The Lake Dist.

Mikes "Beef & Ale Pie"
Us at the not so art deco hotel
The "Happy as a Clam" artists

people laughing on a bench
what happens when you say "no more food" to a swan
just the four of us
Cheers! dinnertime

Dave and Mike
Am I stylin' or what?
Nora & Carol
Me & Dave & the lake


Dave says "okay" to a cold pork pie




The next morning the four us (Mike, Carol, David and I) of headed out for the Lake District. Dave and I really didn’t know what to expect – so we left our day in the capable hands of Mike and Carol. We stopped several times in charming little towns – tea towels, honey, chocolates, butterfly nets, jewelry – anything you could possibly want to either look at or buy – these little towns have a knack of supplying just what you desire. There are old stone buildings covered in climbing ivy, pubs, bakeries, and butcher shops – where Mike coaxed Dave into trying a pork pie. Dave was cold and looking forward to eating a hot meat pie – Surprise! It was cold pork that had been cooked and encased in some sort of gelatin then baked into a crust – Dave was a little disappointed but ate with gusto. I being a vegetarian (luckily) had a chance to go into a bakery for a whole wheat roll – even though Dave ate most of his cold pork pie – he saved some of it to feed to the swans and ducks farther on down the road. Our next stop was Oaks Café on the Lake – we ordered hot tea and tea cakes – which tasted like hamburger buns with raisins and dates, sliced and toasted with butter on them – yummy – it was chilly and these tasted wonderful. We wandered down the lake and saw ducks and swans – have you ever seen a swan in real life? They are scary huge! When they stand up and extend their neck they can peck you on the neck – very intimidating to me – Dave was feeding them but apparently not quick enough because they peaked at his elbow! There were docks with cool sailboats made and unpainted wood, just varnished, I loved these boats. We stopped in the town of Windermere for over an hour trying to not get pecked by swans and soaking up the scenery. It is so different than what we are accustomed to at home – Pubs with cool names like: “The Kings Arm” and “The Albert” – who are these people? We bought some clotted cream fudge – but only a small portion because it is like TNT – very dangerous!
We stopped in small town after small town all in the Lake District – our last stop was a charming little town where Mike and Carol had stayed before – Ah yes, The Ivy House Hotel – confessing that a child of theirs might have been conceived there. Ohhh do kiss and tell! The town was everything you would want a small English town to be – complete with a pub called “The Red Lion Inn” and that is where we had dinner. Carol and I had wine and the guys had a pint of beer – Mike, being the driver limited himself to just one pint – I don’t think I can make the same claim for David. Mike ordered Steak and Hawkshead ale pie, meat topped with a pastry crust - served with chips (French fries) cooked corn, carrots and green beans (the menu said it was – beef marinated in Hawkshead ale and cooked to perfection) The rest of us has Fish and Chips with mushy peas. I don’t mean overcooked peas – I mean that once the peas are cooked they are mashed – and they are superb! Not just because they stay on your fork, but the flavor is enhanced with some spices and butter – really “cracker” which means fantastic!
After dinner Mike wanted to go to a hotel that had been restored to its original art deco design. When we got there it was quite impressive from the outside – The Midland Hotel – a rounded entryway welcomed us. Once inside, we all had a drink at the bar, then nosed around and took many photos. Mike and others patrons he talked to were a bit disappointed that the art deco theme wasn’t as elaborate as they had hoped – but we enjoyed our time anyway. There was an competition for artists to make a “beach cabana getaway” One of the top winning entries was there outside of hotel in the back facing the ocean. It was a lovely clam, clad in copper with enough room inside for people to sit. We sat inside with (believe it or not) the artist who designed it and two of the team members who constructed it. The sun was still out at 10:30pm – we sat there chatting as the sun set and the wind became cool. It was a delight to meet the woman who conceived this clam idea and brought it to fruition. Can you say “Happy as a Clam?” well we all were – happy and sitting in a clam and enjoying each other’s company immensely. What a “cracker” ending for our day. Mike and Carol were gracious in showing us around their country in British style and we are truly grateful. What else can I tell you about Lancaster? That the farmers market had flat beans I had never seen or cooked with before? That the castle tour was actually an old prison? or that we saw gypsy wagons by the roadside? All of this would be true – but I must leave something interesting to tell you about when I get home now, don’t I?

Cheers!