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Published: June 14th 2017
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Geo: 54.3568, -3.03676
Another lovely day in the Lakes District!
It didn't look as good today when we woke (at 8am!!) , but as we got out and headed to Troutbeck, the sun came out and shone on the lake - truly stunning scenery! At Troutbeck (a tiny village near Ambleside), the Browne family farmed and lived in the same house from 1500s to 1950s - with very little changes in the 400 years. We were surprised when we arrived to find that it was open by tour only, and that we were lucky to get places on the tour (groups of 15 only) in 10 minutes. We really are lucky travellers! It was really interesting to see the house and the furniture (much of it hundreds of years old, but ornately carved by a Browne in the 1800s). The kids did really well - the 45 min tour was quite inclusive of kids, but it is a long time for little ones (Matt!) to concentrate.
We then drove to Keswick, another town about 30 minutes up the valley. There was a market on in town, and we had a wander around the town - but not a lot to see there, really.
But I did solve one mystery! We had wondered how anyone could make such bloody awful coffee - when I ordered two cappuchinos. the guy opened a tin labelled "Nescafe Cappucino" and added two teaspoons to hot water! It tastes as bad as it sounds - especailly the lumpy bits down the bottom!!!
A highlight was the stone circle, near to Keswick, called Castlerigg - just a wonderful location, on a high plain surrounded by snow capped mountains. The kids played hide & seek amongst the stones - I hope they will remember this all their lives!
Then, this evening, we headed out to Elterwater, for dinner at the Britannia Inn. It is a traditional 500-year-old Lakeland
Inn nestling in the picturesque village of Elterwater amidst the fells of the Langdale, which had high recommendations in our cottage's guest book. We got there at 6.15pm, they didn't start serving meals until 6.30pm and yet every table both inside and outside were taken! We were again lucky - as the barman was tellling Steven that we had no chance of a table tonight or tomorrow night, a lady offered her table to Steven & Tom as they had bagged a second table at the bar area.
So the kids spent some time throwing a ball to a sheep dog, whilst we waited for the meals to begin. I've been amazed how dog-frienly the UK is/has become - most pubs at the Cotswolds and Lakes District allow dogs inside, lots of shops say dogs welcome and most accomodation allows dogs - and it seems that everyone has a furry friend in tow!
Our meal at the Britannia Inn was very nice - my rack of lamb was superb, the homemade pate was outstanding - but I was a little perplexed by my side dish, which appeared to be a packet of crisps, heated (slightly burned) in the oven! God bless the British food!
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The Mitchell's
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Very jealous! Loving the journey and thanks for taking us along with you!! Our holiday's are just about over and I know where I would rather be!!! Safe travel's!! The Mitchell's