Tuesday, 1 September
The weather was briefly fine this morning, so we sped off around Coniston Water to try for a walk in Grizedale Forest. Alas the clouds had already closed the sky, so we carried on toward Lake Windermere.
Dropped into Stott Park Bobbin Mill, which didn't sound like much, but was actually fascinating. Effectively a series of belt-driven lathes and wood shaping machinery, the mill used to make 'bobbins', ie. the spools for thread, right up until the 1970s - without modernisation. The phrase "knocking off" is derived from the belt's off switch, ie. physically knocking the belt off one drive shaft into a neutral space.
Further on at Lakeside, we went to the Aquarium of the Lakes, a kind of Like District version of Kelly Tarlton's. I had a good laugh watching the ducks - they look so funy underwater! Plus we also saw otters and marmosets.
Went for a walk, got rained on, and got lost in Fell Fort County Park, then drove to a beautiful architectural estate called Blackwell, designed in a magnificent and harmonious arts and crafts (similar to art nouveau) style.
Avoiding Windermere, we took a long route through the countryside, via Crook, Underbarrow and Brigsteer, to Sizergh Castle. Another privately owned family estate with heavy dark wooden panelling throughout. There was a rather splendid room for the monarch's regional representative with carved panels and sculptured ceiling, plus grand ponds and pleasant gardens.
Returned home in some devout rain, and had a easy night in the cottage.
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