23 October 2023

Our last full day in the Lake District, so we explored Nether Wasdale more thoroughly that morning as a setting for part of the story I’m working on. It’s an old village, very small (hardly more than a dozen houses), with two inns because of its proximity to Wast Water—a long lake surrounded by brooding fells. 

The remains of an ancient well, restored in the 1800s.

I’m leaning toward making this the vacation cottage in my story.

A number of walking paths branch out of the village, so we took one that meandered through forest and meadow and eventually along a large creek. My main character will walk this path.

Those trees are enormous. The little speck of dark blue is Ruth, 

standing next to one.

Another option for the vacation cottage.

A productive morning—and again, no rain! After lunch we drove up to Ennerdale Water, using the back roads—a longer drive than we’d thought, taking almost an hour, but the scenery along the road was as usual worth the trip. The lake is surrounded by fells, like Wast Water, but less dramatic. We chose a dirt road that ran level with the lake, hugging its sides, lined by mossy stone walls. There wasn’t time to do the complete loop, but we did branch off on a side trail for a short way. Spectacular views all around:

For our last evening, Ruth made a comforting fire, which we enjoyed after supper and a hot bath. Our last night at Rose’s Cottage. Tomorrow would be packing, cleaning, driving…but for a few hours in the cozy sitting room we could forget all that and simply be.