Day Eighteen - a day to drive

[byslantedlight]

Happiness is being offered a free night's accommodation at the B&B...

...but I didn't accept it, cos I knew that if I didn't head north as planned, I never would... So I did drive north, and this is what I saw, and it was all happy too - cos happiness is also being on holiday. *g*

I drove and drove and drove and drove and found a castle...
(Sizergh Castle in Cumbria!) The family still lives there, but National Trust looks after it - hopefully the best of both worlds for those concerned. And it made a good place for me to stop at last, phone YHA for some accommodation, and know where I was aiming for. And have a wee explore, since I was there. *g* Look at that dining room! Oak panels! Tudor-ness!



Loved this wee bathroom, built into a cupboard for the convenience of guests!

And then I drove and drove and drove and drove... through the Lake District. At first I was just frustrated, because there was nowhere to stop for even a second - everywhere threatened you with licenceplate recognition cameras if you didn't pay for a whole hour's parking, or pointed out that that spot was someone's private and spot and You May Not... and when there was somewhere to stop, the view wasn't nearly as pretty as the rest had been! (Though granted, not bad... *g*)

But eventually I found a few spots... and tried sticking my camera out the window... *g*

Isn't it all rather pretty, even if it is mostly green and grey? Love the glowering hills, and the misty-distant hills, and... the hills. *g*

Eventually I came out in Keswick, where I'd managed to find a bed. Here's the view through my bedroom window...

And past the gloriously scented yellow thingummyjig, down the river (which runs past the YHA too).

And finally, here's what started to happen when I was having dinner (Italian - pasta and red wine and gelato. Cos sometimes - Italian. *g*). There was lightning and thunder and everything! It calmed down by the time I set off back to the YHA though, and those are views from the YHA/my room. It's started raining again now, mind, proper northern rain, which means it, all gorgeous drips on stone and big spatters of it on the street... *g* Storms make me happy... the world being all alive!

So that's today, and I'm sharing a room with two nice retired Aussies, who're walking around Keswick, and generally exploring where the will takes them for three months. We had quite the conversation about the joys of being single and being able to do whatever we wanted! *g* And now I'm going to go to bed, and read some more Lauriston/Balfour, which I'm still enjoying - second book, now! (Oh no, I'm going to write a review of the other book that I just read, first... *g*)

If the rain's caught up with you too, then I hope it's in the most glorious way possible!

Comments

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

You've got to have rain if you're in Keswick, it wouldn't be right if you didn't! *g*

By coincidence, I've stayed virtually next door to the YHA many times (at the Riverside Flats) so I can picture exactly where you are. I'll be over there again in July actually, although staying just outside Keswick this time.

If you get the chance then try to explore Borrowdale, you won't be disappointed. And if you happen to have a wander around Borrowdale churchyard you may even spot the gravestone of someone named George Cowley!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Lol - it was very impressive rain! How cool that you've stayed right close, too! Keswick and the surrounds are really lovely, aren't they... I drove through Borrowdale on the way up, and wished I could have hung around there a bit... *g*

[ailcia.livejournal.com]

Arrrgh, having just left the North (though the other side of it) these photos have made me terribly homesick! In the best possible way, though.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

As long as it's the happy kind of homesick! I shall be swinging by your side of it in a few days - though I've no idea how close I'll get to making you homesick for the right side... *g*

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

The new-ish (well, ten years or so) difficulties in finding anywhere to park do tend to spoil the Lake District! I suppose the restrictions are necessary but they must put some tourists off! Thunderstorms were forecast throughout the north west for yesterday but all we got (south Manchester) was one heavy shower early evening. It's sunny again this morning so I'm hoping it is for you, too. I think the Lake District has totally different personalities that it puts on according to the weather! And yes, to get there from Glastonbury at a reasonable time you certainly drove and drove and drove!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

I dunno, you'd think they could find ways to make the best of both worlds - it's alright for tourists who're staying there (which I suppose they want to encourage) but if you just want to stop for five minutes to take a photo, they're very aggressive about it!

It has indeed been sunny here today - hurrah! *g* There was more driving and driving and driving, too... *g*

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Isn't it great how you can find the most wonderful places just by chance? A glamorous castle and glorious scenery—what more could you ask for? :-)

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Hee - I can be very greedy, you know... *g* (I mean, how fab would it have been to stay there, for instance... *vbg* But yes - I was very happy with just how it was! *g*

[scherwood]

Nice pics. :D

I want that window seat. *pout*

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

And yeah, I wanted the windowseat too... and the castle to keep it in... *g*