Day 9- Baa, Moo, OINK.

Don't mean to whine, but I'm kinda' sick of "bacon"-- a la ham. It seems to be in everything. We even left a pizza place tonight though they had my usual fave kind, ham and pineapple. I just couldn't stomach either... Ken thought I was crazy to want the tradish "fish and chips" from the town fave place, wrapped in paper to go. But even though I'm pretty sick of fries ("chips") too-- it was tonight's fare. We ate on a bench in the garden close to the lake and now we're chillaxing with our laundry drying all around us. But alas, how about the rest of today?

It started with another English breakfast (ham!), of course. I forgot to mention yesterday's "Traditional Scottish Porridge." Aye! Thar be some salt in them thar oats! But anyway, we set out for a hike after breakfast because we wanted to see the Castlerigg Stone Circle. Let's just say it was a bit longer and harder than we thought it would be... we did fine (no hip or sun issues!), but the rough terrain ruined my super soft-soled tennies! :( They've been so perfect for city tromping-- not so for a semi-rugged walk on a rocky road. Oh well... thankfully Keswick is full of hiking shops and even a tiny New Balance Factory Outlet-- scored
some 1/2 price new (ugly) shoes this evening for the rest of the trip.

We really did enjoy this walk/hike-- gorgeous countryside through farms and fields right along side the sheep and cows, a babbling brook, gorgeous hills and those weird stones. Wowser. We got lost a little bit, but eventually found our way, even with the little walking guidebook provided by our host. So quaint.
Here's a short sample of one part of the description for today's walk:
"Directly across the road is a paired five bar gate and kissing gate next to which is a metal signpost indicating that the trackway leading form these gates leas to Wall Crag. The right of way follows the right hand edge of the first three fields you enter. At the end of the third the route takes a sharp right hand turn and follows a sunken trackway that eventually comes to another country lane." Ok, thanks.

We found a little cafe towards the end of the trail for a much needed latte and loo! Then walked through the little village and heard once again, the voices of children... But of course. It's a little church Saturday festival. St John's Church of Keswick-- worth a pound to get in, and delightfully very few pounds for a light lunch and more treats. Priceless was meeting and visiting with a sweet couple from a nearby town called Whitehaven who had come in for the festival. We didn't even get their names, but had a great time chatting with them (posted their pic on my FB wall).

After we explored around the church a bit, we shopped the town (for shoes!) and then returned to our room for showers and rest. Oh, left out our successful trip to the launderette-- thus the clothes drying all around us! But so far we've really had what we needed and though we're at that mid-trip run-down tired place (a la exactly at the half-way point!), I'm sure we'll pick up. Rest is an important part of a vacay too, right? Enjoy some photos of our lovely Lake District Day! Tomorrow we head to the little coastal town of Conwy, Wales. Gotta' do a little planning yet this evening. Hoping to see Beatrix Potter land and Wordsworth country (Dove Cottage) in the South Lake Dist. Hard to believe tomorrow is another Sunday... praying all goes well back home!