How would you like to take a ride on a Steam Yacht Gondola? Staying in the Lake District we have enjoyed looking at the beautiful lakes that surround this lovely area. But today we want to take you on the water. The Victorians enjoyed this mode of transportation as an outing or as a means of getting around Coniston Lake. This gondola is like the ones in Venice, but much larger.
Riding over to catch the gondola the clouds start to roll into the valley.
Grayden is happy to see the hedgerows have been clipped or they've been trimmed by motorists!
We reach the lake and get our tickets to board the Gondola. This sign reminds us that the Lake District was recently proclaimed a World Heritage Status! It certainly deserves it!
This is a big deal. This means the area has been selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to be of value and is legally protected by international treaties for the enjoyment of humanity.
Here is the Steam Yacht Gondola. Her design is based on a Venetian "Burchiello". She glides silently through the water, with Sid the golden sea serpent at the bow as her figurehead. The National Trust rebuilt the vessel from an 1860 Gondola.
Boarding the gondola we are quite surprised as we step on board and see the inside!
It's quite fancy with leather seats and cozy blankets and if ordered ahead, a picnic hamper! You can ride inside and wander all about the gondola on the journey if you wish.
In the second cabin the upholstery is a pretty tufted fabric. As you can see it's quite large inside.
The engine of course is powered by steam. Grayden really enjoyed speaking with the gentlemen that skippered and maintained the vessel.
He was able to feed the steam engine fire box so we could putt around Coniston Water. Coniston is the third largest lake in the Lake District. Glaciers formed all of the lakes in this area. Coniston Water is five miles long and a half mile wide.
Grayden even got a chance to pilot the vessel. Don't worry he's had plenty of practice on boats!
Grayden even got a chance to pilot the vessel. Don't worry he's had plenty of practice on boats!
The water was so calm and the gondola so quiet. Such a peaceful and beautiful ride.
The reflections on the glassy waters doubled our views.
Here is the home (Brantwood House) of Victorian artist and philosopher John Ruskin. He lived on the eastern shore of the lake from 1872-1900 when he passed away.
This photo of him hangs in the Gondola.
“Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty if only we have the eyes to see them.”
― John Ruskin
Riding along we certainly see beauty everywhere!
It's time to leave Coniston Water.
Here is the home (Brantwood House) of Victorian artist and philosopher John Ruskin. He lived on the eastern shore of the lake from 1872-1900 when he passed away.
This photo of him hangs in the Gondola.
“Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty if only we have the eyes to see them.”
― John Ruskin
Riding along we certainly see beauty everywhere!
It's time to leave Coniston Water.
Grayden reminds me it's easier to pilot a boat than a car in England! We were driving on the lower road here and came upon a little darling on the stone wall! Please don't jump, my little friend! Yes, there is beauty all around if we have eyes to see. ♥
My new blogging friend is cleaning out her attic and has a giveaway. Check out her post at Teresa Kasner
My new blogging friend is cleaning out her attic and has a giveaway. Check out her post at Teresa Kasner
Thanks for coming along with us on another one of our days in Britain!
I would like to take a journey on the gondola with its Victorian style. I love the Victorian era and could imagine sitting inside and reading a favorite novel by Trollope, only the scenery would be too pretty to resist looking at.
ReplyDeleteTerra, it was so much fun riding on this gondola. No, you wouldn't be able to read, as the scenery was gorgeous. Thank you for your visit today. ♥
DeleteWhat fun for Grayden. I mean look at that grin he's wearing!
ReplyDeleteSuch pretty countryside ...that last photo is darling.
Vee, Grayden enjoyed himself quite a bit on this gondola. The sheep on the wall was startling at first, but then we both burst out laughing! They really go everywhere or anywhere they wish. ♥
DeleteSo beautiful ...
ReplyDeleteA lovely post to read and look at.
Fancy Grayden getting a chance to pilot the vessel, so brilliant!
The Lake District is truly a beautiful part of the UK.
All the best Jan
Jan, if we lived in the UK you would find me in the Lake District. I love it there! But then again, I think I love everywhere in your lovely country!♥
DeleteVery peaceful, and wonderful ride..
ReplyDeleteKrishna, the gondola ride was lovely gliding through Coniston Water. ♥
DeleteConiston Lake and Brantwood are on our list to visit next month. I love your sheep photo!
ReplyDeleteCathy, be on the lookout for sheep in the most unusual of places. We didn't go into Brantwood House. Maybe next time! Your trip is getting close. I know you must be getting butterflies. ♥
DeleteWow.. what a fabulous place and that boat is amazing! What I wouldn't give to have a cruise on it. The homes you snapped were amazing, the one with the glass conservatory, right on the water.. oh I'm jealous of the people who get to live there. Fun trip for you! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteI can only dream of what it's like to live in such a peaceful place like Coniston Water, Teresa. Thank you for visiting and sharing our trip with us. ♥
DeleteYou got me with the first picture today! Such a perfect depth of field to the distance, you can really see it.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I saw Coniston Water, one name came to mind, the Campbells, who used the lake in their attempts to set the world water speed records. I think I prefer the more sedate method of travel in your gondola.
She's a most luxurious vessel, isn't she, and Grayden looks perfectly at home, and look at his grin ~ says it all!
~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Thanks for reminding me of the speed records, Deb. I now remember them speaking of it on this little cruise, but couldn't imagine doing so!
DeleteYes, Grayden was in his element on this lovely vessel. We both enjoyed the pace and the beauty that surrounds Coniston Water.
Have a lovely day, my friend. xoxo ♥
Wow, you visit some of the coolest places. I need to start getting out more and showing off my state! Love all the pics. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePam, I'd love to see more of your state. It's been a while since we've visited there. Have a nice weekend. ♥
DeleteWow, looks like Daddy is having a ball there!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you talked about the steam yacht and posted some pictures. I read a book once called Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome that talks about them and because they were contemporary to the time of the story, he didn't describe them much. It was nice to be able to see one!
You know your Daddy was loving this, Noel! He was like a kid in a candy store on this gondola. I must check out the book you referenced. Sounds like the era I would enjoy reading about. Love you, Mom. ♥
DeleteThat looks like a lovely way to spend time in the Lake District and to see more of the beauty of the area. How fun for Grayden that he was able to feed the steam engine and also pilot! He looks happy!
ReplyDeleteAgain, we (Bekah was beside me as I read this post) were caught by a name from our recent studies. We had come across John Ruskin as we studied James MacNeill Whistler. Your travelogues are providing us with some great second-hand field trips this year!
How interesting you and Bekah are studying about John Ruskin and Whistler. There connection was not the best was it? I'm glad to have you both along with us on our trip to Coniston Water. Visiting a place we study in depth makes it come alive for me. ♥
DeleteI love your glamorous gondola, how wonderful to travel in such style.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
It was quite glamorous, Amalia. It matched the scenery perfectly! xo ♥
DeleteThat looks like the most interesting trip! And it looks like your husband was in his element! The inside of the boat is amazing. John Ruskin was an amazing man--did far more than just art. He had a great influence on Lilias Trotter (see my blog's sidebar for a link to the blog about her.) If you google her name with his you will also get some of the story. Once when we were in England we passed through a little village where he had worked out a water system. There's a plaque to commemorate him.
ReplyDeleteDotsie, I remember that link on your blog. I must visit it again. I'm familiar with their story. I also remember you mentioning him on a previous trip here and the water system. Yes, he was quite the genius and I'm sure we could write volumes about his life. Someday I would like to visit Brantwood House and learn more. Have a lovely weekend. ♥
DeleteThese gondolas are so fancy inside. The lake is so beautiful, and the scenery in the distance looks so green. What a peaceful and lovely ride. The John Ruskin quote is so special and very true. Nature is one of my favorite places to be, and it brings me peace each and every time I'm there. These are wonderful pictures of nature, Martha Ellen, especially the ones with the water and trees.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
ps.....when Jess visited Venice, she went on a gondola ride and said it was
so nice and enjoyed it very much.
Sheri, we were so surprised at the opulence of this gondola. I couldn't agree with you more about nature. I'm so glad it brings you peace, my friend. Coniston Water is so lovely and we feel privileged to have seen such beauty.
DeleteI'm so glad Jess rode a gondola in Venice. When we were there we went on a gondola on our anniversary. It was special time for us.
Have a nice weekend, my sweet friend! ♥
How beautiful - both the boat and the neighbourhood! And I love the last photo :-)
ReplyDeleteSarah, thank you for visiting my little corner this evening. The sheep on the stone wall was so cute to see. We did worry about his safety, but sheep seem to go wherever they want and are quite sure footed. ♥
DeleteSo picturesque and serene! Your photos are truly stunning, Martha Ellen. What an elegant way to glide around the lake. Grayden looks so proud to be at the helm of this special gondola! I'm so happy that you could make special memories at Coniston Water together. It was delightful to stow away and enjoy the lake with you! You are a truly wonderful tour guide, dear one! ��
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you have come along to enjoy the beauty of Coniston Water, dear Dawn. This very special day is imprinted in our hearts and it is a joy to share it with you!
DeleteI've been thinking of you and hope you are fairing well in the latest weather. Spring has certainly been a stinker in her arrival this year. When she comes to you it will be all the more special. Have a cozy day, dear friend. ♥
I would have never wanted to leave the beautiful interior of that Gondola. Grayden looks so happy at the helm. Wonderful tour around the waterway and all it's beauty. So glad you share as I so enjoy reading and seeing the wonderful pictures. Your photographs are wonderful.
ReplyDeletebetsy
Betsy, the Steam Yacht Gondola was a lovely step into the past. We're so glad you are coming along with us on our Golden Celebration in Britain. Coniston Water was so beautiful. I don't think I'll ever get over the loveliness of the Lake District. It's so enjoyable sharing it again with you! ♥
DeleteBEAUTIFUL ...I’ve always wanted to sail down the waterways on a Gondola.. of course they weren’t as fancy as this one( ha Ha) I never imagined they could be so elaborate and large... This one is really special... and the countryside is a amazing. It so enlightening to see where Ruskin lived ..These idyllic settings seem to reflect the thought process of the writers... It is really a place where you are one with nature. You husband looks pretty proud and HAPPY ( Ha Ha) ..It’s so nice to see....Thank for sharing this gorgeous tour. ...HUGS
ReplyDeleteZaa, the Victorians certainly knew opulence, at least the wealthy. The National Trust is to be commended for bringing this vessel back to service. You are so right about the idyllic setting allowing a writer to reflect his thought process. Being in nature is so inspiring on many levels. It's lovely having you join us in Coniston Water! I hope the new week brings you joy! ♥
DeleteWell, I've been all over the Lake District many times and that's one thing I haven't done yet! I know they have recently restored the Gondola - and it looks great. Lovely shots, Martha - though I almost feel guilty that the weather wasn't better for you! If you visit again, you could try a ferry across Ullswater - there's a bit about it here - http://bitaboutbritain.com/ferry-to-howtown/
ReplyDeleteMike, I think you would enjoy this gondola ride on Coniston Water. The weather wasn't all that bad, no worries! I'll check out the ferry at Ullswater. It's my aim to have been "all over the Lake District!" ♥
DeleteHow fun- you two sure knew where to go and what to do! As always I enjoy seeing the countryside. There are some lovely homes there. These are things most of us never see (especially like me who doesn't travel much) so I have really enjoyed these posts about your trip.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liz. We really enjoy the English countryside and would rather visit there than the big cities. Loving travel like we do, I'll continue sharing our trips. So glad to have you come along. ♥
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