Lakes District and Yorkshire Dales

Leaving Dumfries on Thurs.19^th in the pouring rain, we drove 8 miles south to New Abbey to pay a visit to the impressive ruins of Sweetheart Abbey, a Cistercian monastery founded in 1275 by Dervorguilla of Galloway in memory of her husband John de Balliol, whose embalmed heart was buried beside her when she died – the monks at the Abbey then renamed the Abbey in her honour.

Down the road a little, we detoured off the main road a couple of times, down skinny little lanes to the coast on the Solway Firth, visiting a couple of coastal towns and then headed back to Dumfries with another detour on the way to see the Drumcoltran Tower which has been in the Maxwell Family for hundreds of years. 

After going through Dumfries, our next destination was Caerlaverock Castle, a triangular castle with a real moat! 

A brief stop at Gretna Green Blacksmith'e shop

before leaving Scotland for this green and pleasant land – England!  Down the motorway to Penrith and then into the Lakes District, where we spent the next  four days.  The first night we spent in Pooley Bridge at the northern tip of Ullswater, then we ambled down to Ambleside through the Kirkstone Pass

Stopping at the pub at the top for lunch.

We stayed at Ambleside for the next three nights.

The camp was on the edge of the town where during our stay we went to the cinema, tried out a couple of pubs, patronised the launderette, shopped at Tesco’s, checked out a rock concert on the green, explored the village which was very, very busy all weekend, caught buses to Grasmere, Windermere and Bowness on a 7pound Day Ticket, and took a boat cruise to Bowness on Windermere and wandered through the very, very busy streets before returning to Ambleside with a stop at Brockhole, an adventure playground.  

The boat day, Saturday 21^st, was overcast and misty which gave the lake an ethereal feel, we kept looking for a hand emerging from the water holding a sword but were disappointed…no Lady of the Lake!! 

The bus day, Sunday 22^nd,

was gloriously warm and sunny, with the temperature reaching 21 degrees…we actually sat outside in the afternoon.  It was a lovely, lovely little holiday which we thoroughly enjoyed…Mike and Boris particularly enjoyed the no driving part.

This morning, Mon.23^rd, we left Ambleside and drove to Coniston, stopping for coffee and scones with jam and cream and a walk down to the boat jetty,

then along Coniston Water, stopping when and where we could to take in the scenery and to take photos.  Any one who has visited the Lake District will know how stunningly beautiful it is and how difficult it is to describe that beauty.  Some photos may help…..

Now we are in Yorkshire, in the Dales this time in the town of Hawes.  Quite different from the Lakes, but also beautiful countryside. 

On our arrival here, we strolled down the hill to town for a beer at one of the four pubs…Mike still hasn’t found a beer he can’t drink…but no doubt will continue the search!