On the way - first day

From North Hampshire to Skye is quite a wee stretch, so we decided to take it easily, enjoying the journey as well as the destination.  After a start in horrid rain, once we got well past the conurbations, we arrived in the mountains: the Lake District.  Our first stop was at the Castlerigg Stone Circle.

The weather was now sunny with threatened showers, which made the light variable, but the clouds beautiful.  I love the way the trees without their leaves yet shine white in such light.

I think of Cumbria as the beginning of 'stone country' when we go North to Scotland.  Dry stone walls are made with the attractive grey stones, and even stiles in many places are ingeniously included.

Stones are also used as gate posts and entrance markers.

After spending some time there we went to nearby Keswick to look at an exhibition of Percy Kelly's work which was on exhibition at the Theatre by the Lake.  (See also the link to the exhibition by clicking on the Percy Kelly image on my pinboard.)  And after a refreshing pot of tea for two we strolled down to the lake itself: Derwentwater.

We continued on our journey, taking minor roads rather than the motorway from now.  We had a meal in Cockermouth, which has suffered with horrific floods in recent years, and then on to bed in Carlisle.  The end of a lovely day, and we already felt well into holiday mood.