The Lakes

	Jennifer and Cathy set off towards Biskey Howe, a hill overlooking Windermere. full size
Cathy and Ron walk up to Biskey Howe. full size
	We've arrived at Biskey Howe. There's a large rock outcropping looking out over the lake. full size
Another view of Windermere. full size
	Jennifer and David enjoy the view of Windermere. full size
Jennifer inspects the other side of the lake through binoculars. full size
	Cathy had read for years about people walking in the countryside going over "stiles". She had always wondered what they were. Now she knows -- and she likes it! full size
Across the stile was a sheep pasture, leading up to a series of rocky outcroppings. The sheep were very friendly. full size
	The view from the top of Brant Fell was incredible. full size
On Wednesday, we visited the small town of Hawkshead, on the western side of Windermere. The skies were a bit more gray, but the landscapes were so incredible not even the low clouds could spoil them. full size
	Near Hawkshead is Hill Top farm, which was Beatrix Potter's home in her later years. Most of her work was done earlier, when she lived in London, but she did a bit of writing and drawing here. full size
Jennifer loved Hill Top, as you can see from her delighted smile. full size
	The gardens at Hill Top have been preserved just as Beatrix Potter left them. This is the vegetable garden, which had, uh, some rhubarb we think. full size
A lovely hillside across the street from Hill Top. Beatrix Potter bought up most of the land around her farm, all of which she ultimately donated to the National Trust. full size
	One of the big differences between the Peak district and the Lake district is these ferns. Grazing and deforestation have eliminated most of the trees in both areas, but many of the hillsides in Cumbria are covered in lush ferns, which the sheep don't seem to like. The dramatic, misty landscape and the unusual ferns gave the area a primeval feel... full size
Because we didn't have much time or a vehicle, we took a bus tour around the lakes. Apart from us, the tour company's clientele appeared to be entirely Japanese. full size
	Our guide and his van. full size
Besides Beatrix Potter, the literary figure most associated with the Lake District is William Wordsworth. He spent some of his most productive years in Grasmere, where he is buried. full size
	Wordsworth is buried in beautiful surroundings. There was a German couple videotaping nearby -- "I vandered lone-ly as a kloud". full size
While he was in Grasmere, Wordsworth lived in what is now known as Dove Cottage with his wife, sister, sister-in-law, various children and frequent guests. full size
	Jennifer and her mother gaze out over the reservoir for greater Manchester from the dam that created it. full size
Another view of the dam. full size
	This breed of sheep was bred here in Cumbria. They are black for the first two years, and then turn gray. Beatrix Potter kept flocks of Herdwicks. full size
This pre-Celtic stone circle is said to have been a meeting place. It is set on a wide plateau with good views of the surrounding hills. full size
	You weren't supposed to climb on the stones, but Dave didn't read that bit. full size
Dave and Jen really like each other. And stone circles. full size
	We had a lovely time at our B&B, at http://www.denehurst-guesthouse.co.uk the Denehurst Guest House a. The proprietor was very friendly and helpful, and the rooms were comfortable and immaculate. full size
Walking through the town of Windermere on the way to the train station. full size