What we’ve been doing since Ireland:

Lake District

After a star filled night in Scotland after disembarking off the ferry the morning brought heavy rain.  Text Sally in The Lake District to say we were on the way.  Return text informed me the weather was ‘vile’ there.  Undeterred we headed off.  Fortunately by the time we reached Carlisle the weather had cleared.  We entered the Lake District via Lake Ullswater.  Very scenic.  All the trees were varying shades of autumn tones and made a stunning backdrop to the lake and hills.  From there, we wound our way over the Troutbeck Hill where we had camped with Michael over 20 years ago.  Very like Scotland with bracken glad hills rearing up and then as we climbed the valley and rivers below were magnificent.  Sally feed and watered us and showered us with Lakeland hospitality.  It was great to catch up with her.  After that we drove to Hawkeshead to Beatrix Potter’s house which is a ‘time capsule’ full of her favourite things.  Her books funded the purchase not only of this house but 14,000 acres of local land which she bequeathed, along with drawings and personal papers, to the National Trust.  In later life she became a very respected farmer and sheep breeder.  One very smart lady!  We camped in Hawkeshead, explored the village (all full of Beatrix Potter stuff) and had dinner at one of the local pubs. 

The next day started wet so we canned our planned walk and instead explored Grassmere then visited the Stott Park Bobbin Mill.  It was built to produce bobbins vital to the spinning and weaving industries in Lancashire.  From there we did a speed tour of Sizergh Castle famous for its ornate wood panelling then headed back towards Wales.

Wales: We spent the next day travelling across North Wales (Snowdonia).  Once again very scenic.  We stopped at Llwyngwril where Taff is from, photographed various points of interest and caught up with some local at the ‘tea and chat session’.  They picked our accent and some had even been to NZ.  Great fun, lovely people.  From there we returned to Donna and Owains and have been getting the van ready for Nick and me to take it to Southampton tomorrow to ship to NZ.  Once we’ve done that Nick and I will hire a car as I have organised to visit a school in Kent.  We will then make our way to Hollyhead to catch the ferry to Dublin stopping to visit Peter and Anne and Gail and Darryl on the way.  Two nights in Dublin then home via Dubai.  Looking forward to seeing family and friends.