August 3, afternoon: Buttermere and Crummock Water.
Cumbria and the Lake District is in Northwest England. Much of the Lake District is a National Park and is a very popular summer destination because it is cool and offers so many activities for lovers of the outdoors. Walking the fells in the footsteps of Wordsworth is the most popular pastime. Sunday afternoon, once Rachel awoke and we had breakfast and showered, she took me to Buttermere to walk around Crummock Water. Even though this region is referred to as the "Lake" district, only three of the bodies of water here are actually called lakes. The rest are either called "waters" or "meres", both of which are other names for a lake. So, both Buttermere and Crummock Water are essentially lakes. Got it?
The following pictures are from our hour and a half walk. We saw several fellow walkers, even during a light rain, which I imagine the English are so accustom to it doesn't seem to deter anyone.
The beginning of our walk.
One of several fells along our walk.
Gray sky to be expected.
More green fields, sigh.
Up this peak was a waterfall called Scale Force.
We didn't have time to go up since we had dinner reservations at
7pm (read below), but you can see a small piece of the fall
as it comes down to the lake.
My favorite photo from this walk. Sheep graze all
along the path completely uninterested in the walkers.
More sheep, baaaaah.
Hey, I'm from the city and I'm a knitter!
One last sheep picture, I promise. This is a Herdwick sheep,
supposedly brought to England by the Vikings (or so says
Rachel's
dad).
These sheep are incredibly hardy, able to forage the
fells most
of the year requiring no additional feed. During winter, those
not slaughtered for meat are trucked to the West Coast for grass.
August 3, evening: Local Brew.
After our walk, Rachel and I met her friends Sara and Andrew for dinner at Kirkstile Inn in Loweswater, just down the road from Buttermere. Rachel has known Sara since they were babies - Rachel's mom is Sara's godmother and visa versa. I was excited to have my first pub meal in England and my first local pint. Richie (Rachel's dad) suggest I try Kirkstile's own brew and I heartily took his advice. I got the "Kirkstile Ale" (the palest of the bunch because I'm not actually a beer-drinker). It was served room temperature, which I expected but wasn't sure I would like. Very good, indeed! The meal was top-notch as well, all local meats and veggies when possible. With my thick and delicious vegetable soup I got a hunk of homemade bread that was perfectly chewy and oh so slightly sweet. My pork tenderloin came with a Stilton (cheese) sauce that was to die for, and a plate of new potatoes that could have served a family of four. I didn't have room for dessert (referred to as "pudding" here, even if you aren't actually eating pudding for dessert), but I did try Sara's apple crisp that came with warm custard. On an emptier stomach I could eat a bowl of that custard!
A side of the Kirkstile Inn with fells in the background.