Wednesday 14 June 2023

Another day in the Lakes District. Checking out the scenery with a stop in Windermere to check out the World of Beatrix Potter attraction and then to Derwent Pencil Museum. Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago. A journey of graphite and pencil discovery from its humble beginnings as a cottage industry to modern day production.

Then onto Penrith which seems very busy traffic wise. Rayls got to go to her first quilt shop for this trip.

Back to the hotel for a much needed rest.

Tuesday 13 June 2023

A short drive back into England and the Lakes District. A beautiful area with very narrow roads and incredible scenery.

We checked out Hill Top. Beatrix Potter bought Hill Top in 1905 with the royalties from her first few books, written at her parents home in London, but inspired by her annual holiday visits to the Lake District. She visited as often as she could, but never for more than a few days at a time, sketching the house, garden, countryside and animals for her new books. This was a big bucket list item for Rayls.

We didn't last long and were in our hotel fairly early for a needed rest.