Enjoyed our usual Spring Break in the Lakes, despite less-than-ideal weather. Most of the time it was pretty grey and overcast, but at least we avoided rain until the Friday.

Grasmere lake
Weds 14 March
Off to a bad start when, after leaving home at 8:30 with the expectaion of a Little Chef breakfast in Middlewich, we arrived there to find it has closed down. Consequently had to settle for an underwhelming and over-priced fry-up at the Knutsford Motorway Services.
Pressed on to Windermere, where we had the obligatory browse round the Lakeland store, followed by nice coffee and cake in the restaurant upstairs. Wandered once round the town, where nothing much appears to have changed.
Being too early to go straight to the hotel, decided to make use of our newly resurrected National Trust membership, with a visit to Townend House. Very interesting place. Thence on up into the clouds, to the Kirkstone Inn for a pleasant pint by an open fire.
Down via The Struggle to Ambleside and so to Grasmere, where The Swan was a welcoming and pleasant as ever. I was sure I’d booked the Four Poster room, but we were given 27, another feature room, which seemed quite acceptable.
Strolled down to the village for a look round; no significant change that we noticed. Back to the hotel for a snooze.
Nice meal in the restaurant. For me: haggis neeps & tatties, followed by guine fowl, with lemon cheesecake to finish. For JL: fishcake, then mushroom ravioli, and autumn fruits mess.
Thurs 15th
Walked round the lake in the morning.
Drove to Keswick, taking the road round the west side of Thirlmere. Mooched around the town, having a look in George Fisher, of course. Very sad to find that Cornerwise whisky shop was having a closing down sale: learned from the guy in charge of the sell-off that Mary died of cancer 22nd December — end of an era (30 years, apparently).
Back to Grasmere for afternoon tea at the garden centre.
Another nice meal; restaurant quiet (service too slow, pudding wise).Both had the smoked haddock scotch egg starter, then chicken and ribeye steak, and both finished with the mess.
Friday 16th
Woke to find rain overnight and more in prospect, so abandoned plan to do a walk near Tarn Hows and instead made for Penrith. Weather not too bad by the time we got there, so were able to explore the town. Chief find was an interesting food shop:

James & John Graham, Family Grocers
And so finally back to Garstang, calling in on Sylvia in Kendal for a short visit.