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European Adventure 2017
After dinner last night we wandered down to the lakefront again as it was so hot. it was nice and quiet and the ferry which runs across. Lake Windermere was getting ready to sail with a sole vehicle on it. The ferry runs from one side to the other and takes about 8 minutes. We were surprised to see as it set sail that it used two submerged wire ropes to propel itself through the water. The rope either side wraps around a pulley that is driven by the barge's engine. As the barge crosses the 400metre stretch of water the rope is lifted by the pulleys and then immediately sinks behind the barge allowing other craft to cross the stretch of water unimpeded. We got talking to the 2 crew about the operation and we were invited on board for a return trip up in the wheel house. This morning we decided to take the van over on the ferry and then drive down the other side of the lake where we were told the scenery was better and there were less people. We lined up for the now busy ferry. £4.40 for us to get over and we were into some beautiful Lakes District scenery. Beatrix Potter's house where she lived and dreamt up her characters of rabbits, mice, hedgehogs, ducks and many more, was at the top of the hill and you can just imagine how easily these characters could come to life in this part of the country. At the top of the hill is Hawkshead, a charming little village and full of Beatrix Potter souvenirs. We stopped at one of the many cafés dotted about and had morning tea. Geoff ordered a scone with his coffee but I noticed a Victoria sponge which reminded me of the ones mum used to make as I was growing up so ordered a slice. Geoff took a photo but commented that he needed to put the camera on fast shutter speed before the cake disappeared! The taste was just as I remembered. We finished the day meeting up with Charlie and Mandy at a very small campsite at a place called Broughton-in-Furness. And yes at 9pm we saw our first rain for some time as the temperature plummeted to 12 degrees. With such good insulation we are still toasty inside at 23. Well done to the crusaders and thanks to Sarah for keeping us up with the score.
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Dave Ah, it's been a while since I had a nice sponge like that. Mmmmm.