The Master's House. Kendal

I had my lunch sitting in the small courtyard behind the Master's House Tearoom. It was the first genuinely warm day we've had this year and the phenomenon always takes North country folk unawares. People are never sure what to wear, so today's clothing ranged from shorts and bare midriffs, to Spring weight dresses and cardigans to down jackets and woolly hats - with rather surprised looking individuals peering heatedly out between their thermal layers.
The building was more interesting than the lunch (Ham Salad) .
A green plaque gave a potted history. 'In the yard Thomas Sandes (1606- 81) cloth merchant and former Mayor of Kendal founded a school and eight alms-houses for poor widows. This gatehouse, once the Master's dwelling, housed the school-room and library. 
Above the yard entrance is the Sandes coat of Arms, showing teasel carders and sheep shears, the symbols of Thomas and his wife Katherine's successful business in woollen cloth.