Having a go of it

A perfectly pleasant day in the Lake District...

Beginning with a trip to Hilltop which, of course was Beatrix Potter's farm. She actually lived at Castle Cottage in the village, but Hilltop was where she went to write and find sanctuary. Hilltop is today, as she left it. Six small rooms,a hall, parlour, bedroom, treasure room, siting room, and new room, filled with her belongings and treasures that she loved. I especially enjoyed seeing parts of the house and pieces of furniture that she included in her little books. Hilltop garden planted to overflowing with flowers, herbs, fruit, and vegetables. (Oh Mr. Hawkins...we have lots of work to do when I return!) I plan to visit the gardens more on Friday when the house is closed and there are not so many tourists! :)

This afternoon, Sarah and I went to the village of Hawkshead and visited the Beatrix Potter Gallery, where we saw numerous pieces of original drawings for the little books. WE had a lovely lunch with 'jacket potatoes'and Victoria cake for dessert! Oh my!!! The highlight of my day was almost accidental! This evening, I was taking a short walk on a footpath when I saw a signpost for Moss Eccles Tarn. A 'tarn' is another name for a pond. and I was trying to decide if I wanted to have a go of it.(Sarah was not feeling well and was laying down--I think she got a bit dehydrated but she is fine now). An older British couple was walking by and asked If I wanted to join them. I accepted and we walked on the winding footpath that took us through sheep fields and wooded areas, along the shore of the tarn, up and down the gentle hills. We saw rabbits, pheasant, huge bumble bees, coots (a kind of bird!), and sheep, sheep, and more sheep.The gentleman is a member of the Beatrix Potter Society, and shared all sorts of fascinating information about the area and Beatrix Potter herself. I felt very lucky to happen upon this opportunity!

Tomorrow we hope to go to Ambleside where there is a library that houses a large number of Beatrix Potter's scientific drawings.

I hope you are all well,

Your aff friend,
Kathy Hawkins