Windemere Walk

Today I planned to do the cruise and walk trip taking us to the far shore of Lake Windemere, catching one ferry to Wray Castle Pier then what was described as an easy 4 mile walk to Ferry House and another short ride to Bowness (where we feasted on roast meats yesterday) and finally a lovely voyage almost up the length of the lake back to Waterhead, Ambleside.

Of course, we missed the 9.50 boat by a few minutes so we went for a walk through Ambleside. More of a canter than an amble as the next boat departure approached sooner than we expected! Hate England's narrow footpaths perilously close to passing wing mirrors.

No Nokia to drop this trip so I got to look at what I missed last trip amid the chaos I was causing having bilge covers lifted in a panic. Soon we were disembarking at the 1840 folly called Wray Castle. Looks the part but really just an eccentric waste of 60,000 pounds.There was a cold onshore wind off the lake as we began our mostly level walk along the shore which discouraged picnics or lengthy stops until we came to a few houses and a pleasant seat for our provisions. The beeches and copper beeches are looking good at present. We tried to grow a copper beech at Leura but a drought killed it well short of the 80+ years it needs to look like these. 

Tess was complaining a little to discover there were still 2.5 miles to go but the wind had eased and it was an easy walk to the wharf where a car ferry normally operated. The short trip to Bowness was uneventful but the highlight was the trip back to Waterhead. The water looked beautiful, the sun was shining and we took some great shots of The Langdale Chase Hotel where we stayed a night almost 30 years ao to celebrate our engagement.

After our exertions it was staright to the nearest pub, a popular Ambleside watering hole. Then back to our neglected studying daughter. We were too tired to do the planned afternoon excursion so we spent an hour in the Ellaray Pub, all three laptops catching up on email, etc. Then a short stagger to the lighthouse cafe in Acme House, Main Road , Windemere. GREAT desserts, decent coffee and I liked my tuna. Then back to Oakdene Apartments for some QI and Boston Legal on Emma's laptop.

And so to bed.