Rydal Water, Lake District

This morning we walked from Ambleside to Grasmere.  We saw several people in wet suits partaking of a morning 'wild' swim. I have a hankering to try it one of these days - I'm sure Whyn would join me! 

After a mooch around Grasmere, we walked over the Coffin Route from Grasmere to Rydal. The route was used to transport bodies across the countryside from parishes that didn’t have burial grounds to churches that did. The bodies were carried from Ambleside and Rydal to St Oswald’s Church in Grasmere. 

I took this photo from a coffin stone - where the coffin bearers laid the coffin down to have a rest.  The coffin stone is like a stone seat with a wide back where the coffin could be placed up behind those needing a rest.  Maybe the stones were deliberately placed here so you could look out on the lovely views and forget how heavy the coffin was! 

Onward to Rydal Mount - you can't come here without having a coffee and a cake. One of the best coffee shops for homemade cakes. 

Lovely first day with views and sunshine... and cake!!