After being woken by all of the birds in Lancaster at around 4am, we eventually got up just after 7 and went to the pub next door for breakfast. We didn’t feel hopeful when we saw the sign on the door advising that the kitchen was closed for maintenance.This chain of hotels has a good value breakfast but fortunately there was another Wetherspoon hotel about 5 mins down the main street (pedestrian street). We had paid the car park fee until 11:30 this morning, so we had time to do whatever we needed. We walked around a bit in the rain, then Gary went back to the hotel (checkout was by noon) to do further battle with his iphone, which turned out to be locked to his corporate sim card and wouldn’t accept his new personal sim card. He needed wifi and Rick & Gill’s netbook with itunes to plug his phone into to unlock it. He got part way after a lengthy process, using wifi from the pub next door. We’ve stopped for the night and he is continuing the frustrating process. While walking around, Gill found a salon and was able to have her nails done. Rick was left on his own, went exploring and discovered the Lancaster Castle. Owned by The Duchy of Lancaster (Her Majesty the Queen is the Duke of Lancaster), Lancaster Castle is a medieval castle in Lancaster in the English county of Lancashire. Its early history is unclear, but may have been founded in the 11th century on the site of a Roman fort. Until 2011, it was used as HM Prison.
There was a National Trust Castle near Kendal, Sizergh Castle. Part is still lived in, but most was open for viewing. There was also a very impressive garden, but it was raining too much to spend much time outside.
We drove on to Ambleside in the Lakes District, rain most of the way. There was very little accommodation available and it was very expensive. We could tell that even before we stopped because it is a very attractive town beside Lake Windermere. We passed Glen Rothay, a beautiful B&B and 17th century inn, turned back and made enquiries. The receptionist knocked off £10 per room and we booked in for the night so here we are. Gary & Jan very kindly offered us the better room, top right in the photo, with a balcony. Wordsworth lived next door.
Hope to see the badger feeding tonight at dusk.
