A Postcard From Ullswater

The broadband in The Lake District is not exactly high speed so, as I've got so many photos to share with you, I've delayed posting this blog until getting home. 

We've been staying in Howtown on Ullswater for a week. Eight of us stayed at The Inn At Whitewell to celebrate Marion's sixtieth last year and enjoyed the weekend so much that we've tried to make it a regular event. After Whitewell, Malham and Matlock, this was our fourth such get together and, as it's our Ruby Wedding year, Marion and I decided to book somewhere very special for a week with our friends joining us for a long weekend.

So, last Friday evening here we all were, together again.

The idea was to use the cars as little as possible so, on Saturday, we walked from the house along the lake to Glenridding.

The Bluetooth shutter release for the iPhone only worked when I moved from the back of the photo.

But was fine for close ups.

The house, Waternook, could not have been in a more perfect location.

It's an absolutely fabulous place. It would be difficult to find a superlative to do it justice.Here are some photos taken near the house.

Waiting for the Ullswater Steamer with Waternook in the background.

After walking to Glenridding on Saturday we caught the steamer to Pooley Bridge on Sunday and had a decent lunch at The Sun before walking back to Waternook across the fells.

Although the walking was great, the house was so amazing that it was a pleasure to get back.

We enjoyed three communal meals in the superb kitchen. We kept things simple with a lasagne, and some excellent game pies and a Badhu's curry from Leo's Deli in Framlingham.

I took all my SLR camera stuff with me but was so happy with the iPhone that it stayed in the camera bag. Here are some more photos from near the house.

It was misty on Tuesday morning so I went out for another photo session. I'm particularly pleased with some of the images I captured.

The next one is my favourite.

Our friends departed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday leaving Marion and me rattling around in Waternook for three nights. Underfloor heating, mood lighting settings in every room and a networked music system with a huge choice of tracks are just a few of the features. Here are some photos. As I said earlier, I can't think of a superlative that would do it justice - it really is that good. 

Kitchen diner

A bath with a view (and a TV if it's dark)

A hot tub with an even better view

A welcome daily visitor

The perfect kitchen 

On Wednesday evening we caught the steamer from Howtown to Pooley Bridge for the Pooley Bridge winter droving event. In celebration of the community getting back on its feet after last years horrific flooding there was a torchlit procession from the landing stage through the village to a bonfire. The droving was led by a far from traditional drum troupe dressed in bizarre illuminated costumes that would not have looked out of place at Carnivale in Venice.

We did more walking on Thursday.

We stopped at Lowther Barn Tea Room. This is a great little place that's reachable only on foot (or by bike). Gill, who runs the cafe, sorted us out on Saturday with some superb home made sausage rolls and cakes. We went back on Thursday. The steamers weren't running due to high winds so we had the cafe to ourselves.

The house has so much space

Each room is beautifully furnished and decorated. We didn't use this bedroom.

Or this one

Lazing in the laconium (hot room) after a dip in the hot tub was totally relaxing

And the home cinema experience was outstanding (now we're trying to work out how we can fit one of these screens at home)

The cocktail bar was nicely fitted out

The week flew by. It was perfect and I doubt that we'll ever better it. But for the sake of our friends.

We'll do our best. Here's to the next time.