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Wednesday 20 October 2010

The Lakes.....

You may recall last Wednesday I said we were off on a jaunt?   We went on a day trip to the Lake District and our first stop was Kendal, which is considered to be the southern gateway to the Lake District being only around 9 miles from Windermere and around 30 miles from Keswick. The other lakes are all within an hour or two's travelling by car from the town, as are locations for walks and rambles, both gentle and demanding.   The town’s traditional trade was in wool, from which the town’s motto “Pannus mihi panis”, literally meaning “wool is my bread” was taken.  The town’s most famous export must be Kendal Mint Cake. Joseph Wiper came up with the original recipe for the Everest conquering energy bars, and by the time the company was sold to rival mint cake makers Romneys.

The first thing we noticed when we arrived in Kendal was this





Whoopee!  However as it was only 10.30 and it didn't open until noon we had a walk round the many little streets looking in the shops and visited the small market first.   




I've put together a little slide show of some of the little streets in Kendal and the more interesting buildings.




We then found this charming pub where we decided to have lunch.


With a history...



It was lovely inside - warm, welcoming and bright.



We had a lovely lunch of Steak and Ale pie with new potatoes, carrots, sugar snap peas and cauliflower all washed down with real ale.



By the time we'd finished lunch it was 12.45 and the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Beer and Cider Festival at the Town Hall across the street had been open for 45 mins so we decided to pop over and partake of some more real ale.

The Town Hall is a beautiful old building and inside was typical of old style town halls with wood panelling and shiny tiled floors.  On Heritage Open Day in Kendal the Town Council open the Mayor's Parlour to the public.  This is a rare opportunity to see and learn about the historic artefacts stored in the Mayor's Parlour, including The Sword of State, the pair of Maces, Kendal Pattern Book and Queen Catherine Parr's Book of Devotions. Catherine Parr the last wife of Henry VIII, was born in Kendal Castle.


This is what greeted us when we got into the room where the Festival was being held.


We hired two half pint tankards and bought a sheet of payment vouchers for £5 and made our way to the bar where we purchased two halves of two of the 30+ ales and ciders on sale very cheaply, then found a seat at the other end of the room.  Some of the more unusual named ales were Chocolate Cherry Mild, Perfect Disaster, Bottle Wreck Porter, Cocker Hoop, Thirst Rescue, Hung Drawn & Portered, Lonesome Pine, W'Ruff Night, Collie Wobbles, Village Idiot, Warlock Stout and Old Bushy Tail - you want to try some now don't you?



We had to meet the coach at 1.30 p.m. to take us on the next leg of our trip but we just had time to try another half pint of a different brew before we took our tankards and voucher back for a refund.   We did consider asking our coach driver if she could come back for us later but decided against it.

Our next destination was Bowness on Windermere, which is Cumbria’s most popular destination, with the town busy for much of the year. People come to enjoy the lake for sailing and watersports, or just to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the area and the town’s delightful setting.   Our coach driver dropped us off right next to the lake and although the day was very overcast there were plenty of people taking boat tours on lake Windermere, which is the largest lake in England.




We headed up into town away from the lake to meander around the streets for a while.   We came across a confectioner's that specialised in celebration cakes and just had to take a photo of this wedding cake in the window.


Isn't it fabulous?

Here's a little slide show of the photos we took around Windermere.



It was almost time to return to the coach for our journey home so we popped into The John Peel for one last drink before heading back.

The weather wasn't fantastic - dull and chilly - but we had a great day.  Hope you enjoyed it too.

25 comments:

Flowerpot said...

I had a dear friend who I have lost touch with - or rather she lost touch with me if you know what I mean. Her mum lives in Kendal and I've often wondered what it was like... thanks for that!

Valerie said...

Love the slide shows and pictures. You saw such a lot in a day that I wondered if you'd forgotten you stayed overnight as well.

MorningAJ said...

Gorgeous spot. We were up there in April and had a wonderful holiday!

Ron said...

Oh, what a CHARMING little town!

That's what I love about Europe, the magical "feel" of all that wonderful history. And the cloudy day, for me anyway, actually adds to the atmosphere.

Awesome slide shows!

And that wedding cake?

FAAAAABULOUS!

Thanks for sharing your jaunt, m'dear! Always enjoyed!

Have a great day!

X

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful town and I loved the photos and slide show. How fun. Thanks for sharing :)

Daryl said...

Its looks cold but inviting... I love sharing your travels!

CrystalChick said...

Looks like a fine time and fun festival. Great photos as always!
Glad you enjoyed yourselves.

Traveling Bells said...

A town worth visiting, and a lovely festival...

Spiky Zora Jones said...

akelamalu: hi honey. I've been involved with cakes these last two months. My sis in law gets with me to come up with new ideas...and I'm recruited to help in the art design. it's lots of fun and it keeps me busy.

yousaw so much. You make me want to go visit your island so badly...I'll give in one day and jump on the next plane there...one day.

fab photos sweetie...thanks you for the rour. xxx

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

oh how FUN! you two always get into something fun, don't you! ha ha ha

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxo

KB said...

Enjoyed this. Love the Lake District, was a favourite place of mine to visit when I lived in England.

cheshire wife said...

Thank you for sharing. We have been trying to get to the Lake District for about three yars now and haven't managed to make it.

A Lady's Life said...

Such nice pictures
Its like going back in time.
:) totally enjoyed this.:)

Finding Pam said...

Wonderful photos and I enjoyed learning about that cute town. Love the produce stands and everything about your trip.

Thank you for sharing your trip with us.

Linda said...

Claire has mentioned The Lakes to me before - so nice to actually see it!

Looks like you had quite the lovely day and I just love that wedding cake - what craftsmanship!

I love when you go on these jaunts of yours - tell MWM that you must continue to take them to make your blog readers happy!

Cloudia said...

How fabulous. I so enjoyed this, wish I could try that cheese and beer and CIDER!

Cheers



Aloha from Hawaii

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Akelamalu said...

Glad to be of service Flowerpot. Shame you've lost touch with your friend.

We actually thought about staying overnight Valerie but we had things to do at home the following day. :)

It's a beautiful part of our country isn't it AJ? :)

I just know you would love touring the UK Ron and you wouldn't mind the crappy weather either. (wink)

So glad you enjoyed it Thom :)

Oh the cold weather really doesn't matter when you're enjoying yourself does it Daryl? :)

Yes it was Crystalchick, glad you enjoyed it.

Welcome Travelling Bells and yes, it is a town worth visiting.

I admire anyone that can come up with confectionary like that Spiky. You should post some photos on your blog honey. I do hope you get to visit our little island some day, you would love it. x

We do have fun Bee and enjoy every single minute. :)

I love the Lake District too KB, there's so much to see.

Oh you must get there Cheshire Wife, it's so worth the visit.

I'm pleased you enjoyed the photos Lady's Life, and yes, it is quite olde worlde.

The little market was quite cute Pam and I'm pleased you enjoyed reading about our visit.

That cake was just one of many splendid creations Linda. MWM loves our little trips just as much as I do so we will be doing lots more God willing. :)

I wish you could try the cheese, beer and Cider too Cloudia - you must come to visit. x

Dumdad said...

That photo of the pub bar is brilliant: makes me yearn to be in an English pub like that. It's my shout - I'm having a pint of Collie Wobbles, what's yours?

Charlene Amsden said...

Amoeba would have loved to try any of those porters. I am a typical American beer drinker and prefer milder pale ales -- although my beers of choice are German and Mexican in origin.

I love your train excursions and am so jealous each time you post one. Great pics! Which I were there!

secret agent woman said...

Sounds like an all-around wonderful day. And that cake is something else!

secret agent woman said...

Sounds like an all-around wonderful day. And that cake is something else!

Maude Lynn said...

You visit the loveliest places!

Maggie May said...

It is lovely up there and I'm glad you had a good time.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Just catching up on your train trip, too. No wonder you loved that wedding cake shaped like suitcases, ready for the honeymoon!

Thanks for taking us to Kendal. The old buildings are just my cup of tea.

As for the ale names, W'Ruff Night and Village Idiot are definitely my favourites. And the festival begs the question: 'Campaign for Real Ale' suggests that there is such as thing a Fake Ale. How did we end up with fake ale?

TBM said...

Oh what fun, dear Akelamalu! I have wanted to make a trip up to the Lake District for ages. Hopefully soon... xo