Saturday 18 June 2011

ABC Tour – Catching the Steamer and Climbing a Hill

WEDNESDAY 15 JUNE

We had a really relaxing, touristy day today.

After a yummy breakfast we caught an Ullswater Steamer.  These are beautiful old boats that ply the waters of this gorgeous lake.  Firstly, we caught the “Lady Wakefield” from Pooley Bridge to Howtown, halfway down the lake. 

JH Wed 15 Jun Pooley Bridge 024

Here we had to change boats to “Raven”.  She has been working on Ullswater since 1889. 

JH Wed 15 Jun Pooley Bridge 026

The weather wasn’t the best this morning, being showery, but it was rather atmospheric over the lake and looking up into the hills.

JH Wed 15 Jun Pooley Bridge 044

JH Wed 15 Jun Pooley Bridge 050

“Raven” took us to Glenridding at the south of Ullswater, which is about twelve miles long, where we went for a stroll up the valley behind the village.

JH Wed 15 Jun Pooley Bridge 083

It was so pretty.

JH Wed 15 Jun Pooley Bridge 089

We only walked a very short way compared to most people on the boat, but we really enjoyed it.

JH Wed 15 Jun Pooley Bridge 090

After lunch we boarded “Lady of the Lake” for the return trip.  She was launched in 1877 and is believed to be the oldest working passenger vessel in the world.  She is also a very elegant old lady.

JH Wed 15 Jun Pooley Bridge 119

The weather cleared up this afternoon and we even had a few brief intervals of sunshine.

JH Wed 15 Jun Pooley Bridge 147

I saw my first heather on the side of a hill.

JH Wed 15 Jun Pooley Bridge 151

Once we returned to Pooley Bridge we went for a short walk around Dunmallara Hill, which was a Roman signal hill.

JH Wed 15 Jun Pooley Bridge 219

It was really pretty, once again.

JH Wed 15 Jun Pooley Bridge 186

Mick found a walking stick, so looked the part.

JH Wed 15 Jun Pooley Bridge 202

The farmers were working hard cutting hay.

JH Wed 15 Jun Pooley Bridge 195

After an event like that, we felt no guilt whatsoever when we sat down to a decadent afternoon tea beside the river.

JH Wed 15 Jun Pooley Bridge 223

The only problem was that we then went over the road from our B & B  for dinner.

JH Thurs 16 Jun Pooley Bridge to Oban 003

We ate there both nights and the food was delicious. Huge meals, but with lots of  veges. I did feel a little bit of guilt after that.

JH Thurs 16 Jun Pooley Bridge to Oban 021

A great way to finish off the day.

No comments: