Cumbria - The English Lake District

This post is dedicated to lovely Olympia who likes mountains, and who very kindly gave me the Liebster Award.

When staying in the Lake District we prefer the far Western Lakes; they are quieter, more remote, a feeling expressed by the words of Lakeland poet, William Wordsworth 'I wandered lonely as a cloud, that floats on high o'er vales and hills'.

We enjoy staying in this beautifully converted barn with a magical pathway leading to Black Combe Fell. 

The visit was brief with only a two night stay. Our thoughts immediately turned to Wasdale, reached down a long, narrow, twisting road, passing through ancient woodlands until Wasdale Head looms into sight revealing it's breathtaking scenic beauty.

The head of Wasdale sits at the foot of Scafell Pike which soars off to the right of the picture, and at 978 metres - 3,209 ft it is England's highest mountain.

The distinctive Lakeland Hardwick sheep and her black lamb. She is looking rather comical without her shaggy iron grey coat. These sheep are an integral part of the mountains in the Lakelands. They are the hardiest of British sheep, well adapted and robust enough to survive the inclement winter weather and terrain.

Mr. Ram was huge.  I have never before seen a sheep so big that it walked all around the field on it's knees!!! 

At the head of the dale is a small community with a shop, an inn, a few farmsteads, and a tiny church.

The church of St. Olaf. The roof timbers are said to have been taken from a Viking ship. Several of the graves belong to people who have sadly lost their lives climbing in the surrounding mountains.

A very small memorial light in the leaded window showing Napes Needle on Great Gable a magnet for fell walkers and rock climbers.

I regret that I cannot hand the Liebster Award on; I am far, far too fond of you all, it would be impossible for me to pick just 11 blogs. Please forgive me - 11 Questions?

1.   Which is the most boring book you've read?

      I have read two chapters of The Hare with Amber         

      Eyes by the exquisite ceramicist Edmund de 

      Waal, but I am having difficulty getting into it. 

      However, H informs me that it is a wonderful book

      so I intend to persevere.

      You can explore Edmund de Waal's site here

2.   Which movie made you cry your eyes out?

      Sometimes my eyes may become moist but I

      never cry my eyes out when watching a film.   

3.   Do you like "Friends" and if so, which character do 

      you identify with?

      I have never, ever, seen a single episode of 

      Friends.

4.   What do you find more relaxing, going camping or

      staying at a 5 star hotel?

      Neither - small friendly, family run hotels for me, 

      like the one above.     

5.   What is the ideal way to spend a work free day?

      Relaxing with the family.

6.   Coffee or tea?

      Both, coffee when chatting with friends, tea when 

      we have been out all day, and are then dying  

      for a cup of tea.

7.   What is the best present you have ever received?

      Could not possibly name my best present. The

      grandchildren have all made and given me so

      many wonderful things over the years. However, 

      perhaps my most exciting present is currently in 

      the pipeline, but keeps being cancelled due to 

      circumstances beyond our control!!! For this

      present everything has to be correct and in order.

      You will all know what it is eventually. 

8.   Have you ever been given a really bad haircut and 

      how did you react?

      No, I have been going to my hairdresser for years

      and she knows how I like it. 

9.   What colour is your car?

      Metallic Black.

10. When is your birthday?

      Virgo is my sign.

11. Do you use a camera or your cell-phone to take 

      pictures.

      Camera only - my mobile phone is very basic

      and has no camera.

first image courtesy wikipedia