Are we there yet? pleads my three-year-old son from the rear of the car. Ive returned to the Lake District for the first time since my school trip to Patterdale, back in the early eighties. Im curious as to what I can recall of the place after all these years, however, the sands of time and copious quantities of alcohol play havoc with the old grey matter.
Ive already decided our next appointment with the lakes will be headquartered at Windermere, hub of the region. As a base its ideally positioned for excursions to all of Lake District National Park, as well as a noble locale to explore itself. Were stationed at the Flookburgh caravan park in the southern region of the Lake District, and though pleasant, the daily half-hour drive to Windermere grows slightly tedious.
We park almost a mile short of the main town to explore the enchanting Bowness-on-Windermere. Boats for hire are aplenty, and though tempting, my stomach is demanding lunch. Central to life here, the local bar-restaurant protrudes beyond the riverbank and affords magnificent views from the upper landing while we consume lunch. The upper seating area is built directly above lakeside and gives the...