Only three hours from Irvine, we opted for the beautiful Lakes District and just happened to pick a spectacular day for weather. Saturday brought blue skies and 25 degrees. Our newly acquired Scottish expectation of weather had us prepared with clothes for all seasons. Luckily, because Sunday was grey and drizzly all day. 
The B and B we chose was a good find too. Brendan Chase provided us with lovely soft beds and huge Full English Breakfasts to keep us going well past lunchtime. On Saturday morning we made the most of the sunshine (and the calories from breakfast) and headed off up the hill in Windemere for spectacular views. 
Lake Windemere is the largest lake in England. You can't miss it in the photos.
The tallest peak, Scafell Pike (978 m) could also be seen from the lookout but we can't remember which peak to show you on the photos. After soaking up the views we trudged down, discovering Eeyore on the way.
Greg made a new friend in Eeyore, perhaps due to the fact that Eeyore rather like peppermints when Greg does not.Next we visited the town of Grasmere where gingerbread was first properly made (so they say). The recipe is still kept in a bank vault in the village. Of course we had to sample some, along with their locally brewed ginger beer.
In Grasmere we also visited the grave of the famous English romantic poet, William Wordsworth.
Sherryn and Tim sadly had to start their long drive back to London but before they left they recommended we take a stunning drive through Hardknott Pass. 
The road was one of the narrowest and steepest we've come across with a gradient of 30 degrees at one point! The Romans built a road over this pass between Ambleside on Lake Windemere and the West coast in 2nd century AD. We visited the Roman Fort, built between about AD 120 and 138. The buildings must have been very impressive since 500 men were housed here at one time. You can make out the external walls on top of the hill to the right of the picture below.
The area was heavily excavated in the 1950's and 60's and lots of important information about Roman times was gathered from the site.
In Grasmere we also visited the grave of the famous English romantic poet, William Wordsworth.
Sherryn and Tim sadly had to start their long drive back to London but before they left they recommended we take a stunning drive through Hardknott Pass. 
The road was one of the narrowest and steepest we've come across with a gradient of 30 degrees at one point! The Romans built a road over this pass between Ambleside on Lake Windemere and the West coast in 2nd century AD. We visited the Roman Fort, built between about AD 120 and 138. The buildings must have been very impressive since 500 men were housed here at one time. You can make out the external walls on top of the hill to the right of the picture below.
The area was heavily excavated in the 1950's and 60's and lots of important information about Roman times was gathered from the site.Outside the square of the fort is the remains of the bath house (which has a rare circular sudatorium - sweating room). Here's Greg walking on the remains. The sheep feel free to wander in and out so we thought we could too.
Due to the number of sheep roaming free on the narrow, steep roads we travelled at a snail's pace back to Windemere via a short ferry across the lake whilst enjoying the sunlight. It was still light at 11pm that night as we sat on the lawn of a local pub, sipping a glass of wine, still in t-shirts and shorts.
Due to the number of sheep roaming free on the narrow, steep roads we travelled at a snail's pace back to Windemere via a short ferry across the lake whilst enjoying the sunlight. It was still light at 11pm that night as we sat on the lawn of a local pub, sipping a glass of wine, still in t-shirts and shorts.Despite the drizzle on Sunday we bought 2 "Walker's Pass". The passes enabled us to travel a circular route including the ferry from Windemere to Ambleside to Wray Castle, then an eight mile walk down the Western edge of Lake Windemere and a short ferry back to the car.
Fortunately the walk was mostly under the trees and the bad weather drove all but the hardiest of tourists indoors! Greg discovered his favourite castle in Wray Castle. 
Its relatively new, seeing as it was built in 1850. It was a private house, built for a surgeon from Liverpool, but now belongs to the National Trust and now you know its not open on Sundays.
As usual the weekend away ended in a long drive for Greg and a long sleep in the car for Jane. Jane arrived home in Irvine refreshed and ready for another week of work and Greg arrived unable to speak due to exhaustion.
Fortunately the walk was mostly under the trees and the bad weather drove all but the hardiest of tourists indoors! Greg discovered his favourite castle in Wray Castle. 
Its relatively new, seeing as it was built in 1850. It was a private house, built for a surgeon from Liverpool, but now belongs to the National Trust and now you know its not open on Sundays.
As usual the weekend away ended in a long drive for Greg and a long sleep in the car for Jane. Jane arrived home in Irvine refreshed and ready for another week of work and Greg arrived unable to speak due to exhaustion. 
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