Window shopping in Ambleside, Cumbria

On the way North from Exeter to Scotland GB and I spent a night at Ambleside. This was in the doorway of the Queens Hotel but as you can tell from GB's blog the meal got the thumbs down from us.

As usual, and despite the rain, we had a wander around with our cameras and did some window shopping.

And at that price, lovely though this work is, it shall remain ‘window shopping’ only.

Now that is what I call a crystal. We have a large amethyst geode at home but it’s not even half that size.

This one defies comment. Unless my readers can think of one.

GB and I have always liked this relief version of Bartholomew’s map of the Lake District. All the names are so familiar from my youth that it feels like a map of home.

Ambling from Ambleside

On Friday GB and I ambled around Ambleside (in the Lake District of North West England) for part of the morning. I was delighted to get a pair of boots of a type which I have been seeking for a couple of years - and at an incredibly cheap price.


We then went over Dunmail Raise and around the 'back' of Thirlmere up to Keswick for coffee. It rained en route but stopped by the time we got to Keswick.



In Keswick we looked in our favourite art gallery where the paintings of Edward Hersey very much attracted me.


Our next break was at Dunblane where we had some lettuce, pea and herb soup at the Beech Tree Cafe. It was as tasty as it sounded (though I would have preferred it slightly hotter). Of course, it doesn't help if you take time off to do crossword clues and take photos! We had a walk around the cathedral - all of which will be blogged at some stage in the future.



In the meantime here are a couple of pictures of figures on the rood (or should it be rude?) screen.


I added to my collection of inn signs with the Tappit Hen - but what was a Tappit Hen??? It seems that the expression is Scots and means both a crested hen and a large mug with a knobbed lid.



Our next stage included the very attractive road from Crieff to Dunkeld. We ended up staying at the Royal Dunkeld in Perthshire - the gateway to the Highlands. A most enjoyable day's rambling. And now, bed calls!

 

A long way

A long way - but a mini-ramble.


We may not have Internet access on Friday night so just thought I'd post this while I had the chance . After a lovely journey - which will be blogged at a later date - we ended up at the Queens Hotel in Ambleside for Thursday night.


A pleasant room; very friendly svie; an excellent meal of Lakeland lamb with perfectly cooked vegetables; a view of the village from the window; and - to GB's great glee - Internet access.


This is the market hall from the bedroom window - and yes, that is one big black cloud. We had a day without rain but it sure looked threatening at times.


And so to bed, again...