Hi Fletcher & Polly here
Welcome to part two of our of stay at Armathwaite Hall.
Wednesday
Once again the day dawned sunny and another very warm day was in prospect.
Fletcher said, "we were wondering if we could have a trip out this morning."
"Sure lad".
"How about going to the Castlerigg Stone Circle again. It is in such an amazing situation and the views should be good."
"What a good idea", replied Dad. "Whose coming along."
"Collins, Zachary, Fletcher and I", said Polly.
So after breakfast we scampered down to the car and off we went. As if we were going to Windermere, we took the narrow road off the A591 to climb to the large layby.
"Where do we go", asked Zachary.
"Through that gate opposite", pointed Fletcher.
Our attention was immediately drawn to this mountain.
"That's Blencathra", informed Polly. "Of course Dad and STAG have climbed it and the last time it was the one that meant that Little Eric had completed Wainwright book 5 the Northern Fells."
We include this picture of him at the trig ring marking the summit
Turning round Collins called out, "Wow, there's the stone circle. What an incredible location surrounded by the fells and mountains."
Looking at one of the information panels, Polly said, "the coming of the railway to Keswick, resulted in many more visitors to the circle, and raised concerns about its protection, partly because visitors were chipping fragments from the stones as souvenirs. In response to this Castlerigg Stone Circle became one of a small number of prehistoric monuments to be protected by law in 1882."
Crossing to another information panel Zachary read, "Castlerigg Stone Circle was built around 4500 years ago by prehistoric farming communities who settled on the fertile regions fringing the mountainous heart of the Lake District. The site was carefully chosen to impress and draw upon the natural drama provided by the surrounding fells."
Walking through the entrance, Fletcher pointed, "there's an inner circle."
To the south we looked down the vale dominated on the left by Helvellyn. "That is another of the mountains over 3000ft", said Fletcher. "It is incredibly popular with walkers using one of the many ascents over Striding Edge."
It was pleasantly warm so Polly suggested, "let's sit by those large stones to take in the views."
l-r Polly, Fletcher, Zachary and Collins
Dad joined us after taking the picture and it was lovely. "4500 years ago when it was built. One wonders what went on. Maybe celebrations of the summer solstice and winter too like at Stonehenge", mused Polly.
"A meeting place perhaps for trade and other events", went on Collins.
A little while later we trotted across towards the stile in the wall to get another view of the circle. Dad snapped a couple of pictures of the local residents.
Reaching the stile, Zachary said, "picture time."
Then close-ups. First Collins and Zachary....
...and Polly and Fletcher.
We now took the opportunity to look at the fells and mountains around.
"What can we see?", asked Collins.
"To the right of the tree is Grizedale Pike. Allen will tell you that reaching its summit he completed the Wainwright challenge climbing to all the 214 summits. To the left of the tree is the Coledale Fells. From the left is the pointed fell Ard Crags, then Causey Pike , Sail and Crag Hill", informed Dad.
"And over there", pointed Zachary.
"That's Skiddaw", said Fletcher.
"Correct lad", replied Dad. "Skiddaw is the highest section to the left. The bulky fell to the right is Lonscale Fell."
"And over there?", pointed Collins.
"In the foreground is Catbells and to its right Robinson. The ridge further right is that above Buttermere the summit seen far right being Red Pike.
"And finally there?", said Polly.
Dad had the answer of course. "The ridge from the left is High Spy and Maiden Moor. The mountain behind is Hindscarf. Maiden Moor is adjacent to Catbells. I recall summiting it. There was no one else there, yet as I looked to Catbells the summit was crowded."
"Will you take some pictures of the stones. There are some nice groups", asked Fletcher.
After we had sat for a while by the stones, it was time to return to Armathwaite Hall. "Thank you Dad for a super time", said Collins. "It has been so interesting."
"Quite" said the rest of us in unison. "You are the very best Dad and we are so lucky to live with you and come on holiday", went on Polly.
We trooped upstairs to the room. "Aww look", said Fletcher. "Saffie the Queen of Armathwaite. Stretched out and fast asleep."
Dad announced, "would any of you like to explore the grounds."
"Me and Cheviot", called out Berwick.
"Lexton and me", added Pablo.
"Right lads, let's go."
Across the car park, there were pretty flowers under the large tree. "Good place to sit for our picture", suggested Lexton.
l-r Berwick, Cheviot, Pablo and Lexton
"Just look at those planters. So beautiful and colourful", pointed Berwick. "Pictures please Dad."
Down the side of the hotel, we sat on the wall...
...looking at the wonderful view.
"Where now?", asked Cheviot.
"Along the terrace behind the huge yew tree and right towards the lake."
"That's another nice view", said Pablo.
"A swing", exclaimed Berwick. "We must sit on it and have a picture."
l-r Lexton, Berwick, Cheviot & Pablo
From the lawns the view of the hotel is superb.
"That's our room. The first window to the right of the tower", called out Lexton.
"What's that structure?", asked Pablo.
"The wedding gazebo", replied Dad. "On fine days and if requested the ceremony is held in it."
"Time for another photo", said Berwick.
"Ok, now back to the path and turn right", instructed Dad. "This will take us towards the bridge over the road."
Climbing the steps we made ready to cross the bridge.
"That's meadowsweet", said Pablo. "We have some in our garden at home."
After a short further slope down we reached the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake. "How beautiful", breathed Cheviot.
"We can sit on and by the rock while you take our picture Dad", said Lexton.
"Over the years of coming to Armathwaite Hall, I have seen very different levels of the lake. Indeed where you are sitting has been under quite a few feet of water at times."
"Do we go back the way we have come", asked Berwick.
"No lad. We go back a short way to the second path left and follow that along to a gate onto the road. Then we cross and take the track opposite and then through the gate on the left into the woods and follow the path left."
What's that", pointed Pablo.
"Once long ago there was an equestrian course in the grounds and this was one of the jumps.
"Well a good place to sit for our final picture", suggested Cheviot.
Looking over we could see this pond. Dad said, "that was the water jump on the course."
Following the path we went through this illuminated tunnel to emerge on the terrace once more.
"There's more beautiful planters. Worth pictures Dad", insisted Lexton.
"That was absolutely super", cheered Berwick. "Thanks Dad so much for the tour. I can say on behalf of us all we have thoroughly enjoyed it."
In the evening Dad went for dinner to The Grill. Our chief hug bears Fred and Gladly accompanied him.
Thursday
"Theatre day Dad", said Fletcher.
"Aye lad and I should have been taking Rex and Starbuck, had I not forgotten to bring them."
"Can we come instead?", asked Berwick.
"Of course."
We trotted out to the car and drove into Keswick Dad parking again at the rugby club. Then we walked to Hope Cafe where we had a nice snack.
We were a little early for the play so sat a while in the gardens seeing the lovely flowers.
Then it was time to go to the theatre and take our seat.
The play was Nell Gwynn, about the lady orange seller who came to the attention of King Charles II and later became his mistress. "How super that was", said Cheviot, as we came out.
"Yes", agreed Berwick. "We are so fortunate to have experienced it with Dad having forgotten Rex and Starbuck.
For dinner tonight Dad went to the Indian restaurant Zaika. Pablo and Lexton kept him company.
So, here we are at the end of our account of the holiday at Armathwaite Hall. We hope you enjoyed it
Love and Hugs
Fletcher & Polly
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