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Published: October 12th 2008
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Cheers!
25's not that old Day 140
A three day weekend, we caught the evening train Thursday to Windemere, the heart of the Lakes district considered one of the most beautiful landscapes in England. We arrived at 11.00 pm after we missing our connecting train. We checked in to the Lakes District Backpackers, an innovative non-staffed but clean backpackers, and we hit the only local restaurant open this late at night, the Chinese Dragon. The food was sensational hence we reminicsed last years trip to China.
Day 141 Carly’s 25th Birthday,
Unfortunately it was yet another grey English summer day, but that didn't dull the mood as there was so much to see, do and eat...
After a big breaky at the Lighthouse we called past the tourist office for a couple maps and set off with Beatrix Potter World in our sights. Whilst Carly might have turned 25, she more closely resembed a five year old wandering around the magical world of Peter Rabbit and his friends. Reluctantly Carly left Beatrix Potter World and we wandered along the shore of Lake Windermere, into Bowness-on-Windermere and stumbled across the local pitch and putt. After a slow start we soon hit our strokes (the sun even
started to shin through briefly) and we finished the 18 holes in form.
After golf we jumped on the next bus to Grasmere, a quaint town of cobblestone streets, with hoards of 'trekkers' fitted with all the latest gear including walking poles (undoubtfully required in town!) and old buildings. We grabbed some pies at Bakery for lunch , wandered past the gravestone of the famous William Wordsworth (the poet), the Gingerbread shop and waited for the bus back to Windermere unfortunately on the wrong side of the road for one hour and half, oddly it left on the same side it dropped off. Eventually we made it back to Windermere for some pre-dinner drinks at the backpackers. In true Carly fashion we set off for a Lonely planet highly recommended restaurant and like all recommended restaurants in the Lonely Planet it had either relocated, changed name or closed down, so we ended up back at the restaurant next door to our backpackers "Wicked Windermere" which must have been fate for we were treated to a magnificant three course meal and delicious bottle of red. And finally took the hint to leave once the CD player mysteriously broke and the waiters
became increasingly aggitated.
Day142
After a slower start (nothing to do with all the wine), another couple bacon and egg sanga's at the Lighthouse we hit the road again for Bowness-on-Windermere and caught the boat to Ambleside upon Lake Windermere the biggest lake in England (10miles long) unfortunately the dull grey skies didn't do justice to the beautiful surrounds (or our photo's). With a quick stop at the Chocolate Shop for some incredible white chocolate covered raspberries, we jumped on the next boat to Wray Castle. After a quick tour of the unfurnished castle we meandered down the other side of Lake Windermere busy with water skiers, boaters despite the chilly weather. From here restricted by time we settled with getting the Ferry back to avoid being stranded and grabbed some sensation tapas at the South African restaurant.
After a relaxing afternoon we ventured out to try some local Cumberland ales, less than impressed with both the beers and meals (it was going to be a tough ask to meet the previous night standards) we called it an early night before the next days trekking expedition.
Day143
Up bright and early we headed to Grasmere set to tackle
the 'Alcock Tarn' walk, described as a short but challenging walking trail. With the map clenched firmly in Jez hand we set off along the path, behind a hoard of 60 year olds (fitted out with poles), a little concerned we were slightly underprepared we forged ahead with the skies growing darker by the minute. After a short shower which turned into constant drizzle we reached the Alcock Tarn, a small dam at the peak of the mountains without breaking a sweat.
Slightly disappointed, we made our way back down to Grasmere taking a slight detour the wrong way before having to clamber over a fence and through four foot high grasses and back on track. We stopped for a couple pics of Mr William Wordsworth "Dove Cottege", before checking in for some soup at the Riverside Cafe. We got the bus back to Ambleside (this time from the right side of the road) to explore the mirid of camping shops as the rain continued to fall. With an essential stop at the "Apple Pie" for a famous... apple pie before we caught the bus back to Windermere and train back to Birmingham.
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