Today was Navigator Nancy’s big day...the Lake District day. She has been looking forward to this one for a while.
But first, leaving Carlisle, Steven blatantly ran over a curb while entering the main drag, almost as if he didn’t even see it. 9-6...him.
Our first off-the-beaten-path stop was the Castlerigg Stone Circle, just outside of Keswick.
In the Lake District, all roads lead to Keswick...
We found a choice parking spot and walked up to the 4,500-year-old circle where, for a moment, we had the place to ourselves.
Really amazing to stand in that setting with a crisp morning air and the ever-present clouds rolling in; very cool to be there in complete silence. A lot of thoughts run through the mind...especially after watching a season of Outlander, one takes pause before physically touching a stone...
We had a wonderful moment or two at Castlerigg before the tour buses arrived and we decided to head back into the town of Keswick to nerd out at the Pencil Factory.
We work in the Art Department, what do you want from us?!
Our graphite journey took us through the discovery of Derwent pencils from its humble beginnings as a cottage industry to its modern-day production.
We struck a pose with the world’s biggest color pencil and learned the truly fascinating history of pencil making.
Afterwards, we traveled the loop (lots of loops on this trip) along narrow, beautiful winding
roads (lots of those, too). Steven was still driving and they were tough, white-knuckled miles, and I was glad he was at the helm, especially when he racked up curb-check number 10 during our final Keswick loop.
10-6. BOOM.
Shortly after, David stated, “I bet I’d have some curb checks, too, if I was allowed to drive...” Well-crafted, but take it up with Enterprise, Mr. Mahlman...
We drove through Whinlatter Forrest, into the Cumbrian Mountains and up to the Honister Slate Mine. The stone walls that wrapped around the hills were amazing. The colors of the changing October leaves, the lakes (not lochs), stunning all around.
After Steven did the hard work, I took the wheel and guided us past Liverpool and Manchester to our next home at the Castle Hotel in Conwy.
Wales, at last!
Wales is fun because of the English language that’s not really quite English, is it? It’s like there are 12 letters in a word, 11 are consonants, and you either pronounce two of them or 28 of them...jury’s out as to which is the correct way...so...good luck, dummy!
So far, I love it here.
Our hotel was located literally within the castle walls, and, after checking in, we immediately went out to walk the village. We even found the smallest house in the world!
After a pint or two and a great dinner, we headed back to the hotel to polish of a bottle of Oban from Oban and crash in our room until daybreak.
We don’t have many drive days left, and this one was fantastically full of beautiful scenery and another exquisite castle.
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