Woke up early to go to the Windermere-on-Bowness (or Bowness) to spend the morning before breakfast. No tourists yet so we have the whole jetty to ourselves. Geese, swans and ducks were around. Cold tho.
We went back to Mylne to have our breakfast. Wow! the breakfast was so good! and the portion was so huge that we could forget about lunch altogether. I took my hats off to Jim and Lorraine for their superb breakfasts!
We started off with Loughrigg Teerace. Gentle climb and very rewarding. The whole Grasmere Lake is within our view from the high point. Look like a pool of pristine water. The sun really brought out the spirit of the lakes.
We continued on towards Keswick to see the prehistoric Castlerigg Stone Circles. It is similar to Stonehenge except that it is smaller in scale and less well-known. But we could go near to take photo.
There was a flee market at Keswick. We spent quite sometime there, continue our shopping spree. Every sport shops have a branch there. The place was swarmed with tourists.
We then drove along Crummock Water and Borrowdale onwards to Ullswater. Scenic drive. On the way to Ullswater, we saw lotsa vintage cars drove past us in opposite direction, some even in skull caps. So cool. Like those movies in the 50s haha.
We visited the waterfall at Aira Force.
Took some pictures then went back to Windermere through Kirkstone Pass. The road is so narrow and winding. My car tyres hit the sides of the road quite a few times. Some places are so narrow that only one car is able to pass so we have to give way to each other.
We had another wonderful dinner at Magic Wok. England vs USA today. In our heart, we were thinking that if England had won, we might get free beers and free merchandise the next day - turn out to be a dream.
The next day, it was drizzling. Not much mood. We drove to Langdale Valley.
After Wrynose Pass (gradient 15%), the Hardnost Pass with 30% gradient was clearly a killer. I sensed that the handbrake wasnt working so well, so took a decision to U-turn back. Sigh. Didnt complete the route. On hindsight, I made a mistake of stopping too much when going up.
Then we stopped at Ambleside for some light shopping before we head to Bowness.
I must say that was the lowest point of our mood. The drizzle turn rather heavy. So we hid our ourselves in the shop and miraculously, the drizzle stopped. The weather had turned for the better! Phew. I walked around the jetty, which was so full of bus loads of tourists now, as compared to yesterday morning. So many yachts and boats dotted the lake. The whole place is abuzz, more so now since the drizzle has stopped.
I went to the Orrest Head, which is one of the high vantage point above Windermere to appreciate the beauty of the lake. After making some enquiry at the Tourists Office, I walked up to the Orrest Head. There was this Japanese lady who was also on the same way - and we ended up as the only two at the top of the hill haha. Then a old man with a dog reached the top as well. It turned out that he is a owner of a inn in Windermere. He showed me where is the sea - The Mecombbe Bay and so much more. The japanese lady showed me where are the rabbits.
Then there were more and more people came up to the hill. The sun even broke through the cloud and shine on some parts of the landscapes. We could see the hill range open up in front of us. Kirkstone Pass that I passed through yesterday was within sight. Not to mention the town across the other side of the Motorway M6 - Penrith - which is almost 40 miles away! God is kind to us.
There was these two couples that came up and we chatted. John turned out to be a very friendly person and so is his wife. He explained to me why there were so many benches lined up the way to Orrest Head. Apparently that was how people remember someone they love that have diseased - they made a chair and donate it to a place they like as a form of remembrance. This is such a noble idea. And we continue to see all these long chairs in many parts of the country.
We chatted while walked down the hill and finally we parted when I reach Magic Wok to pack my dinner as usual - which by now the boss already recognise me and bid me Halo in cantonese. John said we will meet again and I am sure we will. I have continue to meet many many friendly and helpful english and scottish that I owe them much more favours than I could pay back. I guess it is the bringing up and culture of this country - in which I truly love.
There are so many literary figures associated with the Lakes that truly made the Lakes outstanding. I have seen this poem at the top of the hill. It is a meanigful one.
Thou Who Has Given Me Eyes to See
And Love This Sight So Fair
Give Me A Heart To Find Out Thee
And Read Thee Everywhere
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