May 22, 2008
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Windermere and More
We arrived at Braemount House, our bed and breakfast, around 10:45. Thankfully, we didn’t get too lost on the way. The room was nice and we were tired. Alas for me, as usual, caffeine kept me up until 2:00 or so. Pesky soda!
The next morning, after a breakfast of eggs, sausages, and the most delicious rhubarb yogurt, we donned our big hats and walking shoes and set off for Orrest Head, a peak which overlooks Lake Windermere. First, we posed in front of the bed and breakfast.
It was just so gosh-darn beautiful everywhere, even though it was a humid hike up the hill.
But, the views at the top of Lake Windermere and the countryside were worth every bit of bother.
Here I am, posing by a gorse bush. All day, I went around saying “Gorshe” like Goofy does. Yup, that’s just how my pea brain works.
After a return to our room for water and other necessities, we headed toward Hilltop, Beatrix Potter’s house. We walked for a mile or so around Lake Windermere where there were swans
Piers
Boats
And children on leashes. Actually, I’ve been wanting to show you a picture of this for a while. Most little people you see are in “leading strings.” I’ve read about them many times in books, but I didn’t realize they were still so prevalent in England.
We got to the ferry and paid our 50 pence a person for the short ride. We opted for the cheaper, non-scenic route on the car ferry as the other ferry was an hour’s wait, and it was a cool, drizzly day. (Wish we had brought our jackets with us instead of leaving them in our room.)
We weren’t sure if we should hike once we got of the ferry or try to catch the Mountain Goat bus. The 25 minute wait for the bus decided for us, and we began a glorious hike through the countryside. Of course, we had to pass through a sheep field or two.
Even laundry is lovely here!
The woods were blanketed with beautiful Allium, so our hike often smelled like onions.
Even when we came to vacation cottages, we still felt the need to whip out our cameras.
Finally, we were there: the town of Sawrey, home of Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top Farm.
What’s your favorite Beatrix Potter tale?
Comments (23)
you out did yourself on these photos and I starred some of them. I have Wedgewood Potter dishes for a child at home
OH MY GOODNESS!!! These photos are BEAUTIFUL beyond comprehension!!!!! I used to live in a neighborhood called “Windemere Heights”….I didn’t realize it had “English” roots.
I am in love with these photos. Breathtaking!!!!
The great thing about your pictures is for a brief moment you can be in England too…that is, until the baby cries or the kitchen timer goes off or any other number of things occurs.
I definitely recall my mother putting me on such a “leash” when I was a wee thing, but she denies it…
Knowing how my 3 brothers were, I think the leash thing is a great idea!
I could just breathe in those photos…will have another look. And another.
My current favorite is actually the movie, Miss Potter. It captures the spirit of her books. My mom collected the books and knicknacks for me when I was a kid. I still have the books, but found a girlfriend who actually valued the knicknacks so I gave them all to her before I moved. She had always envisioned a Peter Rabbit bedroom for a future kid…and had one shortly thereafter. I don’t have a favorite tale, but always liked the title Jemima Puddle Duck.
Simply beautiful! I’m not sure that it’s my favorite, but I always had a special liking for Squirrel Nutkin.
We love our Leading String! Your B&B looked so charming.
What a beautiful journey. God bless you, Mary.
The Tailor of Glouchester!
I have enjoyed your posts and pictures so much, you just don’t know. I think I will be sad when you come home.
What incredible pictures! The colors are beautiful! You must be having such a great time. These pictures would make a great scrapbooking album….
Jeremy Fisher. It is beyond gorgeous there and how fun to get to do all that walking!
You sound like you had a blast. You took some really cool pictures too. Oh and my boyfriend can not send email during boot camp because they do not have access to computers there. So i am still waiting on a old fashioned hand written letter from him. Have a great day!
That rock wall and the laundry shot are oh so beautiful! You are seeing some wonderful sights. Perhaps I’ll have to visit there someday… Speaking of beautiful, I like your new profile picture!.
I think we should all just pack up and move there! All the pictures you posted are my idea of ideal… yes, even the laundry! …OH! NO! NOT the leashes for children, however… leashes “are for dogs and cats and other sorts of animals and NOT for children and DEFINITELY not for me!!” to quote “Maria”…. out of text, however.
Are you oh-so-sad that you’re leaving? Do you feel like you’re leaving your little “Neverland”?
I love your new profile picture…. so playful!!
Samuel Whiskers
in winnie the pooh, it talks about gorse bushes. i always wondered what they were…..
lovely, lovely pics. i have so enjoyed my “virtual vacation” in england with you
The tale of Jemima Puddleduck.
Those pictures are divine! Simply amazing! England is such a diverse country; everything is so different!
I love your photo’s they have been wonderful.
I think the pier would be my fav, and the boats, I love being near water.
x
Your pics are incredible! Some of the most beautiful I’ve seen. What a wonderful journey you’re on…..thank you for sharing. God bless you!!!! Becky
Beautiful!!! No pics of hilltop?????? What?? hehe. Did I miss something. So was that the lake district etc? (did that come out right?) just let me know. It was neat to see pics of the sheep as B.P. had a sheep farm…
I feel odd. Confused. Can you straighten me out…hehe.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit….hmmm…I don’t know…maybe b/c I did a report/term paper on it…???? lol.
@Ilassie -
Hill Top Farm is the name of Beatrix Potter’s house. The Lake District is the name for an area in England where her house is located. It’s in the northwest of England and has a bunch of lakes there and hills. One post was just about the lakes and scenery we saw. Another was about Beatrix Potter’s house, Hilltop.
That stone archway is just awesome! I’d blow that one up and frame it.
You are sure packing a lot into these last few days!