Wednesday, September 30th
This was the day that Becky joined us for the day. I had hoped to persuade her, Paul and Hannah to join us for several days of the holiday, but they are trying to get back to normal and Hannah had a school exam.
We lighted the stove in the dining room and set out a cheeseboard and an assortment of bread, biscuits and cake for a leisurely and early lunch. Joe had planned a fearsome itinerary for the day and positively forbade me to suggest to Becky that it might be a bit much.
Our first stop was Brantwood to pick up the Gondola there; we were rather early which gave us time to look at the art gallery shop above the Jumping Jenny restaurant, and it was there that I found Helen's Christmas present (on which I shall not elaborate as she might - but probably won't - read this blog.)
Having bought that, we went down to the jetty, passing this work of art in the garden there. I rather like it, but Joe and Becky both demanded an explanation of this lectern with a horse's head; never one to shun the opportunity to be an all round know-it-all and clever-clogs, I came up with the suggestion that it was about reading the lessons of nature in all its fecundity.
Talking of fecundity: clearly, looking at this photo, there are some lessons to be learned, and I am wondering when Joe's baby is due and whether I can be his manager! (Miaow!)
Over the years I have taken so many photographs of Conniston Water and its surroundings that I think I should not blog this year's dozen or so especially as it was cloudy and they are all a bit lack lustre.
On the other hand: here, I think, is where twenty years ago I went swimming with Ben who was gorgeous, handsome, black . . .
. . . and a labrador.
Joe's plan was to go on to Hill Top and Townend, and with a certain amout of difficulty he was persuaded that this simply was not possible and that we had better go straight to Townend which stays open half-an-hour later and does not have timed tickets. As it is, we arrived there only minutes before last admissions. I have written about Townend before as it is one of my favourite places, but each visit is new and this had the advantage of being Becky's first. Even so we had to hurry quite a bit to see the last few rooms (the servants' bedrooms, which are rather nice.)
This barn, across the road from the house, isn't a part of the tour but it has always fascinated me and one day I am going to remember to ask about it before the staff and volunteers in the house aren't very politely waiting for us to leave so that they can go home and get their teas, as it has always managed to be the last visit of the day.
Joe also wanted us to have a meal at the Queen's Head where we ate a couple of years ago, but Becky had promised to be home for Hannah so there really wasn't time to savour the rather expensive food there as it deserves. Thus we went back to the cottage for a cup of tea and anything we fancied that we hadn't eaten at lunchtime. Joe was less awkward about this than I had expected, but it turned out that he had picked up some sort of tummy bug and after Becky had gone was a right misery-guts in more ways than one.
superb area photo good photos too!