R&R IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

Finally a destination where we can unpack bags, do laundry, and sit around if we want to.  We are deserving and in need!!!!

We left Glasgow around 1:30 on a train to the Lake District.  Once again we had the struggle of fitting everything back into the suitcases but even succeeding in doing that we felt like pack animals:-).

Yes! That is all our luggage, so what?  We are eating ice cream because we have to. It burns a lot of calories lugging these bags!  ( At least we're hoping it does!  To date, no scales in sight.  Isn't that just lovely,)

We finally got on the train.  The right one on the first attempt.  We were on our way.  Baggage is a problem. Not enough space but eventually we get everything situated.  Off we go.  Of course we have to change trains in  Oxenholm before we get to Windermere.  We get help because we are the beautiful women from Iona  :-)!  The train to Windermere is on the other side of the track.  No problem. We find the train and some very nice young men who volunteers to help put our bags in the overhead.

I guess they too knew we were the beautiful women from Iona.  They had no idea what they had volunteered for.  Poor guys!  They did ask us how we were going to manage since they got off before Windermere,  But of course we are ....so no problem.  A cab from the train station and we are on our way. Oh wait a minute, the cab driver says "where?"  Fortunately we have the directions because we are Marines and we are prepared!  On our way we ask about getting to Harrogate, our next stop and he volunteers to drive us there for a very good price.  Now, do we try to schlep our luggage at two train changes or do we hire a cab to take us door to door?  We think about it. No kidding, we did.  Actually we all wanted to say ,yes, that would be great, but we feel we need to talk it over first, I guess!

So, because we don't have cell phones we locate a phone booth, insert a credit card, and make a local call.  Arrangements are made!

We have a lovely 4 bedroom apartment in bowness in Windermere.  The town itself is probably one of the most commercial in the Lake District but we have the easy accessibility of buses to get us out of here and there are lots of restaurants around so we're happy.  

I have to admit that we stayed pretty close to home for two whole days.  We did laundry, sat around and just rested, read, and blogged :-)!  Of course we did some grocery shopping so we enjoyed simple breakfasts and easy evening meals.  

Relaxing at home!

The downtown of Bowness on Windermere.

Swans which are supposed to be so mean have decided humans are their friends here in Windermere.  The.children were even petting them.

On Sunday we decided to attend a church service.  We picked out an Old Angelican church, St.Martins, not too far from us.

Yes, I promise I was there.  It was a lovely service and everyone was extremely welcoming.  We stayed for coffee and talked with members after the service.  

This wooden carving of St. Martin was in the church  before the restoration in 1870, was lost sight of for over 40 years, and subsequently replaced in the church in 1912.

After services we found a place to eat. ( We try not to miss any meals! ) We wandered up the streets and had a great time just looking.  We have no room in our suitcases so we can't buy anything.  So sad!

We found these cute red hats for Sharon for her blog.

She thought this was too reminiscent of Minnie Pearl with the price tag showing. I. Don't know , I think it's a good look.

OK.  Maybe this is better.

Tomorrow, Grassmere and more!