Wet, snowy walk from Near Sawrey

The forecast today was for a wet day with snow at higher levels. The forecast was right but as we had the right clothes we were content to walk anyway.

Susan has been keen to visit Beatrix Potter's home at Hill Top in Near Sawrey on the other side of Windermere from where we are staying. So we walked down to the Hawkeshead Ferry, crossed the lake in the rain and snow and walked briskly up the hill to Hill Top with the precipitation turning more and more to snow.

Hill Top was left just as it was Miss Potter died. No interpretation in the rooms and only six or so rooms to see. We had to dry each other down with a towel as we entered to remove as much of the wetness as we could. But seeing the house gives you an appreciation that Beatrix was more than just an author and illustrator of cute children's books. She became a true Lakeland resident, concerned for the environment and its traditions and way of life. She was a champion shepherd, breeding Herdwick sheep. The profits from her book enabled her to buy several farms hereabouts, land that eventually became part of the National Trust.

It was this part of her life that struck a chord to me and changed the way I thought about her. It was a shame then, that the film of her life: Miss Potter, stopped as she moved to the Lakes having concentrated on her younger life, her writing and drawing and romance with her publisher. There must be another film to be made...

Before the walk back to the ferry we stopped at the Sawrey Hotel for coffee and scone. Sad to say this was probably the worst scone experience ever. The scone was tiny and had been microwaved to within an inch of its life to warm it up, so much so that it had the consistency of suet pudding. Susan's coffee was lukewarm, even when it came back it was little better.

Despite the weather we enjoyed the day, impervious to the elements and learned a little about a very influential lady.