Wordsworth, Pepper, and Kendal

William Wordsworth was born in Cockermouth, Cumberland in 1770. He moved back to the Lake District to Dove Cottage in Grasmere 1799.

Today, on our way from Windermere to 'Low Fell' hiking we toured Dove Cottage taking pictures and learning some things....

His dog's name was pepper.

Burning the Candle

The family used candles made from congealed hog fat. These were eaten by mice if left unprotected. The house was dark but during the day a single candle provided enough light. However, at night, when more light was needed, a rush was inserted into the middle of the candle and lit at both ends of the rush.  In other words, they "burned the candle at both ends".

We left Dove Cottage and headed north towards the next planned stop; the 'Low Fell' hike up Catsbell.  

North of Dove Cottage, leaving the village, the road suddenly because fast and narrow.  I let the car drift a bit towards the left of the lane and hit

something hard at 50 mph which blew out the left front tire. After some drama and help from a passing good samaritan, we swapped the blown tire for a spare and took the car to a garage in Kendal. Our plans to walk a Low Fell called Catsbells were shelved for the day.  

Kendal

Kendal was having a fair and we caught the end of the Nerdy Birds. They seemed like traveling minstrels.   

This gal could really work the hoola hoop!

Steamer MV Teal

Windermere -

A day on the 'mere' of Windermere and hiking to the falls at Ambleside.

We encountered a few natives during the hike.....

Then the falls..

..and home Windermere.

Lake District

Arrived Lake District...... And learned the Lake District has only one lake.

The drive from Lancaster wore me out (being extra careful about driving in the left lane) so I snoozed while Irene checked out the beach at Bowness.  Quite crowded here!! Where there are lots of birds, there are lots of people.

A busy, crowded beach for hungry locals......

Hiking Plans

Found a hill called Catbells which, weather permitting, could be hiked......

Lancaster

We arrived in Lancaster by train as planned.  Tomorrow we switch to car and drive to Windermere.

The link is blurry English country side as seen from high speed train between London and Lancaster.... Not much to say except it was relatively painless using the train to find a less congested area to pick up a car and start driving on the left side of the road....
http://youtu.be/4ZFj26COI_Y

By The canal in Lancaster.....

A dog friendly pub by the canal....

Final Summer Project

Pics of a backyard project we completed before leaving out

"Who moved my deck?"



Sammy can sleep anywhere....



Good as new

Isle Agenda

As Irene and I progress on our road tour of England, this Google blog account should be an easy and secure way to share photos and stuff from our trip.

So, this is the first post.

Here is our intended path by plane, train, and automobile.

 

First by train from London to Lancaster. Then by car to the lake district for a few days; Whitby for a night; Bristol for a few days; then London and home

More to come!