Sea Breeze II on Lake Windermere

As usual we decided to make a full day of it in the Lakes before heading south. Breakfast today was at Sainsbury's in Morecambe before heading up to Newby Bridge and Lakeside for a walk along the western shore of Lake Windermere. We've walked pretty much the northern section of this side of the lake so wanted to walk the southern section between Ferry Landing and Newby Bridge. In the end we didn't have time to catch the steamer to Bowness and walk back so we did an out and back walk along the lake.

Not the best of days, with low cloud and a brisk breeze with a smattering of rain in the wind. Never mind, this is the Lake District after all. Plenty of boats on the lake including Sea Breeze II which I thought was a lovely boat, the sort I'd love to own. We saw another boat moored on the banks - a Cornish Shrimper class, whixch was also another lovely looking boat. Looked much like a Winkle Brig class which we'd seen in May. Any of these 3 would be very welcome.

After the walk we made our way to Kirkby Londsdale for what is fast becoming an end of visit tradition - a tea at the Lune Valley Bakery. Great food and great prices setting us up for the long drive home. We left Kirkby at around 5.30pm arriving back in Maidstone at about 11.15. A good journey until we got to the Dartford Crossing were we were delayed for over 40 minutes as 5 lanes of traffic came down to one to cross the carriageway to go through the tunnel instead of going over the bridge.

It was carnage and I can't understand why it is allowed to happen. Surely the traffic could have been managed better? If I had known of the problem I would have gone down the M11 and through the Blackwall Tunnel but the traffic signs only told of the delays at the Dartford Tunnel after the M11 turn off! Utter madness.