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(Monday)

One of my favourite places is Scarborough. Just back from a week there, I rediscovered my love of the seaside, and reminded myself of parts of it that I had forgotten.

The photos are from my phone so not the best quality, but they captured the places I have enjoyed for many years.

Here I am in front of the clock-tower on the south side. The sun was shining but not too much, though the wind played havoc with my hair. It was nearly a perfect day. It felt like I was sitting on top of the world, looking down onto the nearly empty part of Scarborough that most don’t know is there.

Back to Windermere again, or Bowness on Windermere, the place you go through to get to the lake. It took 10 mins to get to the village, then if you could get past the shops without temptation dragging you into them, another 10 mins took you to the lake. We didn't find this footpath until the last day. It took you through a small wood. One side you could walk through-the other private property. It was very idyllic and didn't hurt your purse at all. I took the sunflower plant because I love them, it looked like it was in training to be a triffid. The cottage was at the end of the footpath, it was gorgeous. Oh to win the lottery!

Still smiling in spite of the rain and drizzle that was my constant companion. Thank heavens for my walking coat. And ponytail was the hairdo of the day, and evening.

The wood was magical, and not too slippy, I risked all stood at the edge of the stream. It was a drop down, that would have made a terrific photo, but my trusty boots stayed firmly on the edge.

I was on the lookout for bears, but obviously the picnic had been rearranged for a day when it didn't rain...

Occasionally the sun shone through gaps in the trees and made everything magical.

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 couldn't resist putting this onto my space. It has me absolutely tickled, I would one day love to travel to Kenya, but now I especially want to stay at Giraffe Manor. How did a manor house that looks like it should be gracing the lands of England, manage to find its way to Kenya. I just had to share it, as far as unusual hotels go, this is one of the best. I think I would rather wake up to find these guests sticking their heads into my bedroom though, than a lion or two :)

There are more pics at the website http://www.giraffemanor.com/

And I thought my Elle magazine was all about fashion :) This was in Octobers issue.