Just in case you were wondering what had happened to the lakes in our journey to the Lake District, here is a photo of Lake Windermere.
Unfortunately I don’t have that many photos of actual lakes. It was positively chucking it down with rain when we were at Ullswater and we didn’t feel like getting soaked so we just drove on. I really wanted to go on one of the wee steamboats which were chugging along on the lake so that’s what we’ll be doing the next time we are in the vicinity. I did spot a couple of people down at the water’s edge – skimming stones, completely oblivious to the sheets of rain coming down. If you want to see what Ullswater looks like have a look here.
There’s a famous waterfall near there too called Aira Force, have a look here if you want to see that.
The Lake District is quite similar to Scotland in parts, it’s a sort of squashed up version of Scotland as the lakes are so close together, you don’t have to travel far before you reach another one. I somehow don’t think that the people in Cumbria would like to think of it as Little Scotland, in the way that the French are quite happy to call one of their loveliest areas La Petite Suisse.
The Lake District is similar to Scotland, but without the magnificence of high mountains in the background, and with far more tourists.
Very lovely picture. I would love to visit Scotland or the Lake District, if I did not have problems with flying and such like.
TracyK,
I’m exactly the same, I was quite happy to fly when I was younger, before I had kids but after Lockerbie I couldn’t take the decision to put them on a plane so I haven’t flown since. My sons are happy to fly now they are adults though. I’m waiting for a Star Trek transporter system to beam me up! It could be a long wait.
I like the idea of a transporter beam. I do fly (to see my family in Alabama) but as little as possible; not only is it scary but uncomfortable and expensive.
TracyK,
I think I could manage a flight of an hour or so within Europe but not the 5 hours it would take me to get to the US. I can’t imagine being stuck on a plane that long. Next time I go abroad it’s going to be by North Sea ferry.
I don’t blame you for not wanting to visit the lakes in the rain – I think that would be claustrophobic! They do look beautiful, though. Are there really tons of tourists?
Anbolyn,
There are always some tourists around but in the high season it gets very busy, certainly compared with scenic areas in Scotland. If you go to the lakes and it’s too busy just point yourself north, it’ll definitely be more peaceful!
I just love the Lake District. Colin and I used to walk some of the mountains, but these days I prefer to look at them from below! Technically, you sdon’y need to use the word “lake” in front of a “…..mere”, as basically a mere is a Lake! So just plain Windermere suffices! As a kid we used to go often to Ambleside and I think it was Waterside (where the youth hostel is~)where we stayed in a little family run guest house – now part of the youth hostel!
Loads of visitors in the “Lakes” Anbolyn! I prefer it in the off season when it is quieter!
sdon’y???? I meant DON’T of course.
evee,
You’re right but I always think of the town rather than the lake if I don’t say ‘lake’. I’m looking forward to being able to go about in the off season, outwith school holidays!