Showing posts with label Herdwick Sheep. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Herdwick Sheep. Show all posts

Monday, July 30, 2018

Townend and Troutbeck Valley




Today I'd like to take you to Troutbeck Valley in the Lake District.  When we traveled to England in 2015 we visited this special spot and wanted to return on our Golden Anniversary trip in the fall of 2017.  The valley is home to many special farms and lovely scenic views and one special farmhouse of the Brownes called Townend.  If you want to read about our visit then you can go Here.  


The weather was very similar this visit as was our weather last visit.  The incredible silence in this area is noteworthy.


As we take our turn we are transported to a special place in time.  We are early and have to wait for the car park gate to open.  





The views are just spectacular as we drink in the beauty of the morning. 



I decided to get out of the car and do a little visiting with our friends just beyond the fence.



Scenery like this is to be enjoyed for a long time in my mind's eye.





This little darling looked me straight in the eye and smiled!  





Now that the car park gate has opened we decide to walk on over to visit Townend.  The stone bank barn on the right is extraordinary. 



This barn was built in 1666 by George Browne.  It has extensions that were added in the 18th century.  This barn is still used today for lambing and storing feed for the livestock.






The views over the bank barn show the definition of the stone walls marking the fields.  Oh England, I adore your green pastures!



We reach the bottom and find the lovely garden waiting for us to view. 



Fuchsia grows like shrubbery in the Lake District!  I'm amazed as I'm lucky to grow a basket of this lovely plant.  It appears to be perennial here which I find interesting.



The early fall garden is still blooming.





Troutbeck Valley was a favorite of Beatrix Potter.  She knew the Brownes and visited often.  She owned a farm nearby where she raised her prize winning Herdwick Sheep.





It's time for us to take our tour of the home.  Come inside and do watch your step.  This 400 year old home is quite dark inside.  My photos had to be without flash.





The National Trust takes care of this property and only allows a certain number of guests in at a time.  We have our peg (clothes pin) and are called in for a visit.



There is a table that is spread with goodies that would have been served to guests.



All of the furnishing were carved by George Browne.  Even though they were a simple farming family, Mr. Browne wished to impress his guests.  The family collections are featured which span 400 years!





The ceiling boasts beautiful old cast iron pieces. 



The guide took us upstairs to the very small bedrooms.








As we go downstairs we view a much fancier furnished bedroom.












Off from the parlor was a long table set for a very fancy meal.




There is an extensive library collection at Townend.  A total of 1748 titles are present.  Some dating to the 1600's.  



The beam in the main part of the house has been replaced since our last visit.  The National Trust raised funds to have this replaced.  Thanks to the National Trust, Townend will still be able to greet visitors.





This is George Browne X (1834-1914).  He is responsible for having preserved the many pieces we have viewed.






After leaving Townend we decided to walk over to Annie's Clock.  We had eaten here on our last visit.  It had changed owners since then, but we still had an enjoyable meal.



Next we are off to visit an ancient spot to the north.  I hope you will join us as we show you the window to our trip! ♥

















Tuesday, March 27, 2018

The Beatrix Potter Gallery



Today I'd like for you to go with us to a most special gallery in Hawkshead, England.  Beatrix Potter's first visit was noted in her journal:

"Went to Hawkshead.  Had a series of adventures, asked the way three times, lost continually, alarmed by collies at every farm, stuck in stiles, chased once by cows. "
Journal entry for August 19, 1882

My journal entry for our visit there last fall is a little different, but I can see how all of those adventures happened to Beatrix!

  
Riding in the English countryside it's always nice to have a car in front of us.  


It's kind of like a guiding light for us folks that are not used to driving on the left.


The golden leaves made a lovely tunnel to drive through.


Sheep grazing and soaking up the beautiful fall sunshine.


Hawkshead is a lovely little village that has dealt in wool trading since the early seventeenth century.  Having shops and banks and inns it was here that William Heelis had his law office.  Beatrix used his services to purchase some of her properties.  Of course, you know he later married Beatrix Potter.

Beatrix Potter Gallery in former law office of William Heelis

You may recognize many places around Hawkshead as it inspired Beatrix to use in her little books about the adventures of Peter Rabbit and friends.  Hawkshead has changed very little since Miss Potter visited this area.




Going inside of the gallery we are greeted by a lovely fire.  This gallery is run by the National Trust.  I can't say enough about the wonderful job they do taking care of so many properties.




Mandy Marshall's lovely Herdwick products are sold in the gallery.  She is hosting along with Susan Branch a picnic in May at her home, Castle Cottage.  I know some of you lucky souls are going to this event.  Castle Cottage was the home of Beatrix Potter and William Heelis.


I'll be sharing photos later about Hilltop and Castle Cottage.  We can't possibly come to the Lake District without visiting there!


The gallery is full of original works of art by the amazing Beatrix Potter. 





After looking at Beatrix Potter's lovely work we walked around Hawkshead and had a lovely lunch.


I hope you can find something you will enjoy for lunch.


Grayden had the chicken, brie and cranberry panini.



And I had the Coronation chicken salad.  Delicious!



Great thought above our table!


Walking around town we continued to see beautiful flowers.  Aren't these baskets lovely against the white?




We enjoyed walking the same streets as Miss Potter and her future husband, William Heelis.  Come with us next time as we continue our Golden Anniversary trip in Britain. ♥