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A reasonable day for weather, not as bright as yesterday, still threatening rain, but good enough for a day out.

We picked an activity that everyone could do together, apart from the dogs who had to stay home this time.

They had an early walk and would have another later . . . in the meantime we're going boating.

Sifting through the list of wet weather options, we find ourselves in Keswick.

The kids have done walking , train rides, sightseeing, we can't fly, so boating seemed like a good idea.

Free parking was a bit limited so we dropped the others off at Hope Park and travelled round till we found space for our two cars.

On the way back we had chance to walk through the park, the golf course underused due to the early morning rain.

Happy Families . . . Gareth, Alexander, Rhian, Cathy, Ann and Luke in the pushchair.



One of the ornamental trees in Hope Park.	A sculptured red squirrel on top of an old tree trunk.

Hope Park is always beautifully kept and has a lot of colour at present.

We're going boating . . . but not on such a small scale . . .

We're down at the Boat Landings to hire a boat.

We could have bought a ticket for the launch to sail round the lake.

We could have taken a rowing boat . . . but they were a bit small for six and a toddler.

No . . . we've decided to hire an eight seater motor boat to take us out on the lake on a 'self-drive' basis.

The old boathouse is having a major refit after the floods of 2015 gave the building a hard time see video . . . (backspace to return)

	- - - o o o - - - At the Keswick Launch booking office we purchased our ticket which gave us access to the lake for about half the cost of the ferry. An hour would enable us to do a reasonable circuit of the islands and still be back in time for lunch. - - - o o o - - -

I was looking for a motor boat with a seagull on the back (outboard motor joke!) but the only seagull we found was on the post.

This photo intrigued me, there is something different about the island . . .

In checking the link for the 'previous time here' selection at the end, I noticed that the boathouse has been rebuilt in a more modern style.

We received life jackets from the staff and walk out to our boat on the outer jetty

Jack and Charlie (the son of one of our valley neighbours) gave us a brief introduction to the boat . . . and we were on our way.

Gareth takes the helm . . . Cathy takes the toddler.

Friar's Crag . . . viewed from the water for a change.

Full ahead on the engine achieved a gentle but reasonable speed . . . and we left the rowing boats and other craft behind.

Looking back at the boat landings and distant Skiddaw.

The new boat house at Lingholm, seen across the shallow rocks beyond Derwent Isle.

Causey Pike with the distinctive bumped outline and in front of it the bracken covered start of the climb up Catbells.

The other fells are Outerside and Barrow, with the climb to Hopegill Head in the distance.

Rhian obviously happy about something . . . or maybe it was a social comment about Gareth's driving ?

More seagulls and a cormorant on the Scarf Stones.

Walla Crag reflected in the calm waters of Derwent Water.

We keep clear of the Keswick Launch which is making good speed back to Keswick from Lodore.

Watch out for the bow wave which will shortly bounce our small craft.

Cathy has Luke in a safe place.

Hold your cursor over the picture to see how he reacted.

Having our own boat meant it was more sociable, and with the front screen protection it was warmer than on the open front deck of the ferry.

Rhian and Luke have the bow seats at present . . . but it wasn't necessary for everyone to stay put all the time.

Back seat drivers . . . Cathy, myself, Alexander and (on the move) Luke.

Cool dude with the shades . . . and Alexander.



The outline of Catbells to starboard . . .	. . . time for a change of helmsman.

The back seat line up has also changed . . . to include Ann.

A panorama of the view ahead . . . taken through the front window.

We'll soon be passing between Rampsholm island and St Herbert's Island . . . that's Castle Crag and Great End ahead.

The Lodore Hotel . . . with its new extension to the left.

Zooming in on Castle Crag and Great End as we start our turn, half way through the trip.

The view north along the length of Derwent Water.

Behind is the Skiddaw Range, from Ullock Pike on the left around to Lonscale on the right, seen here above Latrigg.



Brandlehow below and Hugh Walpole's Brackenburn above.	More houses on Brandlehow Bay, close to the jetty.

Another full launch passes us by on its way from Brandlehow to Hawes End.

I often do a summit panorama from on high . . . but here's one from the middle of the lake.

Click here or on the photo above for a 360 degree annotated panorama.

Old Brandlehow Jetty . . . repaired but no longer a stopping point for the launch I understand.

By the time we drew level with Hawes End the ferry had stopped, off-loaded passengers, taken on more and was under way again.

Derwent Bay . . . and historic home of the Derwent Bay Bears wood carving team.

[ The original company have moved some time back and the partners have also now split to form Derwent Bay Bears and Eden Valley Bears ]

A new addition to the landscape . . . The Boathouse at Lingholm . . . it's available for holiday let if you want, sleeps 2.

Another old house and another classic boathouse, this time Fawe Park House.

The interesting shoreline keeps our attention and we nearly missed this close view of the house on Derwent Isle

The property is owned by the National Trust and is open on selected days each year.

" The current house was built by Joseph Pocklington in the 18th century, he was something of an eccentric.

He also built a chapel and a small fort on the island, using the fort for mock battles during annual regattas on the lake."

A regatta of boats at the Nichol End and Derwent Water Marinas

I'm on the helm now . . . but who says I can't take pictures as well . . . multi-tasking !



Looking back at Causey Pike . . .	. . . looking forward to our destination.

All that remains is to bring the craft skillfully alongside without losing cool points for hitting the jetty !

[ Thanks to Charlie and Jack for their assistance during the hiring of the boat.]

- - - o o o - - -

	" Lunch at 57 " My parents old house was known as 57 and our choice of table number at the Theatre by the Lake Cafe was most auspicious.

- - - o o o - - -

Afterwards we walked back through Hope Park.

Away from the main path we used on the way down, we came across this lovely wild-flower flower bed.

Jealousy was obvious, all over my face . . . but we've picked up clues as to how to do it in our garden next year.

Luke was amazed at the colours of the geraniums and ran round and round the floral display.



Buddleia Flower and Peacock Butterflies on the "Butterfly Bush"	We opted to treat ourselves to an ice cream on our way to the cars.

- - - o o o - - -

The route to Brackenthwaite Hows . . .

On our return home,Cathy, Alexander and I took the four dogs out for a walk to Brackenthwaite Hows (Scale Hill).

Following our recent outing with the National Trust, their local representative has taken on board the local's ideas over signage

and placed very discrete, cost effective and suitable signposting for the route to the top from the main bridleway.

- - - o o o - - -

There was however a "sting in the tail" to this final walk of the holiday.

During the climb up we must have disturbed a wasps nest (one was discovered in a hole in the ground right on the path)

and we got physically attacked by a swarm of small wasps. To say they were vindictive would be an understatement.

Between the three of us and the four dogs (who received at least one sting each) we sustained about fifty wasp stings, some worse than others.

We reached open ground two hundred yards further on but they were still attacking us as we ran.

Fortunately we did not need professional assistance but the effects of the stings are still with us ten days later.

The nice man from the National Trust has offered to investigate as at least three families suffered a similar fate.

I've yet to hear the outcome of his investigations.

- - - o o o - - -


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