Before long our last day in the Lakes was upon us - three days in this beautiful part of the country is NOT enough! Even though public transit in the Lakes is pretty good you still can't see everything so that is why we booked a tour. I was glad that Joanne picked the Ten Lakes Spectacular as I had been on the tour the previous year and really enjoyed it.
After being picked up at the bus stop just a couple of minutes' walk from our bed and breakfast we were on our way. We were the last ones on as Ambleside is the last stop before that particular tour begins. A nice young man kindly gave up his seat (without being asked) so Joanne and I could sit together.
The scenery was fantastic as we drove over the Kirkstone pass...
Our first stop was Ullswater where we had a quick look around. There is passenger boat service from here but unfortunately not for our tour group. It was great for a "comfort stop" and time for a few quick photos.
Then it was back on the bus for our next stop which was a visit to Matterdale church. This beautiful little church dates from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
This photo is rather dark but the 17th-century rails in front of the altar were to keep the animals out!
We were able to roam a bit on our next stop which was Castlerigg Stone Circle. This is one of Britain's oldest stone circles dating back three thousand years. What is even more amazing as that the rocks used are not native to the area.
Maybe not as impressive as Stonehenge but in a much prettier setting in my personal opinion.
We couldn't dawdle too long as we had a booking on the noon sailing on Derwentwater. Fun fact: only one lake in the Lake District is actually referred to as a lake. (Bassenthwaite) The others' names end with "mere" or "water".
It was an enjoyable cruise but as that was my third time (last year and before that in 1997 on a walking holiday) I think I am done!!!
Time for lunch! We were dropped in the middle of the town of Keswick where we had cornish pasties for lunch and Joanne canoodled with an owl.
Back on the bus...
and off to the Surprise View which has a stunning view over Derwentwater.
Then it was over the Honister Pass and a stop at a slate mine for a comfort break. The views from here were amazing. The slate mine which had operated since the late 19th century (although slate had been mined from this area since the 17th century) closed in 1981. In 1997 local entrepreneur Mark Weir bought it and not only continued to mine the slate (for more high-end items) but turned it into an adventure centre where harnessed tourists can scale the nearby cliff walks in a group, visit the underground mine as well as explore the visitor centre. I used the loo!
Above is a slate replica of the Bridge House in Ambleside.
I was feeling a bit of a scallywag in this picture as I had just walked past a sign that said "do not go beyond this sign" or some such thing. I am not one of those idiots that jumps fences for a selfie but this looked pretty safe to me!
Then we wound our way down the pass where our final stop of the day was in Grasmere. While everyone else rushed off to get some of the famous gingerbread and pay their respects to William Wordsworth grave (we had "been there, done that" two days previously) we snooped around the wonderful gift shop in Grasmere's garden centre where the bus had parked.
Okay the tour says ten lakes - where are they all? Well we saw ten lakes even if from a distance. What a beautiful day!!!!
After being picked up at the bus stop just a couple of minutes' walk from our bed and breakfast we were on our way. We were the last ones on as Ambleside is the last stop before that particular tour begins. A nice young man kindly gave up his seat (without being asked) so Joanne and I could sit together.
The scenery was fantastic as we drove over the Kirkstone pass...
Our first stop was Ullswater where we had a quick look around. There is passenger boat service from here but unfortunately not for our tour group. It was great for a "comfort stop" and time for a few quick photos.
Then it was back on the bus for our next stop which was a visit to Matterdale church. This beautiful little church dates from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
This photo is rather dark but the 17th-century rails in front of the altar were to keep the animals out!
We were able to roam a bit on our next stop which was Castlerigg Stone Circle. This is one of Britain's oldest stone circles dating back three thousand years. What is even more amazing as that the rocks used are not native to the area.
Maybe not as impressive as Stonehenge but in a much prettier setting in my personal opinion.
It was an enjoyable cruise but as that was my third time (last year and before that in 1997 on a walking holiday) I think I am done!!!
Time for lunch! We were dropped in the middle of the town of Keswick where we had cornish pasties for lunch and Joanne canoodled with an owl.
Back on the bus...
and off to the Surprise View which has a stunning view over Derwentwater.
Then it was over the Honister Pass and a stop at a slate mine for a comfort break. The views from here were amazing. The slate mine which had operated since the late 19th century (although slate had been mined from this area since the 17th century) closed in 1981. In 1997 local entrepreneur Mark Weir bought it and not only continued to mine the slate (for more high-end items) but turned it into an adventure centre where harnessed tourists can scale the nearby cliff walks in a group, visit the underground mine as well as explore the visitor centre. I used the loo!
Above is a slate replica of the Bridge House in Ambleside.
I was feeling a bit of a scallywag in this picture as I had just walked past a sign that said "do not go beyond this sign" or some such thing. I am not one of those idiots that jumps fences for a selfie but this looked pretty safe to me!
Then we wound our way down the pass where our final stop of the day was in Grasmere. While everyone else rushed off to get some of the famous gingerbread and pay their respects to William Wordsworth grave (we had "been there, done that" two days previously) we snooped around the wonderful gift shop in Grasmere's garden centre where the bus had parked.
Okay the tour says ten lakes - where are they all? Well we saw ten lakes even if from a distance. What a beautiful day!!!!
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