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Saying our sad, protracted goodbyes to most of the Scottish lot, we drove away with Nicky at the wheel again on the beginning of our journey south. The weather was as dreary as us at leaving, drizzly rain and the usual cold wind - what else? Anne had offered us her GPS unit for driving directions, but Nicky and Karen were sure with the trusted A-Z Road Atlas and a big tourist attraction as the destination, they would have no problems finding their way…. Famous last words!
Understandably, the Aussie passengers assumed that Nicky would be able to navigate through her "local" metropolitan area without need of a map - wrong! We were still confident when we passed the city on our right hand side and travelled down a ring-route road, past a lovely statue of a horse. Much less so nearly an hour later, having been forced off the motorway by road works, taking a large circle through suburbia, with stops to check the map, and we travelled past the same statue - it on the other side of the road this time! Mmmm, history repeating.
Our long, 3 hour journey continued, and we crossed the border from Scotland into England. The dreary weather continued, rain and mist and the odd snowflake. At last we reached the road signs indicating the Lake District - found it!
We took our time crossing Kirkstone Pass, Englands highest road, with its light dusting of pure white snow, and the low clouds making the views to our destination mysterious indeed, but stunningly beautiful regardless. Nicky was most happy to slow down, pause or pull over to the roadside, so we could take yet another photograph of the "Amazing Whatever" as we dubbed it.
Then down the other side and a lovely drive along the shores of Ullswater - pure joy and excitement as Karen got a perfect real-life childhood memory moment! Sailing gaily on the chill waters past a small island, was a little clinker wooden boat, complete with brown sails and even a pirate flag - the Amazons! Happy, happy Karen - and she declared "Swallows and Amazons Forever!" Yay.
The loveliness of this countryside was well described, every turn of the road had more spectacular views. Stone walls everywhere, little white farm houses, new-born lambs playing on the lovely green pastures, rushing streams or large expanses of still water and tall rocky peaks. When we reached Coniston Water in the late afternoon the rain and snow had temporarily departed. Even the wind had dropped to a slight breeze. We managed to raise the water level an inch or two, skimming stones on the calm water. Nicky was instantly the best, but after a bit of practice, we all challenged her mastery of this skill. Nick achieved a 5 skip high, Matt managed an impressive 4 skips, with great photographs to prove it. Karen retired early on a most impressive (totally fluked) 7!
Then to the Backpackers in Ambleside, were a sad, sobbing farewell and many, many hugs were exchanged, before Nicky turned the car for the long journey home again. We missed her the minute she drove away.
Hoping to cheer ourselves up, and with a new town to explore, we set off down the street in search of the odd adventure. The late sunshine was turning all around us golden. More memories when we discovered a cottage called 'Swallowdale'. Then we spotted a tiny house on a bridge - and I mean tiny - one room up, one down. It was built in the 1720's as an apple store, but has had many different uses since, including a cobblers shop and tearoom. Not sure how they fitted both the kettle, teacups and cakes in such a tiny space.
Managing to find our way home again, chilled to the bone by the typical weather conditions, we were happy to dry our shoes on the windowsill near the central heating, and pull the curtains on the lovely view of houses marching down the slope to Windemere, the distant hillsides covered with a light dusting of white. More adventures tomorrow, we are sure.
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