Full day in the Lake District

 This morning, we wandered down to the edge of Lake Windermere in the hope of a walk along the lakeside. We quickly discovered that all of the lakefront on our side of the lake is privately owned so we had to abandon that idea. It seems that the only real way to see the lake is to get out on it in a boat.

Instead, we drove up to Windermere village and did the Orrest Head Walk. The walk was beautiful and a little bit of a challenge (even though we took the longer, less steep path). Half way up, we found a wooden sculpture of the Gruffalo. Clare was so thrilled to see it. She had to have a photo with the Gruffalo. We continued to the top where the view was breathtaking. Just amazing.

After gluten free fish and chips from Vinegar Jones, we took the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Steam Railway from Haverthwaite to Lakeside and back. It was a bit of an average afternoon.

I may have created some unrealistic expectations in my mind about Windermere and the Lake District. My thoughts of lonely poets looking across the lakes didn't really match the reality of massive Bank Holiday crowds, screaming children and bumper to bumper traffic. It brings back memories of Merimbula at Christmas or Philip Island at Easter. It isn't Windermere's fault but I have felt a little let down by our experience of the Lake District. It is beautiful, really beautiful but it is overrun with tourists at this time of year and that really dents the enjoyment factor.

Tomorrow, we are going on a lake cruise and I am hoping to head over to Grasmere to see Wordworth's Dove Cottage. Maybe I will discover the Lake District I was hoping to see there.