Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Hills, most of them cloudy

Last Friday it was our wedding anniversary. It has been 6 years since we ran away to Las Vegas and to celebrate this event (as we are saving the return trip to Vegas for our 10 year anniversary) we went to our favourite place in Blighty for a few days.

We rented a tiny apartment in Ambleside, just outside of town up a tiny lane with stone cottages which is described in the tourist brochure as 'the delightful Peggy Hill' - this was renamed, after returning on foot from a 10 mile+ round of the Fairfield Horseshoe, 'the scabby Peggy Hill'. I didn't get a picture as just as I got my camera out a delivery van pulled up at the foot of the hill with hazards flashing and spoilt it. Here is some snow instead.

Top of Fairfield - it were a bit parky!

From Nab Scar, looking down to Ambleside

Next day, as a break from walking, we took the ferry down Windermere to Bowness to visit Blackwell, which is a beautiful house in the Arts & Crafts style - it made a real change from the usual stately homes we see in England and I bought a copy of the best book in the world ever! It is surprising how little you can fit into a short winter day if you don't go places by car, it was dusk as we were on the return ferry - very romantic!

Bowness

Windermere, heading back to Ambleside

On the last day of our break we walked up Helm Crag, over Gibson Knott to Calf Crag and back down Easedale Gill. This would have been a lovely walk if it hadn't been peeing it down all day and blowing a gale. Still, it is days like this that make you appreciate the days when you get clear blue skies... like the following day when we were coming home. T'uh!

Far Easedale Gill

Sheepses in the sun

I decided against taking the shawl away with me and decided to make a start on a pair of socks in a colourful Lana Grossa yarn that I bought in a sale on a whim recently. I am too ashamed to show it to you. I am making the most hideous socks in the world :(

17 comments:

Unknown said...

Those pictures are beautiful! I love the English countryside. I sometimes miss my walks in Scotland.

blog-blethers said...

Happy Anniversary and what a wonderful trip ... the pictures are just beautiful. I spent quite a lot of time near Windemere when I was a student on placement in Lancaster.

Devan is just perfect!

Anonymous said...

Oh, look at those photos. How absolutely gorgeous.

Linda said...

Happy belated anniversary! the pictures are lovely of your little getaway.

gilraen said...

Oh wow!!! I love the pics!!

Happy Anniversary too :)

Kai said...

Happy Anniversary!!! Love that part of the country too... :) Those piccies are stunning, once again.

Auntie Noo said...

Happy Anniversary! What a fabulous weekend. There's something magical about walking at this time of the year - even in the rain!

Hawkesley said...

It sounds like you had a lovely anniversary break. The photos are gorgeous. I especially like the photo to the jetty on the lake. Very atmospheric! Happy Anniversary, by the way!

Piglottie said...

Happy belated Anniversary! Your trip looks brilliant and you always take such beautiful pictures. I love the one of Easedale Gill.

Fiona Reynolds said...

Lovely pix - I love Ambleside. And congrats on your anniversary.

Seahorse said...

Belated Anniversary wishes! I love those pics!

Turtle Runner said...

Stunning photos!!!!

florencemary said...

Beautiful photos of the Lakes again - I wanna be there! Hope you had a luvverly anniversary....

Artis-Anne said...

A Belated Happy Annniversary to you both.
Fabulous photos as always

kathryn said...

Belated Happy Anniversary and what lovely pictures - they are a lovely reminder of times we've spent there!

TutleyMutley said...

Lovely lovely lovely. And guess where I'm going on a walking holiday in February? Yay, the Lake District... (Borrowdale to be precise, with the walking women's holiday folk)
And now I just can't WAIT!

TutleyMutley said...

Oh, and glad you HAD a happy anniversary! A toast to many more.