After 3 changes on the Northern Railroad, we made it to our most northern point in England and our last stop. There is a chill to the air and I hear sheep in the distance. It is noticeably calmer, more serene. In the old days, 300 years ago, Windermere focus in order: Farming, mining, tourism. Now the industry is tourism, farming, and one mine left, mining slate.
Interestingly, in 1945, Windermere welcomed 300 child holocaust refugees into their community. The children were to spend a period of recuperation in the Lake district before settling into their new lives.
Windermere is adorable, mountain feel full of essential shops: pet store, ice cream, & candy store! While the Cotswolds are known for their quaint villages, the Lake District is known for its picturesque hiking trails around the lakes. Hikers with their worn hiking boots, walking sticks and daypacks walk the streets. All around the Lake District, one can spot a sheep and or a hiker. The ice cream is special because it comes from the local Hereford sheep that doesn’t produce a lot of milk making it richer. 
During a sunset, walk around the hotel just outside of town there is a maze of public pathways surrounded by rock walls and rod iron gates into private property. The neighborhood is quite posh with mansions and fancy cars in the driveway. Exterior walls of buildings & homes to roofs & walls all made of slate, mined in the area. Tourism has replaced mining.
British born Beatrix Potter was one of the first successful female writers who not only wrote & illustrated (the first) children’s books but also contributed to the preservation of public lands around the Lake District and became a renowned farmer. She started drawing little animals, especially rabbits, foxes, mice and later published the wildly popular Peter Rabbit. Early on, she learned about conservation from a vicar and purchased land to donate to National Park. She retired as a farmer repeatedly winning first place for sheep contest.
Potter spearheaded conservation of the local Herdwick sheep. Herdwick sheep were nearing extinction because it was bred for meat, not wool and only breeds 1 calf. They are a hearty sheep that stays out in the snow, leaning against the rock wall to breathe thru the cracks. It will always find its way home.
British born William Wordsworth was the most famous poet in England who heralded in the Romantic age of poetry. He was born in Cockermouth but lived in Grassmere, Lake District overlooking the lake, being surrounded with nature.
He wrote the quintessential poem set upon daffodils. When his daughter died prematurely he planted hundreds of daffodils that bloom every year. In later life, Wordsworth achieved popularity selling & publishing his poems. He was an inspirational poet, writing about common places, in common language, a defender of right & wrong, aligned with the common man. He was against tourism, rallied against the steam train polluting the English Lake District. He would be turning over in his grave for how many tourist visit his gravesite.
Biggest microbreweries in the Lake District because of the rain and sweet water. The Windermere Brewery Co. names all the beer from dog breeds, twisting names like Dogth Vader.
Mountain Goat Tour: Ten Lakes Spectacular
Westmorland granite mine is a tourist attraction. It is not a stone but a result of volcanic ash & lava. Capable of splitting, originally used for roofing.
Full day Tour covers 90 miles visiting lakes, villages and National Forest and even still, we only saw 20% of the Lake District. Professional guide Duncan narrated entire day, sharing stories and history.
3000 BC, considered older than Stonehenge. Nothing known about this site. Last night in Windermere, got sick, vomited into the night. Managed to get to London and ready to go home tomorrow!
Windsor castle is the home of kings and queens for centuries. Also St George’s church is nextdoor, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married. I was allowed admittance for services only, no touring, so I enjoyed a 30 minute sermon.
The church is divided in half, making the ceremony more intimate. I comfortably sat where royalty sat, to watch the sermon. The church is also site of tombs and memorials. King George VI (Kings speech), Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother) and Princess Margaret (QEll sister) are interred in a memorial chapel. The coffin of Henry VIII is also buried here.
The state rooms were posh, high painted ceilings, and expansive Turkish rugs. The countryside was lovely, green pastures, Thanes meandering with swans swimming.
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