Through a glass darkly
For such a northern county, Cumbria has some amazing gardens to visit. Perhaps because of all the rain they seem to be lush green oases in a sea of, well, lush green scenery! I love wandering round them whatever the weather; here's a handful of my favourites. Acorn Bank Technically just outside the Lake District... Continue Reading →
Yesterday we took a break from endless chores and gardening and drove over to Coniston, which we hadn't visited for nearly a year. The forecast was for warm sunshine. In the event it clouded over and the light was a bit flat for decent photography, but we still enjoyed a lovely walk down to the... Continue Reading →
Last week we spent a few days away in the south Devon town of Dartmouth, for our first holiday for over a year. We last stayed in the town nearly twenty years ago, so it was interesting to see what had changed - and what hadn't. Obviously there are a few new things, but overall... Continue Reading →
There's a lovely piece on the BBC website today about Britain's favourite locations to start walks from. Top of the list is Edale in Derbyshire's Peak District national park, but coming in at number five is Ambleside right here in the Lake District. This is virtually on our doorstep and is a real favourite with... Continue Reading →
Windermere town centre isn't particularly big, but it's well stocked with a selection of shops, cafes and restaurants - and more than a few interesting or unusual features if you know where to look. One of these is on Crescent Road, one of two main streets that form the town centre. At first glance, it... Continue Reading →
The UK's towns are full of history, often reflected in their odd street names. Here's a small collection I've gathered on my travels around the country over the last few years: High Wiend, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria Appleby used to be the county town of Westmorland and mostly dates from the early twelfth century when the castle... Continue Reading →
When we visited Grange-over-Sands the other week I was intrigued by one particular building. This was a fairly substantial stone-built barn or workshop, on a corner of Hampsfell Road just off the main 'drag' of the town centre but still close by. The building had me puzzled for a number of reasons. It was large... Continue Reading →
We're between storms at the moment, with a wild afternoon yesterday and the sixth named storm of the winter promised for later today. To make the most of the quiet(er) conditions this morning we headed to Hawkshead, hoping to fit in a walk - and were reasonably successful. Coffee first, in a fairly new little... Continue Reading →
At this time of year it's worth seizing every opportunity for a walk, even if the weather isn't very promising. Yesterday was misty, bordering on foggy, and cold, with snow still lying on the fells. But the sun broke through the low cloud every now and again and the pavements weren't icy, so off to... Continue Reading →
