After our big effort yesterday we decided on an easier day today taking in many of the main towns/villages/hamlets of The northern Lakes District.
Our day started with a visit to the Castlerigg Stone Circle. Unlike the Minions, this circle stands alone in a field on the top of a hill. It was first documented in 1776, it is thought to have been constructed around 3000BC, and was one of the first monuments to be recommended for preservation by the state, it was taken into Guardianship in 1883. Neolithic stone circles as this do not contain formal burial as those of the Bronze Age (2000 – 800BC) do. I found myself drawn to the centre of the circle and found that I was looking at the west stone with the east stone at my back, it was strange but felt right, as did moving anticlockwise around the circle starting at the east stone. There was a small inner circle within the main circle that was about 1/6th the main circles diameter and shared the east stone of the main circle. It all felt good, as do most stone circles, but I didn’t get the same intensity that I had at Minions.
From there we drove south to Grasmere, the Gingerbread capital of the north. It was a small historic village that was once home to William Wordsworth, and the place of his burial (we saw his gravestone). We went into the local gothic styled church dedicated to St Oswald, King of North Cumbria, with its cobblestone floor dating back to 1250AD (the 4th church on the site, the first dated back to 642AD). The Gingerbread store is very popular, we lined up and got ourselves a portion. It was a different flavour and texture to those I have had before, very tasty. The shop has been selling Gingerbread using a recipe developed in 1854 by Sarah Nelson, her descendants still run the shop and bakery. There was a farmers market on in the village so we had an early lunch while we were there. We passed a stall selling pulled pork directly from a roasted whole baby pig. We couldn’t resist it, and it was soooo tasty. ?
Next we drove further south to Ambleside. Ambleside is famous, amongst other things, for a small bridge house built in the 1600’s. The story goes that the owner built his house on a bridge over a stream to avoid land tax. Apparently he was successful and raised a family of 4 children in 2 tiny rooms, something not uncommon for the times. While we were there we also called into the local church, St Mary’s, built in 1854. It is possible that as far back as 1597 that a church has stood on the site. It is a magnificent looking early gothic Victorian stone church, with a tall steeple and minimalist interior.
We then drove north to Buttermere and did a big loop through narrow mountain passes, over high mountains and along very narrow roads for most of the time. All the little villages in the north of The Lakes District seem to be magnets for walkers and cyclists, all the pubs were full! The roads and views on the drive were breathtaking. Mountain sides covered by ferns, slate and grasses seemed to go on forever. There was the odd high mountain waterfall cascading down the steep sides, sheep everywhere – I stopped once to let a ewe and its lamb down onto the road. The roads were very steep, it was the first time I have seen a 25% incline sign, but the steepness didn’t seem to bother the cyclists.
Everywhere we went today we saw lots of walkers, they are everywhere up here, a huge industry has developed to look after their needs. There were groups of young people out walking together and very obviously camping out as they followed the trails.
Mum got home from her half world cruise yesterday, we got to briefly talk with her this morning. Good to see her looking happy and well.
Loved the bridge house and the planning to avoid land tax! ?. The countryside sounds splendid. Hello to Karliene, we hope she had a fabulous cruise. Lots of love to you both xoxo