was a tribute to Stan and Ollie.

After we walked to where Stan used to live as a boy number 3 Argyle Street. 

 

Where Stan was born and lived for the first six years of his life.
Home of his Grandparents formally know as Foundry Cottages.

On to Coniston to see Donald Campbells grave.

Coniston.

 

 A Lolly shop I think it had just about every flavour possible.

20th

Miniature village day today-- The man who does it all has CHRONIC FATIGUE and does the models to take his mind off the pain. The work that goes into it is truly amazing. We talked to him and he let me in his workshop to see how they all started out as piles of slate or rock. One of the best things all week I think.

 

 

 

Hill Top Farm.Beatrix Potter's home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Some of the models he makes to order and for displays.

 

  

 

 This is how it all starts out.

 

This is what it said near the door to the minature village.

On to the house where Wordsworth lived, Dove Cottage. Just as we were going in a Tornado flew over and nearly scared me to death. The cottage was a sight to see as so many things still there. The paper in one of the bedroom was newspaper and still readable today.

 

Dove Cottage where he and his family lived from 1799.

   

 

 One of Wordsworth dogs.

 

 

 

 

 

 The newspaper walls.

Not too many pictures as light was not good and no flash allowed.

On to Windermere, by now it was raining. the first proper rain during the day so far. We got a few bits to take home then headed back to the holiday home.


21st

Well last day make the most of it, fine and windy.

Going on a boat today well hopefully not too rough  on the water. This was a very smooth trip. Raining a bit and very windy.
Angela looked back and saw the most beautiful rainbow over a mountain called The Old Man. We went on to see loads of these today even going home on the motor way.

The boat we went on.

 

 The rainbows that Angela noticed.

     

  

  Nearly got blown away taking these next three as on the boats deck. 

    

 

    

 

 Another cruise boat.

We were told that the island at Windermere is not the one that the Swallows and Amazons used in the book. The lady on the boat said they always lie. I looked into this on the Internet when I got home. The verdict is no one really knows it could be either or none as there are many islands they could have used. Coniston believe they have the right one though.

 Donald's plack.

We also saw the spot where Donald Campbell's boat the Bluebird K7 crashed going over 300 miles per hour and killed him outright. His body and wreak was not found till 2001.

After the cruise finished we headed for Hawkshead for some food. Very nice pub but quite expensive but we are on holiday- sob sob the last day..Bit of rain but more like drizzle than actual rain, a bit colder too.

Back to the place to pack the last bits. We all had a good time and Angela would have loved to stay.
In the car and head home. On the way near Manchester a violent storm, hail stones, a right down pour. Again we saw loads of rainbows. I think that day alone we saw more than ten- some very beautiful and a lot of doubles too. They was a accident on the Northbound carriage way a very long tail back, pleased we were heading south.  

The journey home was better for me than the one going, normal pain plus a bit more at times.

We dropped Angela off at her house then went on to pick up Summer at Lindsay's. Summer had a good time with Suey and Zeus from next door. A cup a tea then home, Summer was very excited to see us.

A good holiday but a bit disappointed to not have had more walks, but as many of you know I get lost a lot, so not able to really go on my own in a different place. Up a mountain for hours trying to find my way is not good. We did see a lot of things and there is always another time. The RSD  and other things behaved quite well so I was able to enjoy the Beautiful Lakes

All the best to every one. Love Gill.