More of the Holiday in the Lake District

Now all the washing and ironing is done, and I've got those jobs done.....it takes going away and then coming home, for the eye to see the bits that need doing! I've had time to look over some pictures, and have thought again about just this one week. We did not enough time up in the Lake District, and we are already thinking about when we ought to go next!

On the way to our final resting point in the Lake District, we popped into Townend, in Troutbeck near Windermere. The interior was fascinating, and so wonderfully cool or such a hot and sunny day.

Over the road, the original barn and working part of the farm was still being used.

Close by are the Holehird Gardens. Julie, my fellow gardening Volunteer, suggested we visit these. After the drive, and two lovely places, David opted for a snooze in the car, whilst I enjoyed the wonderful array of interesting plants. I was a little too early to view the National Collection of Astilbes, however, the Hostas were superb, as were the very large rockeries, and beautifully tendered borders within the walled garden. Plants and Trees were well marked with names.

The apartment we had in the centre of Keswick had been formed from rooms in the original Royal Oak Hotel, so we had excellent proportioned rooms, with high ceilings and some views of mountains. The enjoyment we had on this holiday with Derwent Water, its surrounding mountains, walks, ferry etc., were easily comparable for us to our holidays on the Italian Lakes, without the long journey and plane flights.

After I got over the worst of my bruises from my cycle fall, our walks started with a gentle walk out to vantage point looking over Derwent Isle.

That was the last time we took our waterproofs with us. The rest of the week was very sunny and warm, and further walks took us along the further shore, using the ferry to take us to the southern end. We happened to have a wait to catch the Ferry back, and found a cool sheltered terrace to enjoy tea and scones and cake in the meantime.

Oh that we had more time, we may have got to the top of Skiddaw, instead, we went up Latrigg, where the views of Derwent Water were wonderful.

We stayed mainly in the area. A tour took us over the Honister Pass, along Gatesgarthdale Beck, where we stopped to look at the sheep, then on for lunch at Buttermere. After lunch we walked along the Lake and found a spot thick with orchids. Later we drove to the Coast, then back along the faster routes returning via the road running along Bassenthwaite Lake.

One of our days 'out' was a drive down Sizergh Castle. We both throughly enjoyed our day there. As the house did not open till one we first toured the garden. It gave us time to view the Castle from the outside, and enjoy the well laid out areas. I was specially delighted by the extensive collection of ferns, which were well labelled. On one side of the Castle, was an area planted with acers, small ferns and other interesting small plants, with small areas of water, all within the superb limestone rock garden.

On the way back for lunch, I spotted a lovely clump of plants, and had to return to take a picture, and ask at the shop if they had any pots of Stachys Macrantha for sale. Sadly they did not, but I did get three nice ferns, which will soon be planted in a shaded spot near the back of the garden.

The interior of the house had us entralled. The amount of very early wood panelling is exceptional. The rooms are beautifully furnished with exquisite pieces of furniture, and one can tell that they are still lived in. I enjoyed the many embroidered pieces.