The Literary Lake District

The Malcolm, the concierge at the timeshare, had said that we would have a sunny but cool day today. Just like the weatherman, he lied. The day was cool, misty, and gray. That didn’t stop us from venturing out with the car to brave the roads. The hillside reflections off of the smooth, clear lakes were not as pretty as it could have been. However, the scenery was still breathtaking.

There are two very famous authors who have called the Lake District Home. One is William Wordsworth and the other is Beatrix Potter. We first drove to a little town called Grasmere – William Wordsworth lived here at Dove Cottage. Wordsworth loved to walk the many footpaths in the lakes with his notebook and pen. He sat for hours writing his poetry to which we are all grateful. I can understand why he spent so much time outside. The quaint home is very dark inside. The one window in each room was not overly large and made it very difficult to see when you were inside. I can see why there are window seats in every room. If you really wanted to read or write you needed to curl up by the window.

If Wordsworth wanted to write or read at night he would sit at his corner chair and light a rush candle. Depending on how much light you wanted you could light the rush at both ends in the candle holder. This may have been the origin of the phrase “burning the candle at both ends”. He also may have inspired the phrase “traveling light” His Portmanteau (suitcase) was very small and held his shave kit, extra socks, a night shirt, an extra shirt, and his extra paper and pens.

He also lived in a place called Rydal Mount and Gardens. As small as Dove Cottage was, Rydal Mount was just the opposite. The rooms were large and had at least two windows in each room. It was a manor house as opposed to the simple farmer’s cottage that was Dove Cottage. The gardens at Royal Mount were said to have been designed by Wordsworth. There were winding pathways to walk, benches to sit upon, flowers to smell, and a view to contemplate. What a perfect setting for a poet to perfect his craft.

Not far away are the little villages called Hawkshead & Near Sawrey. Since it was lunchtime, we had planned to picnic in the park. However, the weather had us celebrating with a picnic in the car instead. It was still a gray, dismal overcast day, terribly chilly with a full mist sending the cold right through you. The trees were laden heavy with moisture. The water collected heavily on the foliage just starting to turn fall colors. Of course, this weather doesn’t bother those that come for a ramble (walk). They come dressed in Country Clothing (hiking clothes) able to bear whatever weather is thrown at them. The typical Rambler (Walker) would be adorned as follows:
Walking Hat with a round rim
Treated water repellent walking jacket (field jacket)
Outdoor Waistcoat (ski vest)
Scarf
Knickers (or long pants covered by socks over the cuffs)
Tall Socks
Walking shoes
Walking stick
And the requisite Jack Russell Terrier

Beatrix came to this area after she had written her first Peter Rabbit book. She bought Hill Top Cottage and eventually married. She loved the fresh air and quiet life, so different from her London upbringing. She took to the local activity of being a sheep farmer. She raised Herdwick Sheep (Black Sheep – you know the type Bah, Bah, Black Sheep Have You Any Wool Yes, sir, Yes, sir, three bags full.….) She was inspired by her cottage and the area. She used her house and some of its items in her book illustrations. The garden was still as it would have been if she had been living there. In the various rooms we toured, you would find one of her books open to some illustration of an item or view that was in or from the house. It was very special connection to be able to make. I know when Josiah is older and I read her stories to him, I’ll be able to see in my minds eye just where the things were in the cottage. Wish I could have been able to take pictures inside.

I had hoped to be able to share the Ireland pictures with everyone, but the internet café, which is close to us, closed early today. We were only able to get some pictures transferred. I still need to label them and add the rest of the Ireland Pictures. We won’t make it back in time tomorrow to get to the shop, so you will all need to wait a little longer for actual visual references. I guess you will just have to make due with my verbal descriptions for the time being. I hope you are enjoying the blog. Howard & I are enjoying writing it. It gives us a chance to review and relive the day.

T&T – from misty Bowness-on-Windermere