Since Amsterdam got cancelled, we reconvened for Daniel's birthday in the Lake District. It was a calm, relaxed weekend and while the rain all Friday and Sunday morning definitely encouraged that, we still managed to visit a few of the sights.
The Derwen Pencil Museum
My inner art-nerd was SO happy we got to visit here and it was just a joy. The only criticism I had (and one I made well after we'd left) was that there was no information about how they come by the pigments for every colour, or how the process might change for all the different formulas - proclour pencils vs pastel pencils vs inktense pencils etc.
With that said, there was so much about how the Derwnt brand came to be, the various incarnations of packaging and signature lines, the World's Largest Pencil, and an interesting piece of history where the company was enlisted to create a secret pencil for WWII that held a map and a miniature compass to help allies trapped behind enemy lines escape.
Lowther Castle and Gardens
The grandest castle ruins we've visited yet! Part of the castle is used as a museum about the history of the castle, the Lowther family, and the events that led to it's current situation. The rest....is perfectly preserved with manicured wilderness growing through it. It was glorious.
The castle is situated on a large estate that is also open to the public (upon purchase of the ticket!), with walking trails, various little summer and tea houses scattered throughout, an amazing wooden castle-playground for kids (big and small), and a cafe. Even better, BYO picnic and dog-watch = dreams.
Though we weren't allowed in to the house itself thanks to Covid, it was still a truly gorgeous experience. The house was tucked away in a little hamlet on an out-of-the-way road with very few people around. It was quiet, the weather was calm with the sun peeking out from the clouds every now and then, and the only real sound was that of the birds. The garden was still maintained, the veggie patch still full - artichokes, onions, strawberries, flowers for the bees, rhubarbs, and more that I couldn't name.
You then walked out of the veggie patch into an apple orchard where a pop up cafe had been set up for afternoon tea (or morning tea, depending on when you visit!) with a pallet-made seating area.
Castlerigg Stone Circle
A circle of stones stand in a sheep paddock on the crest of a hill, overlooking Thirlmere Valley, the mountains of High Seat and Helvellyn, and farmed countryside. It's thought to be one of the oldest stone circles in Britain according to the English Heritage, dating back to roughly 3000 BC, and was one of the first monuments to be recommended for preservcation back in 1883. If you'd like to know more, head here.
Unlike Stonehenge which is roped off from the public, Castlerigg is accessible to all and sundry - all ages were there when we arrived and it was definitely a waiting game if you wanted to get any photos without another soul in them.
One of the great things about the Lake District was how many dogs were everywhere and how acceptable it was to bring your dog into pubs, restaurants, cafes, etc. We were in our element, watching all the lovely four-legs and envying their owners.
We also learnt the she-Google (i.e. Navigator Skye) is a tricksy beastie who will occasionally lead the driver (i.e. Cameron) down one-lane roads and narrower country lanes. The last lane she-Google took us down was so narrow that hedges pressed in on either side and would have inhibited the car doors opening had we needed to. It was also a pedestrian thoroughfare for the Castlerigg Stone Circle so a handful of those poor souls found themselves up against a stone fence or pressing into the fence-like shrubbery to get out of our way and allow us passage - even though we were quite happy to meander on behind them. 😅
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