Seems such a long time since my visit to a Lake Windermere. Now all that remains of the breathtaking lake to me, are photos and a chill that turned into a chill upon a chill, and I don't mean-chilled. Mind you though I am snuffling and coughing, as we are venturing into the season of colds and flu, the pictures of my short break remind me how lovely it was. Even though it was overcast and rainy a lot of the time, these photos taken by my phone haven't come out too bad.

Here I am trying to get enthusiastic about the steam train, though I have to say I enjoyed it. A cruise on Lake Windermere, then a steam train ride; and then I got to do it all back again-not much walking done that day.

Swans are so bossy! The bullies of the lake. I was amazed at how tame they were, and how they had perfected the art of begging. I however kept a respectful distance, those beaks and wings can be fierce. I was alarmed though at how trusting of us humans they had become...

It made me smile though that they are not nearly as graceful waddling along on land, as when they are gliding on water. 

Waiting for the ferry.

  .Dramatic sky, and lush green.    

This picture fails to show how impressively, beautiful the view was from the ferry. It put me in mind of the soft green of crushed velvet fabric. Against purple bracken, and odd patches of grey granite peeping through.

The mountain bedecked in her best dress, the softer green as it merged into the water, a devore slipper daintily, dipped into the waters edge.

A powder puff of an island.

I am feeling the same way today, happy and excited but I realise I may sound as though I am having an extreme, emotional moment. I was asked why so gay? and asked without the slightest intonation of camp! No one said, 'oh what a gay day' or teased me in an old fashioned way.

But a feeling of gaiety is usually the cause of something.

So I have to admit I do have a reason for my wonderful mood. I am to venture, or embark on an adventure to the Lakes. Now the rain cannot spoil my mood, nor can it take any of the edge from what it will be. It's a place I have never seen, and even the Lakes in rain shrouded weather, will I dare say have its own beauty. But if that isn't enough.

I am staying in a delightful looking, small B&B with a huge four poster bed, and a two-person spa bath. So my eyes are twinkling, my heart skips a dizzy beat, and my feet ache to tread where poets and writers have tread before me. And after that, I long to stretch out upon the huge bed and just chill.

Today I am feeling in a gay mood. I say this tongue in cheek, for I am in no way way feeling sexual desire to those of the same sex as myself. But with a lightness of spirit, or a carefree and abandoned manner of thought.

I am feeling lighthearted and can almost feel myself filling with a sense of exhilaration.  Good thoughts flow through my mind- and no I can honestly say alcohol hasn't passed my lips. It's just a good, happy and gay day...

Unconstrained, airy, vivacious, and to top them all off- a good old dose of frolicsomeness. The rain hasn't drowned my good mood, I can almost picture myself in a land of serenity. Happy, I see myself in a place of nature, and a place to be above all at peace. Life is good as well as gay today...