Beatrix Potter, Castlerigg, and Rainy Day Walks

After our night at the delightful Ees Wyck country house, we walked five minutes down the road to visit the home Beatrix Potter purchased as an adult.  Beatrix was a conservationist and upon her death she left the house, along with many, many acres of land to the National Trust. She gifted the home & land so long as it was all left unspoiled. 

Beatrix Potter's country house

The home was quite tiny and dark, but the weather outside was worse, so we were happy to duck in for a half hour or so.

Beatrix Potter's garden

After visiting Beatrix Potter's home, we drove north to find a circle of standing stones built around 3200 BC. The stones are now referred to as Castlerigg stone circle. 

Castlerigg stone circle

Seeing as it was pouring down rain, there weren't many visitors. We had a fun time imagining how the Neolithic Celtic people would have used standing stones such as these as a meeting place for various tribes, religious services and/or sacrifices, or as a portal through time and space! :-)

Bill inside Castlerigg stone circle

We took a walk after visiting the stone circle. I'm not quite sure where we were, or if we could ever find it again, but it sure was pretty! 

Walking in the rain

We also stumbled upon a "new" public waterworks building that was built in 1880. The folks who had it built wanted it to look old timey, so they fashioned it to look like a castle guard house. The plaque out front made sure everyone knew this was a new building. Because, y'know, 1880 was just last week! 

Random "new" public works building (circa 1880)

Tarn Hows and Ees Wyck Country House

In Early April, Bill and I took a long weekend and drove to the west coast of England for a long weekend in the Lakes District. As this name would imply, there are many lakes within the Lakes District, and Tarn Hows is one of them. 

Tarn Hows

I did a bunch of research to locate fun yet easy walks for us to take in the sights, and a walk around Tarn Hows fit the bill. The rain clouds were a bit ominous, but thankfully the rain stayed up in the sky while we walked around the lake. The springtime song birds were a cacophony all around us, and with the weather so foreboding, we only ran across a few other people during the whole of our walk. What a great welcome to the Lakes District!

River flowing away from Tarn Hows

Artsy photo of Tarn Hows

A few posts ago, Bill showcased the first (and so far only) wishing tree we've found in England. We used the rock provided (on top of tree in photo below) to hammer our 10p coin into the tree and made a wish. 

Wishing Tree

Walking around the back side of the lake provided more views of the hills beyond. It was a lovely, relaxing start to our 3-day weekend!

Swooping curve of Tarn Hows

After our walk around the lake, we made our way to our BandB, a large country house that Beatrix Potter used to Summer in as a child, called Ees Wyck. From our room we could see the grazing sheep, yet another lake, and the gorgeous green fields. We had booked a dinner reservation at the house as well, and boy were we happy we did that! It was a 5-course prix fixe dinner and a bottle of wine that was out of this world! We were bummed we had booked our second night at a separate location on the other side of the Lakes District. 

We hope to return to the Ees Wyck at some point in our lives. And if you're ever looking for accommodations in the Lakes District, we strongly recommend this establishment!*

View from Ees Wyck Country House

* This post was not sponsored by the fine folks at Ees Wyck, we just really, really like the place :-)

A Sad Goodbye

Toni, Dad, Mom, Me, Todd
Bill & My Wedding Day, September 24, 2005

As many of you know, I am the primary keeper-of-this-blog. Alas, I haven't been keeping up with the blog over the last several weeks, and the reason why makes me very sad.

My beautiful, fun, full-of-life, healthy, and seemingly indestructible mom took ill last November. She went from attending a Halloween party to a stomach ache to being diagnosed with an aggressive, stage 4 cancer all within a two-week timespan. 

On Sunday, April 20th, she quietly passed away in our house with Dad, Todd, Toni, and me all by her side. She was so brave throughout her ordeal, and as typical, worried about us (not herself) right up until the end. 

We had a small, private ceremony shortly after her passing. A celebration of her life will take place on July 18th with a reception to follow. If you'd like the when and where details, please let me know.

Dad, Todd, Toni, and I all worked together to write her obituary. It was a very difficult thing to do, but I am glad we were able to pull together and support each other. 

I will get back to updating the blog with happier posts in the near future. I actually have quite a backlog of photos and adventures to document, and I look forward to sharing them with you. 

A Morning Walk

Back home in California, Bill and I had a number of favorite breakfast spots: from greasy spoons, coffee shops, and bakeries, to high-end, sit-down restaurants. In England, they seem to have bed and breakfasts or takeaway pastry shops, but not much else as far as breakfast goes. Except for Betty's. Betty's of Harrogate is a Swiss tea house / restaurant that serves fancy meals all day long. And it's only a ten minute walk away!  

Bill decided one Sunday morning a few weeks ago, that we should get up and walk into town for breakfast at Betty's. I thought that a brilliant idea; I hopped out of bed and got ready in record time! We arrived at Betty's at 8:30, but they don't start sit-down service until 9:00, so we had a while to walk around and take in some morning sunshine.

Tour de France is coming!!!

Yorkshire Rose and French Fleur de Lis

Right near the center of town, a dying tree was recently cut down. Instead of grinding out the stump, they carved into the trunk some wonderful artwork celebrating the coming of the Tour de France. One side of the tree showcases a bicycle & the year. The other side of the tree celebrates the Tour spending two days in Yorkshire, with the Yorkshire rose on top and the French Fleur de Lis on the bottom. 

Just behind the carved tree is a bed of flowers in the pattern of a bike. Can you tell everyone's excited that the Tour is coming?!? The road works crews have been working non-stop to re-pave any and all roads featured on the tour (not inconvenient at all... I type sarcastically) and the whole town seems to be receiving a very big spring clean. I hope all of their efforts are worthwhile and the two days the Tour is in Yorkshire are sunny, warm, and fun!

Bike flower display

After our delicious breakfast at Betty's (eggs florentine for me, smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and bacon for Bill), we decided to take a nice walk through a local garden. 

Spring is here! (on some days)

As you can see, the sun was shining and the cherry trees are starting to blossom. Alas, the weather turned about an hour after we got home and it rained for the rest of the day.

Along our walk we spotted a small miniature golf course. Those of you who have heard the story about my "Best. Day. Ever!" (Under 10 years old edition) know surprise miniature golf is awesome (IMHO)!

Surprise miniature golf

On our way back through the park towards home I spotted two cute ducks. Awww... 

Duckies!!

All in all, a terrific Sunday morning!