Great Britain Trip – Friday, Day 6 – Exploring The Lake District

Our Stomping Grounds on Day 6 – Keswick to the Southern end of Lake Windemere

Our Birthday Lunch Spot in Ambleside – The Flying Fleece

Carter Enjoying lunch which included an incredible chicken liver pate

Today was Carter Franklin’s 30th Birthday. So, we started our 3rd day in the Lake District with Davis and I visiting a local Whiskey and Gin shop for some tastings at 10 a.m. in the morning! While there, we purchased an impromptu birthday gift for Carter. We also purchased various libations. We then drove from Keswick to the village of Ambleside, where he had a wonderful birthday lunch and boarded a cruise that would take us all the way to the other end of Lake Windermere and back.

Boys enjoying a birthday scotch on the cruise on Lake Windemere to warm themselves

one of our ports of call on Lake Windemere

An impromptu B-Day sparkling wine celebration at the end of the cruise

Lake Windermere is the largest lake in England with a maximum depth of 230 feet. In addition to having the largest lakes in England, the Lake District also has the highest mountains. Maybe that is why Londoners prefer to vacation here than any other area of England.

The 1.5 mile walk back into Ambleside and through town after the cruise

After our cruise we visited William Wordsworth’s home, Dove Cottage. In addition to Shakespeare, Tennyson, and Lord Byron, Wordsworth would be included on the Mt. Rushmore of English poets. One of my favorite poems, “I wondered Lonely As A Cloud” was written my Wordsworth.

Wordsworth’s Home – Dove Cottage – in a small village outside of Ambleside

The Lake that the Village adjoins that may have inspired many of Wordsworth’s poems

After we returned to our cottage, we ordered classic English take-out. The dinner included Battered Haggis, battered Black Pudding, fish and chips, Cornish Pastries, Cheese and Onion Pie, and Cumberland Sausage. Not much on the veggies.

Carter’s Birthday Gift that was purchased a day earlier – beautiful river and cricket grounds in background

Afterwards, we ended our celebration of Carter’s Birthday by smoking Cuban Cigars purchased in Carlisle and drinking English Whiskey purchased that morning in Keswick. We watched highlights of The Open and the British show ”Love Island.” Google it. It is the most watched TV show in England and has become a cultural phenomenon.

Our B&B Cottage is the last white building on the left

Today was a very special day for all of us, but especially for Carter. How many people get to celebrate their 30th Birthday with family in a place like this. It IS HARD TO BELIEVE that all of our children are in their 30s. But I am embracing this new chapter of my life. Anyway, what choice do I have?