Keswick
02 to 07 August 2024
Lodore Falls
On the way to Keswick, Anthony and Julie visited Hadrians Wall for a hike.
The path had some VERY steep stairs, up and down, which were challenging to say the least. It took us about an hour to do just 1 mile, so we bailed about 1.5 miles in. Unfortunately, the nearby cafe had closed, no hot chocolate.
Sheep are everywhere (Anthony is doing some Wallace and Gromit things with his hands)
Once we got to our Air B&B flat Keswick, we walked around then ate dinner at Dog Bar. It was a Friday night, and the bar was PACKED so we sat with a nice couple from (Free) Ireland. Dogs are everywhere in Keswick.
Dog water fountain.
Anthony Keswick Parkrun
The Parkrun in Keswick was a short walk from the apartment, so Anthony jogged down for the run. Apparently, the Keswick Parkrun is popular with vacationers there were a ton of folks at the start line.
It was a pretty out and back with some rolling hills.
After the run, Julie and Anthony explored Keswick. Keswick is a cute little tourist town, with an impressive collection of bars, restaurants and especially outdoor stores. We met a clarinetist warming up outside a pub. Anthony told him about the Little German Band and Dancers, and he played a bit of Hofbrau house and Village Tavern Polka. Anthony admired his tone, and ability to play by memory.
After lunch, Anthony talked Julie into walking to the Castlerigg Stone circle. On the map it was a short walk (according to our friends from dinner Friday night) outside of town and part of the walk was along the greenway that Anthony had run that morning.
Not indicated on the map, the circle was up a huge hill. We got there and the circle was covered with more people than we’d seen in one place in over a month. Julie was grumpy. Anthony was grumpy. The circle was cool and the surrounding mountains were beautiful.
The Deadpool and Wolverine Movie was showing at a cute little theater a couple of blocks from the apartment so Anthony and Julie had to go see it Saturday evening. We enjoyed the silly, stupid fun and theater popcorn.
Sunday, Julie and Anthony went shopping for a replacement for the Colts long sleeve shirt Julie lost a few days earlier. Julie found a long sleeve dry wick that you will see in lots of up coming photos.
Brougham Castle
That afternoon Julie and Anthony drove to Brougham Castle. On the way we stopped for Lunch in Penrith.
Mural/Map in Penrith
Monday was a rainy nasty day, so Julie and Anthony stayed in and worked on the block (Whitby, I think).
Tuesday’s weather was glorious, so we bought tickets for the hop on hop off ferry on Derwent Water Lake. We started counterclockwise around the lake.
We hopped off the boat about two thirds the way down the lake to hike to a waterfall.
Julie was not quite as happy as she looks. However, she did NOT fall into the water.
Monday’s rain had overwhelmed the lake and one section of our trail was covered with water. Julie and Anthony took off our boots and braved the sharp gravel on our delicate, bare feet.
Julie and Anthony stopped for a pint at the swanky Lodore Hotel before walking to Lodore Falls.
Pint Glass with Lake District Map
Lodore Falls
We caught the (last) clockwise ferry, and rode around the entire lake (including the bits we had hiked).
We made it back to the dock in Keswick right as the rain came in.
Our guide for the Keswick ghost tour was by far the quirkiest one yet. She was the ghost of a woman who killed her husband(s) and stayed in character the whole time. She hummed period tunes to herself the whole time.
It started to pour during the ghost walk, our guide didn’t miss a beat. Maybe she was a ghost.
Wednesday was a long drive to London. On the way we saw a truck pulling a large banana.
Maps: 1) Glasgow to Keswick via Hadrian’s wall. 2) Parkrun and Castelrigg Stone Circle. 3) Brougham Castle 4) Chillin’ in Keswick 5) Ferry and Hike 6) Keswick to London
