Lake District Day 2

Sunday, 8 September 2019

We woke up, got dressed, and went downstairs for breakfast.  We plan on doing a 7 mile hike today, so we each ordered a big breakfast.  After getting stuffed, we checked out and headed to Ullswater Lake and the town of Glenridding. 

The cute town of Glenridding

The plan is to take a "steamer" boat from Glenridding to Howtown (45 minute ride) and hike back 7 miles on the Ullswater Way hiking trail.  According to the brochure, "This section of path, described by Wainwright as “the most beautiful and rewarding walk in Lakeland” undulates through woodland and open fell giving stunning views over Ullswater and its islands."  Wainwright refers to Alfred Wainwright (1907-1999), a well-known English hiking guidebook author.

We showed up at the boat pier and found that the next boat is in 1 hour, so we decided to hike first and then take the boat back.   The first mile of the hike was along a road to the town of Patterson, and then a path headed towards the mountains.

Headed to the hills

Here are some cool photos Tim took along the 7 mile hike:

Artists' Seat

Our future boat ride

Towards the end of the hike we came across the Kathleen Raine Poetry Stones.  The lines inscribed on three rocks in this area are from two poems by Kathleen Raine (1908-2003), a local poet inspired by this area.

"Stone into man must grow, the human word. Carved by our whispers in the passing air."

Words say, waters flow, "Rocks weather, ferns wither, winds blow, times go,"

Me enjoying the Poetry Stones

We arrived in Howtown about 15 minute after the ferry left, so we had to wait about 1 hour for the next one.  We ate some lunch and chilled out on the dock.  Finally the "steamer" now runs on diesel, arrived.

It was a bit chilly on the deck, so we sat inside, but the scenery was beautiful, so I made Tim get out there and take a few photos.  Here is one of them:

We arrived back in Glenridding around 4:20 PM and our car around 4:30 PM.  We were looking forward to getting to our AirBnB, so decided to stop at a store on the way there for some wine, cheese, and crackers for dinner.

This AirBnB is really nice with exposed beams and a wood burning stove that Tim loves.

It was a nice evening of wine and cheese and beer...or should I say very warm night since Tim made a fire and heated up the bungalow to about 90 degrees.  We watched two movies on Netflix, Baby Daddy and A Simple Favor.  I didn't actually do this blog last night, but the following night.  I am now 1 blog behind, but I'm too tired to do today's blog today...maybe tomorrow.