Finally to the Lake District

The main reason for a 2nd week in England was to get the children to the Lake District - and to see where Swallows and Amazons was set. We were warned that despite how Arthur Ransome depicted the weather, it always rains in the Lake District. And it did. But not endlessly - and wow, does it make the steep hills green! Again, like the Basque territory, I was reminded of how self-sufficient this region was/could be: sheep (meat, wool, milk), minerals, fish, fresh water, timber / logging industry. It's a special place and I hope to get back to it - with or without kids. Even as a mobile senior, who could shuttle between hostels using the double decker local buses (about 5 pounds for a sr's day pass and what gorgeous routes it takes you!)

We based ourselves in Grasmere and walked as much as we could

First day was a ramble around the lake in light rain, but we treated ourselves to a pub lunch

Mike took advantage of the kissing gates

Even the teen swooped in for a kiss

Who or what did this sort of a damage? we wondered

pooh sticks

The Wordsworths' Dove cottage

It really wasn't that bad!

Day Two was for Swallows and Amazons

A walk around Lake Windermere - where we discovered some incredible peanut free fudge

The farm that Ransome wrote into S&A - and where the 1970s film was shot

A delicious lunch was had overlooking the Lake and the Old Man

and then they both fell asleep!

A gal and her dad ramble (we climbed up that hill ahead before buying pies for dinner from the local corner store)

A converted barn

Sophie's task was to spot the cutest sheep - this one won - there was a lot of competition

Day Three was for sailing (and shopping at the UK's largest mall - in Manchester - a weird combination)

Think this! For Sebastian skippered and Sophie handled the jib on a marvellous 3 hour sail of a "Trad/itional" boat. Seb's docking skills even earned the praise of the sailing centre's manager!

Ullswater where we sailed (despite the once a day screaming fighter jet that practices...)

We quenched our thirst at every opportunity

The hostel had some fine ales and was a lovely spot to stay