Keswick and Derwentwater

The Lake District on Saturday was good. Unexpectedly so. The forecast was 21C and sunny so I didn't bother with a jacket. By the Yorkshire borders I was regretting this stupid oversight as it was raining! Cumbria wasn't looking much better. My day out began in the market in Keswick, which was heaving despite a steady mizzle and low lying clouds.

In the market I saw a couple of sheepish stalls.

{These shirts can be found here}

{As this stall was unmanned when I popped in, I don't have their details but if interested find the bags here, here and here.}

After the market, I wandered through town on my way to the lake. Although it was warm enough that I was comfortable without a jacket, it was still undeniably grey out.

{Derwentwater on an overcast morning}

So I decided to while away time indoors and headed to The Pencil Museum. Though enjoyable enough, this isn't somewhere I'd readily recommend. It is a worthwhile way to spend half an hour or so if in the area but being a stationery buff, I expected a thorough and proper history of the humble pencil. What I got equates to a history of Derwent Pencils, a local pencil manufacturer. 

It was still cloudy after the museum so I explored the town some more.

On my way, I found a knitting shop. 

This turned out to be one of those stuffed full of different crafts and was on the untidy side but the lady behind the counter was pleasant enough. A couple of doors away was a cafe which also sold knitting needles, yarn and kits. I had a quick look in (it's only a tiddly place) then took myself to lunch. After lunch the sun was shining bright (yay!), so off to Derwentwater I wandered.

Now, I REALLY enjoy boating even though I don't particularly care for rowing. That afternoon the water looked decidedly choppy but I wanted to be out on it nonetheless. I honestly didn't think I would get very far (and back) on my own especially since I was informed by Todd (the boat hire guy) that they do not operate a "stranded boat rescue service". Thus began my search for a shipmate. It didn't take me long to spot a man alone on a bench, reading. He looked sane enough (as these things go) and clean enough so I approached with caution. I sat beside him, peering discretely at the book he read (one gory word and I'd've been off), but there were no gory words that I could make out - the book wasn't English. Hmmm, what the hell, I spoke up anyway. 

Me: hello, are you waiting for someone?

Him: no, I am just enjoying the sun and my book.

Me: I'd like to get a row boat but don't feel too confident about rowing out and back. Would you fancy joining me and rowing my boat for a bit?

Him: I'd love to, the water looks very nice.

Me: YES! Let's go get us a boat! :)

On our way to the little hut to pay for a boat, Francesco (that's his name) introduced himself. I also  learnt that he's Italian and had recently given up a job as a naval engineer to work as a mechanical engineer in Newcastle. He was/is sailor! I seriously doubt I could have picked a better shipmate. 

The only awkwardness arose when he wouldn't accept my half of the boat fee, otherwise it was a lovely hour spent with a perfect stranger on a beautiful lake.

{Derwentwater boat landings}