Messing about on boats

Had a lovely day in Keswick, it’s such a pretty town and so well set up for tourists.

After a hearty delicious breakfast in the Royal Oak hotel where we are staying (also frequented by Wordsworth, Tennyson, Walter Scott, RL Stevenson etc.) we visited the amazing Pencil Museum. Did you know that graphite pencils were invented in Keswick in the 16th century. 

Also, the inspiration for Q in James Bond was a Charles Frazer Smith, who was a civil servant in MI9, tasked the Cumberland Pencil in Keswick with a puzzle to solve, which they did admirably.

He had an idea to create a secret map and compass pencil. These pencils were given to Lancaster Bomber airman in the Second World War, and were made secretly under the official secrets act, in Keswick between 1939 – 1945.

In the afternoon, we took to a launch and Had a lovely cruise round Derwentwater, before treating the ducks to some treats.

Now back at the hotel relaxing before going out to the Theatre on the Lake to see the ‘Hound of the Baskervilles’. 

It’s just been such a lovely day. See the extras for some other fun blips from today. 

Finally, thank you to all you lovely blippers for my comments, stars and hearts for my Blipday yesterday, it’s very much appreciated. The Blipfoto community really is wonderful.