RIDE A WHITE SWAN

.....Ride a White Swan by T-Rex 1970.

I had a lovely day today.  Determined to go out, at least for a short walk.  Started off at 9.30, undecided by Buttermere and Mirewood Gardens on Bassenthwaite Lake.  We made the decision when arriving at Keswick in a heavy downpour to head for Mirehouse/Dodd Woods.

Were surprised to find the car park full and a lot of children around.  Apparently some schools are having yet another half term this week!!!!

Went into the The Old Sawmill Tea Rooms, for homemade cherry scone and coffee.  (I really must stop these things).  What a lovely place that is.  We decided we would just go round the grounds of Mirehouse.  WOW it's lovely.  

We did the lakeside walk, but the reverse way to the suggested map route - I always like to be a bit different!!  We had a short shower whilst there so sheltered under a tree - other than that there was cloud, sun and wind, but no more rain until on the way home.

Whilst at the lakeside we heard a flapping sound and turning saw these two swans in flight.  I had my wide angle lens on so could not get a zoom of them but I think you can make out they're swans, and the photos not too bad.

We then went on to St Bega's church.  It's a lovely little church, seems odd right out there by the lake but what a great location.  Saw the first line of this poem on a plaque on our walk today.  
The wind, that beats the mountain, blows 
More softly round the open wold, 
And gently comes the world to those 
That are cast in gentle mould. 
By Alfred Lord Tennyson

On the way through the beautiful woods, with rhododendruns now almost past their best we came across The Bee Garden - FABULOUS.  So many bumble bees and beautiful flowers.   

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves there.  We went back to the Old Sawmill for a light lunch.  We've decided we'll be back sometime to take a walk up into Dodd Woods but I'm not sure how much of a climb it is, but it looks doable for us.

We then headed up the road to do a circular of Bassenthwaite Lake.  I stopped at the usual place on the A66 to take some photos, which look more like winter ones that early summer!!  

Then a drive down through the South Lakes and home.

I am entering this both wild Wednesday (photos were taken using my wide angle lens), thanks to Steveng for hosting -  and also for Wide Wednesday.  Wide Wednesday has a historical theme, this sort of does that at Mirehouse is a historical house, thanks to Cailleach for hosting.

Hope you've all had a lovely day too.  See you all tomorrow.