Day 55 - Burneside to Bowness-in-Windermere

I started the day by booking campsites up to next Monday night because I was concerned that the pitches with electric hook-ups would all be gone as it is holiday time. Weekends are a problem as the sites near the walk are often popular places, especially in the Lakes. We could, of course, wild camp, but we do like a bit of luxury - a good shower, nice toilet facilities and, of course, we need electric for the computer. We may be able to blog on battery soon as Lee is bringing a new one on Friday - hope it fits! Tomorrow I will be looking for sites around Hadrian's Wall - can't really believe that by next Monday we will be starting there; I am really looking forward to it as Jamie and Kirstie walked it last summer and have told us how fantastic it is.

I explored the centre of Bowness-in-Windemere (mainly still looking for shorts!) and there are lots of eating and drinking places, outdoor clothing and souvenir shops. It was crowded with foreign visitors, who had come on the numerous coaches parked by the lake. I hadn't expected it to be quite so busy on a Wednesday in the middle of June but it was heaving! Obviously, they have all come to the famous Beatrix Potter Centre - I'm not sure I can go in without a child in tow!

From Bernie:
Today's walk  10.0 miles     :     Cumulative  699.8 miles

Great to be back walking in tee-shirt weather but I couldn't escape the irritating showers - too heavy to ignore but too warm for even the lightest of waterproofs!

First half of the walk was beside the lovely River Kent, reputedly the fastest-flowing in England. I've walked beside its source on High Street, way up in the Lakes, & along its banks where it finally empties into Morecambe Bay at Arnside but never along this middle section where it rushes towards the sea. Full to the brim after all the recent rain, this was a brilliant walk.

Cowan Mill complex on the River Kent - now residential but a working mill as recently as the early 1990s

Paused briefly in Staveley at the excellent 'Eagle & Child' pub for early refreshment, after all my criticism of pubs in the area I finally found one that opens at 11.00am! I'd never heard this legend but maybe I've led a sheltered life...!

I love legends like this! It leaves you wondering what really happened....

Highlight of the Day: my approach to Bowness was, actually, quite momentous! It marked my entry into yet another National Park, The Lake District; I completed 'The Dales Way', though I had walked the first half in snow a couple of Easters ago; it completed Section 5 of LeJog one day ahead of schedule & started me thinking about 'The Cumbria Way'; it marked my arrival at England's largest lake - a day of highlights, really!

Beer of the Day: I don't like lager but tried a pint of 'Lakeland Lager' at Staveley's 'Eagle & Child' as it's brewed in the village & the tasting notes on the pump sounded promising. I still don't like lager but could drink this in an emergency. A valiant piece of research carried out to show my open-mindedness & total lack of bias!

Proper Beer of the Day: actually, not much better! Had a pint of Moorhouse's (Burnley) 'Blond Witch' in Bowness - light & rather bland but with a little more flavour than the lager.

First glimpse of Lake Windermere from above the crowds of Bowness

Stuart: but are you watching the series that shoots off over the Irish Sea & then wanders around the islands? You might be in Scotland but you may never get to John o' Groats! I'd like to be able to say I'm walking as fast as I can but there's so many interesting things that keep getting in the way!

Tomorrow's Lakeland Fells