10th July
It was Bhavnis Birthday today. So with us getting up at 5.30, and with everyone wishing her a happy birthday, we left at 7am (30 mins later than we planned). We did not hit too much traffic though but it was a bit hard due to the early start. So our pit stop was north of Birmingham, where we had some breakfast. Half an hour later we were back on our way north, past Manchester, then Lancaster on the M6. Driving past Kendal and Windemere and onto Ableside, where we saw our first view of Lake Windermere near Waterhead. It was around 12:15 when we parked out car and checked into our B&B for the next two nights (Hillsdale). Offloading the car and meeting the hosts (George and Lindsey) we put out bags into the 3rd floor room, and after a quick freshening up we were out within the half hour, parking our car just down the road near the church.
It was a quick 2 minute walk to the town centre, where we had a look at the tourist information (post office), to see if there was any information that would be useful to us. There were a few guides for sale, as well as OS maps, but not really any lists of walks. So instead we had lunch at a local cafe, a baked potato and soup of the day, with tea and coffee.
We then walked to Waterhead which was around 10 minutes away. We got to the park at the end and chilled for a little while on a bench looking over the lake. We got some ice cream and then made our way back towards town.
Getting to the car, we went for a drive. Initially we were aiming for the wast water region near Wasdale (which is really close to Scafell pike). Well we drove past the turning we should have taken, but we ended up near Blea tarn which looked pretty. So we parked at the car park and went for a walk around the lake. It was very gentle so even without our walking shoes it was ok. We saw some people coming back from a longer walks from much more tougher paths. At the end we had to go back on the road back to the car park. We carried on driving the loop back and then parked back at Ambleside. We had 3 hours until dinner so we went to the room and rested for a bit before freshening up and going out at 8pm.
We had a little walk around town looking at the old buildings before having a drink. We got to Doi Intanon (thai restraunt) for 8.45, where we had some nice tempura, corn cakes and a really hot green curry.
It was then back to the B&B after for the night.
11th July
Getting up we were ready and heading downstairs for breakfast at 8.45. Sitting at our assigned table we had cereal, followed by a veg full English for me and toast and beans for Bhavni. After breakfast George gave us some advice about walks and suggested to walk to Grasmere direct from Ambleside – there were two routes; the coffin route and the terrace route. We decided to take the terrace route.
The walk started at the post office, through the town, but soon enough we were in a park and then heading down a quiet country lane, following a river. After some stepping stones and a photo opportunity there, we joined another path that took us slowly up overlooking the river “lakes”. This was the terrace and had some nice views. We came here to a famous cave which we had a look in (Bhavni managed a good photo waiting when there were no people in her shot). Slowly the route then descended to the lake and we eventually found our self in Grasmere. After a bit of window browsing, we went to eat. There was a nice looking place, but the outdoor area was full so we tried another place, sat down, but realised there was little in vegetarian food, so we went back to the first place. After all that we had a place outside.
As the sky had gone really cloudy and George had said the forecast was for afternoon rain, we took the bus back to Ambleside (after getting the ginger biscuits that were recommended) – Rip off at £4 per person for 10 minutes – oh well. Back in Ableside we visited the smallest house – where we had a really nice chat with the National trust lady there, about history and the general surrounds. After we walked to the nearby falls – 15 minutes walk or so, where we chilled for a bit on a small rock overhanging before going back to town.
Back in town Bhavni bought a local road map, then we got into the car and drove to Wray castle (it was around 4pm). The outside is really cool, but the inside is really strange (old naval training place), so much so that Bhavni wanted to get out. After leaving we drove down the road near the lake as according to the map Bhavni bought – It did not tell us the road turned into a bridleway!
Going back round we drove to the car ferry terminal and joined the queue. It was £4 for a car, but we just missed getting on the ferry – so we turned round and drove back as there was no real time advantage of the ferry – just the experience. When we got back to Ambleside, we had a little time to get ready before we had to go to dinner. So it was at 8pm that we crossed the road and went into the vegetarian restaurant, Fallinis where we were given a corner table, next to a loud “couple” – luckily they left soon afterwards. We had roast onion salad which was nice. Then haloumi Kababs (not great) and hazelnut loaf which was better. For desert the fondant chocolate cake was very nice.
Back at the B&B we attempted to watch some comedy but were soon asleep.
12th July
Waking up we finished our packing before heading down for breakfast. We had similar to yesterday, except that Bhavni had hash browns and beans.
Soon we had checked out and loaded our car. Filling up fuel, we then headed to “the struggle”, a proper hill road that connected to the A592. As we got nearer the top we were soon enough in fog. We left the fog as the A592 descended down the Kirkstone pass. The scenery was really nice and brooding with the steel skies as we headed to the Ullswater, and round to Aria Force.
We parked at the National Trust car park there (free for us) and started the walk up to the waterfalls. We took our time, with plenty of others walking it took time to get the ideal photos. As we were nearer the second stone bridge the light drizzle became a bit more prolonged – thank goodness for waterproofs. As we climbed higher, the rain stopped and slowly blue breaks were visable. At the top of the falls (past the high force fall), we just continued up along the river up towards the gate and through the farm lands. Climbing up the pike we were treated to brilliant views of the Ullswater, until we reached over the false peak and up to the peak. It was windy here, but the views were great – we could see north and views including keswick and the northern fells. The sun was really out now and it was lovely as we began our gradual decent, around the hill and in front of the Ullswater.
Getting to the car park we got our tea and scones from the trust tea room – well deserved, before driving on. We took the less traveled route between the Great mell fell and the little mell fell and joined the A66 towards keswick past the northern fells. We turned on towards the Derwant water and drove to a place called the “Surprise”, which has a small hump bridge on the road and nice views of the hills and the Derwant. After a apple break we headed back past Keswick and then down past Grasmere and Ambleside. We headed towards Kendle and as we were hungry we stopped at the Hawkshead brewery for some chips and soup (with an ale for me). Though in retrospect we should have head the ale ice cream instead as it looked good. Bhavni drove the rest of the way home to London.
