Windermere, 26 Mar 2008

Wow, it's already been 3 days since arriving in Windermere. I have to say, I have seen peaks and vales enough to last me a month, before the work and all gets into me again. The first day when we arrived, it was already mid day and by the time we got to the B&B, it was exactly at 1.30pm which was the check-in time. This time, we are given the top level which looked a lot like an attic, especially with the slanted ceiling and a small window. Settled in, started to walk toward the car hire shop to see if we could rent a car. The person had told us in the previous email that it's quite busy and cars were snapping up, but we took the chance in not booking it first. The cab person, whom we asked, do feel that it's best to rent a car, but they also do tours for us if we wanted to. The fees however, were at £25 per hour. Nope, no can do.

So we were hoping that the car hire will have a car for us... which turns out to be true, in fact there were 4 manual cars, and 2 auto. Well, we took the auto at the rate of £40.50 per day along with £3.50 per day for additional driver. It all came to £120 which was paid by card... Had to, I had only about £80 left to last the remaining of the trip! The person was rather nice and pointed out where we should go for our tour of the lake area. He also pointed out that we could take a route which were one of the shortest route in the lake district for our remainder of the time of the day. We drove to the ferry (where we had ice cream while waiting for the ferry - chocolate favour for moi and vanilla for my coz), took it across lake Windermere, and the drive up to Hawkshead, then onwards to Amberside where we had our 2nd fish and chip in this trip. Then it was a shorter drive back down to

Windermere. Dinner was at this Lamplighter Bar & Restaurant where I had mushroom soup and my coz had carrot soup and we shared a dish that had local shrimp - which looked a lot like our hare-bee. Had my first glass of Cider too.

The next day, we started our day with the full English breakfast - minus the black pudding (which was not offered anyway) and it consist of baked beans, fried egg, bacon, Cumberland sausage, hash brown, grilled tomato and mushrooms. We also had some toast, cereals, orange juice, and of course, tea! First order of the day was to get our laundry done... Imagine that, you get to a scenic place like Lake District and what we do on the 1st morning, laundry! Ah well, it had to be done sooner or later and clothes were in short supply.

Anyway, once that was done we were on our way. This time we drove pass Ambleside, onwards to Keswick, along the way we stopped for photo sessions at Thirlmere (lake), onwards to Keswick. Off Keswick we came to Castlerigg Stone Circle. Took a couple of photos there, and off we go to the long drive down to Borrowdale valley, passing the Derwentwater, onwards to Honister Pass (but we did not stop to see the slate mine), and then onwards to Buttermere. There we stopped for a deluxe local ice cream which taste heavenly, especially if you love full cream ice cream. I had a caramel crunch flavour while my coz has the cherry flavour.

We then headed towards Cockermouth before turning and head back to Windermere, passing the Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick, Grasmere, Rydal and Ambleside. This time, we headed to Bowness-on-Windermere to do a little shopping (my coz) and we had our dinner there. This time, we had dinner at Sutherland Bar and Restaurant. I had Roast Leg of Lamb and she had Roast Turkey. Had this horrible drink of blackcurrant squash, which tasted a lot like some medication or some horrid mixed drink.

Again, this morning with a full stomach, we headout to the Great Langdale, passing Ambleside (again!), Skelwith Bridge, Elterwater and Chapel Stile. Once we pass it, we then headed onward to Hardknott Pass where Hardknott fort walls that is still there. It was a little off the road and a climb. Was huffing and puffing by the time I got there, and in this climb discover that sheep maybe everywhere but they also poo everywhere. Almost a lot of steps that I took I can see poo everywhere. So, I had to try not step on the poo and also not on the squishy mud which is around due to the cold and wet weather.

When I got down, found that my coz found a easier way to get the lower walls of the fort, and did not have to huff and puff to get up there... Darn it... But was a good exercise I have to say. Then it was onwards to Eskdale, and we had our lunch - Potato and leek soup and we shared a plate of scampi and jacket potatoes - at King George IV Bar & Restaurant. Not too sure why, but the Brits seems to love this soup, had it in Edinburgh and now in the Lake District.

From there, we drove on to Broughton-In-Furness, thinking that it's a port, but it did not seem like it. Anyway, we then headed towards Coniston, stopped by this Mother Earth thingy kind of shop. Then we drove on back to Windermere, passing Skelwith bridge and Ambleside. It was actually near Tarn Hows, and although it was highlighted as one of the 18 things to see/do by the rough guide to lake district (which is on loan from NLB), the lighting at this time is already getting dark, so it won't be as good as it should be, so we skipped it.

We had our dinner at The Queens. Not that it's a recommended place or what, but there is a large plasma TV for us to watch England vs France friendly. Had the traditional Roast beef which did not taste that well as the beef was really really tough, but it was an interesting experience to be sitting in a pub in England and watch a football match. It was a good thing that we got there earlier as it got crowded once it hit 7.30pm. Not that it would as crowded as Crabshack (where MU fans gather to watch matches in Sg), but still... Most were men and they were having a couple of beers while watching it. The match was not too exciting, and france got an early goal, courtesy of a penalty. Walked back to B&B at half time.

Tomorrow will be the last day to go round the area and this time will be the area known as Wordsworth Country. Till then....

Oh, did I mention that I bought Sex and The City Complete Series? I'm now into the 4th disc. 1 day 1 disc, so by the time I get back I would have done like 9 - 10 discs.