Penrith and Environs

What a day!
Just back to the Elleray after a longer than expected (they always are) tour of the neighbouring towns.

After dropping Emma off for the 10.50 to Manchester, we headed towards Kendal. After winding our way along the one-way by-pass roads, thanks to the phone, we spotted its historic heart to the right across another fast flowing river. Across the river ?????? stood an impressive 12th century church and other historic buildings now housing a renowned museum. Inside the church was a part of the cross dated 850 AD from the original church. Friendly steward told us of his visits to Oz.

Next was Sizergh Castle and gardens. I was impatient with the left turn queue which meant I headed in quite the wrong direction - it is actually yards from the A6 but phone took us through some tiny lanes, small even for the English. Finally arrived at Castle entrance and up the long drive with tantalising views as we drove along. Quick tour of gardens given overcast conditions and Tess keen to keep moving ahead of the tour groups. Could spend a long time here but weather conditions and travel weariness were not conducive this time. Enjoyed a bite to eat at the village pub - popular and well run - duck pate, mushroom soup and roast beef baguette.

Then it was on to Levin Hall and its famous topiary gardens. Reluctant to pay 10.50 pounds for what we couldn't see over the fence we instead enjoyed the park and river nearby and continued on our way north towards Penrith. Tess was determined to see another druid circle, Long Meg and her sisters. It was nowhere on my phone but fortunately some locals pointed us in the right direction. I have a short clip of the scene as Tess sought cosmic forces and to console herself over the loss of daughter.

Penrith also has some famous buildings and sights but time was ticking by. We had seen a couple of other ruined abbeys along the way but I will have t o get their names from photos.
Returned to Windemere via Ullswater in better weather and stopped off at some falls - a nice walk but hardly Niagara or even Katoomba Falls.

STAND BY FOR PHOTOS.