Middle-aged flash packers

A slow start today, just made it in time to our second Wordsworth house this holiday.

Dove Cottage is situated in Grasmere and is where William and his sister, Dorothy, set up home together.

It’s a modest cottage but cosy and comfortable. I could imagine them sitting together after a bracing walk, writing poetry and having a cup of tea. Or a few drops of laudanum in Dorothy’s case. Williams’s wife Mary also lived there, soon to be followed by several children, at which point they decided it was time to move on. With Dorothy in tow of course.

The cottage also has a small museum attached to it which is quite interesting, although it was all a bit prescriptive. I preferred how the National Trust had organised the house in Cockermouth- you wander from room to room, bits of interesting information are scattered about and volunteers like Bill entertain you with their near death experiences.

Next, an attempt to climb two Wainwrights. I knew Steve wouldn’t be able to resist the call of the fells so off we went. Carrock Fell is a very steep ascent but Steve made easy work of it – very promising. Just before I reached the top, 2 hikers coming down warned me it was very windy at the top.

They weren’t wrong. It was actually quite a job to remain upright, let alone move forward. Where the hell did the wind come from? It was perfectly still as we climbed up. It’s that bloody omen again.

Still, we managed to make it to High Pike, which was also windy but not quite as bad. A gentle descent saw us strolling through Calbeck Common and -guess what? No pain in Steve’s knee. Hurrah. And we saw our second rainbow of the day. Then it rained. Not so good. I am sick of it tbh and long for some hot sun. Maybe tomorrow.

Today my quote is from William Wordsworth. (I’m sure Mr Wainwright won’t mind) Its simple but excellent advice:

“let nature be your teacher.”

One to ponder…