The Journey North

 You can read about some of our exciting adventures as GB and I headed North from Devon to the Outer Hebrides on GB’s blog, here. 

These are some other aspects of the 855 mile journey from Exeter to Eagleton. 

A lot of blue signs.

Knowing that we avoided the toll on the older Severn bridge crossing into England from Wales I assumed we would do the same if we used the newer, second Severn Bridge going the other way.  No.  Apparently the toll of £6 applies Westward on both bridges so you are charged to go into Wales but not to come out of it!  Once I realised that I recalled that we got caught doing the same thing last year.

I love inn signs and because of traffic lights in Shrewsbury I was able to capture this one from the car.  

We stopped near Nantwich for a bite to eat and I was watching through the window and pouring rain as an adult House Martin fed its young on a nearby fence.  The camera kept focussing on the rain it was that heavy!

The Lakes Lodge – our fine accommodation on Friday night and an excellent breakfast. 

On Friday night we had a meal at Ambles Brasserie and at its conclusion GB had some cheese and biscuits.  The cheese was Garstang Blue, a Lancashire cheese from Dewlay Cheesemakers of Garstang.  I was tempted to have a little but and then even more temoted to have some more.  It has a smooth, creamy texture and a rich,ellow , mild flavour which even those who don't normally like blue cheese would surelly appreciate.Í want more!

One of the splendid Westfields parked at the Lakes Lodge.

Early morning mist, Ambleside.

St Mary’s, Ambleside.

The Bridge House.

The Old Mill.

And a mill wheel on the other side of the Stock Ghyll which I hadn't seen before.

While the sun shone in Ambleside on Saturday morning GB took us down to the Ambleside Waterhead Ferry Landing. 

This launch, The Queen of the Lake, is on the National Register of Historic Vessels and was built in 1949 by Watercraft of Molesey in Surrey. 

A somewhat more modern vessel that tours the islands on the lake.

 Ambleside Pierhead.

 These two seem content to stay at the ferry jetty and enjoy the scraps the visitors throw at them.

Then it was off to Grasmere for us, about which I shall tell you more at a future date…