I WANDERED LONELY AS A CLOUD

A lovely day out wit Hubby today.  We went to Grasmere as I haven't been for a couple of years.

On arrival we tried to park in Red Bank Car Park but it wouldn't take cash only card.  I hate paying parking by card as it takes so long and to be honest I always get in a bit of a flummox with it anyway, so we drove back through the village and parked in Stock Lane car park.  No problem.there.  A coach load of older tourists had just offloaded, a bit odd to see at this time of year but at least it was only one coach party.

We then wandered through the village.  I was going to go to Baldry's for coffee, but it was shut until this coming weekend.  We also noticed that Emma's Deli etc was also not open yet so popped into Freda & Ray's for a coffee and an excellent slice of very moist and delicioius ginger cake.  

We then wandered up Broadgate to the bridge and the Rothay Garden Hotel, where I took a couple of photos.  We notiiced a parthway going up through some woods that we never been through before and it went up past the River Rothay.  In a couple of months time there will be no view through there as the trees will be in full leaf but today they were still skeletal so we had very pleasant views.  Not far at all, it just brought us up Easedale Road.  We could have gone on up to Easedale Tarn from here as it is only about 2 miles, but that is 2 miles up hill and I'm still somewhat breathless from the two coldsd I've just got over so decided not to try, also we weren't really properly prepared with maps etc and knowing us we'd end up going wrong!!!!

We then had a walk through the Daffodil Garden and then into the church gardens where we paid our respects to William Wordsworth's grave.  Then we went on into St Oswald's church.  Always an interesting little church.  They were obviously preparing for a small funeral service not yet arrived) but we thought it polite not to stay too  long.

After that we went to Mathilde's cafe for lunch.  Mathilde's is attached to the Heaton Cooper art gallery.  Very pleasant cafe, we went into the room off the main one as in there you don't hear the music.  We tried the Scandinavian meatballs - delicious.

On heading for home we stopped off at Waterhead in Ambleside for me to take some photos of things I could find "Red", the theme for LetsDo52 this week.  The Wateredge Inn and The Regent Hotel and all closed off due to some sort of refurbishment/decorating going on.  The cost of parking is horrendous, so we decided to make the most of it as you have to pay for at least 2 hours parking (rip off) so we walked on to Borrans Park, had a nice saunter in there and then onto the remains of the Roman Fort, walked through it and onto the River Rothay again.

We saw a load of people on canoes having a great time, so we stood and watched them for a while, then headed back to the car and home.

A lovely day out.  I needed that fresh air and getting out and about.  Also Hubby was with me, so that is a bit of a rarity. 

Please excuse the main photo it was taken from the car as we drove past, but considering we were moving it's not come out too bad.

That's all from  me for today.  Do take care and stay safe and I will see you all tomorrow.