The Lake District... or a little slice of heaven

Up to this point I have never loved the Romantic Poets.  I like so specific works of theirs.  Lord Byron is pretty good, I like most of Shelley's work... Lines Composed Above Tintern Abby is good too.  But nope, never had a great passion for them.  I tend to like darker meatier stuff, I don't really care the Wordsworth wandered lonely as a cloud for instance.  That was of course until I ventured to their Mecca, The Lake District.. now I think I could write books and books of poetry... airy, pretty, dainty stuff focused on nature and the evils of cities.

The Lake District of England is absolutely beautiful... It is other worldly.  And I had a fantastic time!  We arrived late Thursday night.  It is about a four hour coach ride from my school if you factor in driving breaks etc.  

After a sound sleep we were up bright and early.  Our hostel was great, literally ten steps out the front door was Lake Windermere.  Our hostel was at the Ambleside pier about a mile outside of Ambleside... the pier is on the lake and the town built further away.  So Friday morning we walked into Ambleside and then hiked up to a cave... at least a couple of miles.  But it was beautiful and lots of picture taking opportunities.  I crossed a river on stepping stones, and didn't fall in, how graceful of me!    We met lots of sheep, they say hello... i refrained from stealing any of the numerous dogs I met out walking with their owners.  We got to the cave/old quarry and found cool rock formations.

Then we hiked back down to the town.. in time for lunch and visited a small bakery for dessert.  Then we walked back to the hostel and took a ferry cruise from Ambleside to Bowness, down Lake Windermere.  Bowness, known for Beatrix Potter... I relived some childhood moments, it was fantastic!  Then back on the ferry and Ambleside for dinner and an early night because we were all so exhausted.  The next day I kayaked Lake Windermere for about 2 and a half hours. It even stopped raining and the sun came out!  So beautiful, Antique Joan if you are reading this yes kayaking up rivers is a bit more difficult but I managed!  I had one close capsize moment when my kayak got stuck in a tree (don't ask) but I managed to right myself with only my sleeve drenched.  When we returned to the pier Teresa's very wise friend Sandahl said.. "Teresa we are mostly wet anyways why don't we jump in the Lake (in october in england) before we take showers.  And Teresa possibly delirious with tiredness from kayaking fro several hours agreed.  We jumped in.. it was quite possibly one of the coldest experiences of my life.  Then we promptly ran back in and took hot hot HOT showers.  I like to think of it as a roman bath experience.. going from frigid to hot... anyways I don't regret it, it was fun and makes for a good story.. although certain people may or may not think I'm crazy! 

Then Sunday we left early and stopped in Keswick, home of very good ice cream and candy of the fudge variety.  The dean of students thinks I'm crazy as I was seen eating an ice cream cone with my fur lined hood up to keep out the cold... Oh well maybe I am crazy.. but the ice cream was SOOOO worth it!!!!!!

Then some more hours on the bus, we watched Little Miss Sunshine, fantastic movie... wow everything is just wonderful and fantastic isn't it.. Don't worry, you need not be too jealous, After this semester my life will go back to boring and tedious.  (SOB, WEEP, CRY) Must not think about leaving!

Cheers

-Teresa