Derwentwater

Our B & B, recommended by TripAdvisor, is near very Keswick and we saw most of today through rain. It is basically very pretty and with the slate everywhere, looks very distinctive. Derwentwater is one of the most painted areas of the Lakes, but today it was mostly enjoyed by a few kayakers and the many ducks.

There is a beautiful valley -Ashness, with England's oldest packhorse bridge -Ashness --to be continued...

and an ancient Viking settlement- Watendlath, reached via a very narrow road between stone walls.

The bridge furthest from he lake, has a pebbled paveway and one stone has been carefully inscribed to mark a visit by HRH Prince Charles in 1995. Such a simple token.

Someone called 'Brown Trout' is very much missed there.

At breakfast, we were surprised to hear a couple speaking French, Patrick and Carole from Aix en Provence, so we introduced ourselves and by chance met again in a pub "The Dog and Gun" where we passed a pleasant evening with them.