Lake District Loveliness.

Hello! here I am, as promised, and now I don't quite know where to begin. There's so much to show you, so much to see, and of course, like everyone who is excited by a holiday they've just had, I want to show you EVERYTHING!

I will try to curb my enthusiasm, a bit.

Above is the view from the bed, where we stayed on our holiday, (four nights). There's a website here (if you go to it you'll understand why I'm reluctant to write the name of it on my blog, we guessed it's a reference to a song by the B-52s, because the place is off the B52 road).

Quite an amazing place don't you think? To build it was a feat of endurance. On the website, the owners talk about the whole ordeal.

The views were wonderful, and we did like "The Shack" very much, though having experienced living in this sort of architecture, we think we may well be more "Antonia's Pearls" kind of people, we stayed in one of her beautiful cottages in Cornwall last year, her website is here. Antonia had done the cottage exquisitely, and all the appliances, and the shower, worked..............

To be able to rent a property like the Shack did feel like a real privilege.

We seemed to have done a lot in the six days we had away.

One of the things we did was put the car on a ferry and took the five minute journey to the other side of Lake Windermere, which was quicker than driving round on the road. Plus, Hugo loves anything to do with boats and water.

So being in the land of The Lakes, we had to go on the Steam Yacht Gondola.

Ooooohhh the ride was lovely and smooth! We glided along as though we were in the air, not on a Lake, it was beautiful. I stayed inside, admiring the elegant interior and looking at the view, feeling lazy, whilst Hugo, (and I'm just guessing here, because he disappeared for the entire journey), went and ogled the steam engine and waves passing by.

The engine was beautiful as engines go, not that I'm an expert, it just looked very nice and shiny to me, and seemed to power us along exceedingly well. (!)

Our accommodation was about a mile from Beatrix Potter's house Hill Top. We visited when we were last in the Lake District about four or five years ago, and I wanted to see it again.

The experience of walking round her house, gazing at all her things, mostly left as they were when she lived in the house, is strange. I love her little books, but Beatrix Potter was an extraordinary woman. She did a lot for the local community in her time, bought many farms and then gave them to the National trust, which is maybe one of the reasons the Lake District is relatively untouched by developement, and such a beautiful place to visit. She is famous for her books, but the good things she did are not very well known.

We had a day trip to Salts Mill.

I last visited this place about twenty five years ago, and it's changed quite a bit, with lots of shops inside it. The cafe was excellent, we both saved our napkins with the drawings of Little Booge by David Hockney printed on them.

A short stroll through the streets surrounding Salts Mill, brought us to the wonderful sight of this cool as a cucumber cat, with his steely-eyed gaze. (Could have been a girl I suppose).

There was a visit to Holehird Gardens, which had some beautiful greenhouses sheltering a magnificent collection of Alpines.

There's something about Alpines, their flowers are so tiny and delicate, they demand that you bend down and examine them closely, and they are so perfect looking, I'm always in awe of them.

The Bobbin Museum, (link to a short film about it here), which sounds about as boring as it can get, was actually absolutely fascinating. We loved it.

Now I don't know about you, but I'm fascinated by Otters.

They are mesmerising to watch, they play all the time, unless they are asleep or eating, and they make lovely squeaky sounds. And they are very, very cute looking.

So when we saw the sign for otters along with the sign for the Lakes Aquarium, there were no ifs and buts about it, we had to go and see them for ourselves.

And we weren't disappointed, the whole thing was fantastic. We were a little unsure about the otters being held in a great big building, but once we saw the areas they have to roam, we just sat back and enjoyed the spectacle of those happy little otters.

Ducks diving for food was another sight, it's not often you get to see ducks swimming under water is it?

And there were Marmosets too!

That's Hugo's hand gently placed against the glass, which produced the result of one of the Marmosets having a good look, then realising Hugo's hand was a bit odd looking. He slowly disappeared behind the log, leaving just his front paws resting on the top of the log, Hugo could see his little beady eyes staring back at him from behind the log. The little chap then slowly raised himself on to the log, and did a slow motion sideways step along the log and off it.

Apparently Hugo wanted to communicate with the Marmoset.

There was a little journey on the steam train.

Where I did my impersonation of Miss Marple, and admired the view.

I admired the upholstered seats too. I love these old trains, they're stylish without even trying.

And last but not least, Crookabeck Angora Farm. Mary breeds Angora goats, very friendly goats, I might add.

I got to hold a nine-hour old Herdwick sheep lamb! He was so new to the world, he hadn't yet developed his baa properly (or he was just terrified of me and couldn't let out a single squeak).

That was a special moment. Sadly there are no photos, I was too busy holding the lamb!

We went to visit the farm with the intention of sniffing out yarn, specifically wool from  the Herdwick sheep.

Herdwick sheep are the breed of sheep Beatrix Potter revived after they had fallen out of favour with local farmers. Apparently each farm now has to have a percentage of Herdwicks amongst their flock.

I visited Crookabeck farm with great hopes of finding some Herdwick sheep yarn to buy with some Birthday money I had been given, and I wasn't disappointed. I bought seven balls to knit a cardigan. But the photos of that yarn will have to wait for another time.

I'm pooped, I'm all holidayed out and I'm off to relax. Cheerio! Love Vanessa xxx

 

Comments

[Márcia]

Hello Vanessa
I loved your pictures and your trip was wonderful! Everything is so beautiful!
Glad you're back to show your news in knitting.
A big kiss and good return!
Marcia

[June]

What stunning photos. It's really looks as if you had a super time! Fantastic scenery and cats too!
June

[Janice]

We will be visiting the Lakes district in June and your gorgous photos have really whet my appetite. We visited there a few years ago and went to the bobbin mill, which as you say, was surprisingly interesting. Thanks for sharing your trip.

[Estela Brandez]

Hello Vanessa!
Two days ago I discovered your blog and am fascinated with what I found there! Your taste for nature, animals and knitting make me feel identified with you! (unfortunately no English (I asked for help from Mr Google.
Your last post on that dream cottage has impressed me is wonderful!
I'll keep reading!
See you soon!
Estela

[Vintage Squirrel]

Looks like you had a wonderful holiday. What a heavenly hideaway in a magnificent location. I would like to visit Hill Top but alas didn't manage last year on our short trip to the Lakes. Isn't Salts Mill fabulous? Like you it's too many years since we last visited... but my mother-in-law remembers it as a working mill, so it can't be that long ago! Love the Miss Marple photo but you'll have to wait another 40 years until you look convincing enough!!
Katie x

[susan]

Oh some of my favourite places, and I've done knitting on that train too.

we have your latest book, but grandson has not seen it yet.

[greenrabbitdesigns]

What a wonderful place, I've never been to the Lake District but it's on my 'places to visit' list!
What a brilliant house you stayed in too. :)
Vivienne x

[Jo-anne]

I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Please go visit my blog to claim your award.

[dutch sisters]

What a wonderful post this is! Love your trip pictures!

[Teresa Kasner]

Dear Vanessa, I cannot tell you how wonderful that you are to share your visit to the Lake District with us - I descend from ancestors in England and Scotland and dream of visiting, but may never get to do so. So, you took me to where I dream of going. Thanks..

Hugs, Teresa

[driftwood]

looks like a great trip. we went to the bobbin mills years ago, I agree it was fascinating.

[paintdropskeepfalling.wordpress.com]

That post must have taken ages to create? All those photo mosaics! But thank you, I feel like I've had a little trip away too.

[Magic Cochin]

What a lovely collection of photos! I'll have to pop back again to look at them properly :-)

I thought I spotted Miss Marple ;-)

Celia
x

[maggie]

It is so long since I visited those places, thanks for jogging the memory. The Lake District was our favourite place to holiday and I was lucky to grow up not far from it so that days out there were easy. Not so now I'm across country and down quite a ways!

[Sarah]

Beautiful pictures! It looks like a fabulous holiday.

[Siobhan]

What an amazing place to stay - I think it's more the location than anything, it looks wonderful buried away in the woods. It must have been gorgeous to wake up there and then go outside to all that! You did so many things and went to so many places I can't remember them all! I do love your photo of the cuddled up sheep. Herdwick sheep look as if they are smiling (I think those are the ones). How lovely to get to hold one. Otters are gorgeous little things, I love them too. What a funny-faced little monkey that was; Marmosets are tiny aren't they? People must look like giants to them.I have a lovely biography about Beatrice Potter, she was very interesting! Love the steam train and the gorgeous scenery you passed through - so much to see and do, it all looks fabulous. Would love to visit the farm - all of it actually! Thanks so much for letting us share it all, it was lovely.

[Judi A.]

Thank you for taking me on a wonderful trip this morning. Now I can enjoy a hum-drum day. :-)

[Frances]

Vanessa, what magical places you all saw on your holiday! Magical because of their beauty, but also that they convey such a relaxed pace, although clearly you and Hugo did lots of short travels, too.

I love those photos of the luxuriant moss! Well, I actually love all the photos, and did a quick click to find out more about both holiday home companies. They are so different, yet both are very appealing.
You are a great travel guide! xo

[Liz W in Missouri, USA]

Long ago I bought a book about short tours in Britan. Soon afterwards, I got my passport with plans to make the trip. It's been 15 years now but I haven't given up yet. Beatrix Potter is another of my favorite people in the world and the work she did to preserve the land and the life in that beautiful countryside is amazing. I think she would have been a wonderful person to have known, don't you?
I'm so happy that you had such a lovely birthday week. Your photos are a joy, and your enthusiasm is really quit contageous. The otters remind me of a children's book - "Emit Otter's Jug Band Christmas".
Thank you, Vanessa, for allowing us to share your wonderful vacation.

[Helen]

Hello Vanessa! What a wonderful Lake District post! You stayed in an amazing house! And yes, I think we DID photograph the same lamb at BP's house! I also loved seeing your pics of the ferry, the Gondola and the otters - all of which we've seen in the past (but not on our trip last week). Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures, and I'll be going to the Bobbin Mill and the angora farm next time, I hope.
Have a lovely week. Helen x

[Karoline]

Happy birthday Vanessa, glad you had a great holiday. We're off to the lakes in a few weeks & I have a couple of small people who will love the aquarium

[Catherine]

I love all your photos! Sounds and looks like you had a heavenly time! Cx

[Sylvia]

Hello Vanessa: I discovered your blog a few months ago and I like it very much. Like you, I love animals (especially dogs), knitting, nature, photography. It's been a long time since you showed us pictures of your cute dogs. They are adorable. Cheerio from Argentina.

[Alice and Raymond!!!]

what a gorgeous post Vanessa! So much wonderfulness to see! I love that you went to Beatrix Potters house, it sounds so wonderful and yes, I love all of the things she did for the area she lived too, such inspiration for sure!
Looks like you had a fab time and thank you for sharing!
XXXXX

[Veronika]

What a wonderful holiday you had!! So busy!
I'd like to go to the Lake District one day too to explore with the family. :)

xx

[LakeDistrictGuy]

Brilliant account of your trip and fantastic pictures. I've seen that 'shack' before and it looks great - one day 'll get to try it out for myself.
Can't wait to read more of your articles in future. Thanks for sharing!

[Planet Penny]

What a lovely holiday! Can't wait to show Tim, he went to prep school in the Lake District and is full of wonderful tales about it.
Sorry I missed your birthday but many happy returns, it sounds like a really special day. Lots of love Penny and Higgins xxx

[Trekky]

Beautiful pictures! We were in kendal at the start of the month for a wedding & go to go on the gondola at Coniston too! Such a pretty area & hope to visit again soon!

[Dawn Nelson]

Oh, I want to go!!!!! Lovely pics. Thanks for sharing. Like you, I am a fan of Beatrix Potter - and not just for her artwork, but for the fact she had the balls to buy the farm in the Lake District and to do all that conservation. She was an inspiration. There's a wee town in Perthshire with a museum (it's fab) dedicated to her because apparently before the Lake District, her family holidayed there. Can't remember name of said town, but am sure if you Googled Beatrix Potter Museum, Scotland you'd find it. Dawn x

[Teje & Nero]

Dear Vanessa, Happy Birthday!!! Sorry I missed that, had too busy time.
Your story from your wonderful vacation is like a book! Full of most beautiful photos and lovely story! Thank you for that! That place you stayed looks like a dream!
Happy Easter to you and your family and lovely dogs! xxx Teje

[Cez]

wow...amazing trip!!! love the picture of you, knitting in the train... and the wool colors are so nice!!!!!
xoxo

[Jenni at Baa-me Kniits]

Oh Vanessa you have just had my perfect holiday! Beatrix Potter's house, otters, lambs, marmosets and all those fabulous photos, all that colour and texture......Heaven!!

[Kendal Self-Catering]

That hammock looks difficult to get out of! :)