One Fine Day

... in a pretty wet week up north :(

Ullswater  often misses out to Keswick, Windemere et al when touring the Lake District but it is well worth the extra few miles north - it is, after all, the second largest lake in the park. This time last year it was in full autumnal colour. It is on the change but still mainly green. 








At the south end of the lake is Pooley Bridge. A picturesque little village centre with a wonderful cafe - Granny Dowbekin's Tearooms - that does delicious home cooked meals.


Follow the path from the village car park to the walk down to, and around, the lake. The old ferry boats can be seen plying their tourist trade from the pier opposite - or better still take a trip round the lake.

Leaving Pooley Bridge lakeside via the small bridge and heading toward Patterdale you pass the entrance to the amazing Aira Force. For the energetic the walk/climb up the Force is amazing - with a nice log tea room at the base for refreshment on your return. For the less energetic turn right just after the entrance to Aira. At the brow, after a steep incline, is a parking place adjacent to a path with a walkway down to middle force from where you can take the easy walk to high force.

  

Chelt Lit Fest 13

Yes it's that time of year again but this time we have gone, arguably, for the quality rather than the quantity. Easing in gently with Ian Rankin - of Rebus fame - and Linwood Barclay. I came across Linwood, an American born now Canadian writer after I had exhausted my usual authors stocks. On Kindle I turned to Harlan Coben who, in turn, recommended LB. A prolific writer with a colourful background.

Today started with a heavy debate about the effect of equality on social mobility, chaired by  Andrew Neil the panel consisted Polly Toynbee, Alan Johnson and David Davies. Polly got the best ovation for a spirited defense of Early Years and Sure Start, David Davies got a tick for opposing university tuition fees (more robustly than any LibDem I feel) but to be honest it felt more like tinkering round the edges than confronting the 'inherent contradiction in capitalism'!

Onto something much lighter :) Jack Whitehall + Dad made a great pair, each a great raconteur with completely different styles. A set amiably held together by Nick Hewer.

... finishing tomorrow with the inimitable Derek Jacobi

Not Quite Autumn Gold

Returning to Highnam Court for their annual 'autumn gold' it felt more like a summers day with much of the flora still a lush green - with only a few signs of seasonal change.

The damp grass abounded with fungi which Marion tells me is a good sign of an organic, pesticide free environment.

The estate gardens, lakes and tree carvings make it a must visit but whilst there don't miss the local Holy Innocents church with its amazing internal decor. 

' The Holy Innocents Church, Highnam, is a Grade I Listed Building, one of the most significant Victorian churches in the country. It is situated with the other community buildings on the outskirts of the village. The church was commissioned by Thomas Gambier Parry the owner of the nearby Highnam Court, and was consecrated in 1851. The architecture is gothic revival style, and the church is decorated throughout with frescos painted by Thomas Gambier Parry. Hubert Parry, his son, inherited the estate and is best remembered for his musical setting for Blake’s poem ‘Jerusalem’ and much other memorable church music'.