Day 12 – Kentmere to Far Sawrey

11 miles (via Dubbs Reservoir, Windermere, Bowness)

It rained all night. It rained during breakfast and when I said goodbye.

Before climbing the very pleasant Garburn Pass, I take time to visit a delightful old manor house, Kentmere Hall.

Privately owned and now a farmhouse, the 14th century tower still has original features and can easily be seen from a footpath.

Day walkers

Just over a mile the Pass tops out and becomes Garburn Road. The wide track giving fantastic views of the Troutbeck valley.

Descending now with the sun out, day walkers drift pass me. I can hear cars, dogs, people shouting.

On reaching Lake Windermere, I follow the footpaths until they are no more, then hit pavement.

No vacancies

At Bowness I dive into a local boozer to avoid the throng. The feeling of space and freedom has evaporated. I'm not happy here. Drinking up, the ferry beckons me.

Although the ride is only minutes long, the other side of the lake is heaven. Peace and tranquil, a different world.

Being low and surrounded by farmland I decide on a B&B. No vacancies the signs shout. Until the Sawrey Hotel.

Little sad

£60 quid! How about £30? Done! I like to haggle for a bargain.

Over dinner I contemplate the trip. It's been fun, a real craic.

Tomorrow's my last day. I feel a little sad.

Glorious Troutbeck.

Windermere steamer.