Tam’s Think Tank

Daring Duo

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Here are the boys, excited to be moving along the trail. Pretty terrific, both of them, making it the whole way without even one complaint.

Lake District National Park

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Just lovely. We had perfect walking weather. It was not too hot, overcast, and slightly windy.

Looking Out Over Ullswater

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

This view was from the trail we were hiking. Beautiful.

The Most Common Resident

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

These are the guys that are everywhere in the lake district and really, all around northern England. They are different looking sheep than we’ve seen in the U.S.

IMG_7048.JPG

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Pretty typical of what the countryside looks like in the lake district. Not many trees, lots of ferns, rocky tops and outcroppings. It’s very different, but lovely.

Along The Wall

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

These walls are everywhere, meant to keep the sheep in. Pretty fantastic, considering the work that goes into first making them, and then maintaining them.

Ullswater Steamer

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

We took this from Glenridding to Howtown then walked back along the lake. The name of this vessel… Lady Of The Lake. Cool eh?

Yesterday, Sunday, we traveled to Ullswater in the Lake District and took one of the Ullswater Steamers from Glenridding to Howtown. From Howtown we did one of the walks/hikes around the edge of the lake back to Glenridding. The length of this hike you ask? We guessed it at about 7 miles and were quite pleased with ourselves for having done it, especially considering we’re not in the best of shape. It’s lovely in the Lake District, which is pretty much considered the most beautiful area of England. In fact, most of it, if not all, is a National Park.

The hike itself was at times a bit up and down and therefore somewhat difficult, but all in all we survived quite nicely, and all still having smiles on our faces at the end. We were all very much impressed with the dogs, who both made it easily. Even the little guy, Ziggy, who is only 4 months old and not exactly built for long distance travel did well. He was pretty amazing, running uphill in even the most difficult spots, jumping from rock to rock.

As for the countryside around the lake… it was wonderful… beautiful… and overall very different from what we’ve experienced anywhere else. Rolling hills, rocky outcroppings, few trees, lots of sheep, rock walls as fences, beautiful farm rock built farm houses, lots of sheep, lovely views of the lake, ferns growing everywhere, and… yes… lots of sheep.

From start to finish we very much enjoyed our time there and would recommend highly that anyone visiting this country venture up to spend time. You won’t be disappointed.

After arriving back in Lancaster we dropped off the dogs, changed our clothes, and headed to the Sultan of Lancaster, Mary and Martin’s favorite Indian restaurant. The food was excellent and the location very amazing. The building the restaurant is in used to be a church and the ornate woodwork inside is outstanding.

As for today… we’ve spent the day hanging out at the house with only a small walk to downtown for chai, a fan, and a stop off at the Cornish pasty shop. Mary enjoyed a spicy chicken (which was like curried chicken) pasty and I had a traditional beef pasty (pronounced, for all you Americans out there, like pass-tee). Karen decided on a crumpet with butter and jam after we got back to the house. And Martin, who was at work at the University while we ate, had a sausage sandwich after he got home. It’s been a quite day, and lovely.

Tomorrow, we go to Manchester….