22 October 2023

Today we opted not to go to church, partly because it was difficult to find which one was holding services—and at what time. There are many small, ancient churches in the area, but most share a rector and hold services only once a month.

Besides, it was a gorgeous day, full of sunshine. A note about the weather: All I will say is that my many and fervent prayers were answered gloriously with our weather this week. Even the rain that fell came mostly at night, when we could hear it pelting against the windows and dripping from the eaves. It would hold off while we were out of doors, then rain while we were inside at lunch. We have been so, so grateful for this. In sunshine, the fells and lakes are glorious.

Ruth and I started the day by driving to Coniston Water—a long, narrow lake in the middle of the Lake District. The drive took us close to an hour, as we took the back roads that clung to the sides of the fells or twisted their way through small villages and hilltop farms, snaking along mossy stone walls and under trees of green and gold and amber. I wish we could have attached a camera to the car, so that others could see the varied and breath-taking beauty of this part of the world. 

We decided on a walk that mostly skirted the lake, so it was not a lot of climbing. We were rewarded with spectacular views of Coniston Water.









On the way back, we chose the southern route (a faster A road) and stopped for a hike up to the prehistoric stone circle that sits in a farmer’s field, with sweeping views over the fells and Irish Sea.







By the time we drove back home, it was close to 3:00 and we were starving. So we heated up some cheese and tomato tart from the Gosforth bakery and also devoured the last of Teresa’s amazing fruitcake, washed down with cups of tea. Ahhhhhh. That was enough driving for the day, so we took our tea and books out to the tiny back garden with far-reaching views of Scafell Peak and other Lakeland fells. Then hot chicken soup, sourdough bread, and fresh salad. What a wonderful end to the day. 







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