We started in Liverpool where it was cold, windy and raining. But as we pulled out of the city and headed north towards Scotland, the rain stopped. While this day is a travel day on our way to Scotland, we will make many fantastic stops to make our journey even more enjoyable. And of course as we are traveling in a land where it seems to always be raining, the countryside will be incredibly beautiful with lots of green, but also beautiful flowers.

Liverpool

Train Ride to Windimere Lake

Boatride up Lake Windimere

Through the Village of Ambleside

When we got off of the train, we were at the lower portion of the long and skinny Lake Windimere. It is the longest lake in England at approx. 10 feet from top location to the lower location. We would ride the boat 2/3 of the distance up north.

Along the way, we saw old castles, and also new and beautiful cottages all along both sides of the lake.

I stopped in The Apple Pie shop for a Cornish Pasty for lunch...but of course down the street also found some ice cream!

Through the Village of Grasmere

We next stopped at the Village of Grasmere famous for the graves of some historical nobles and poets. One note about the entire trip so far is how people can take their pets, particularly dogs, just about anywhere. Plus, you will find great treats for all of your dogs...treats they simply enjoy!

Once again, the countryside is beautiful! One also constantly takes on the walls of stones built hundreds, some thousands of years ago!

The 45-minute train ride was on an old, coal burnning train that chugged slowly throughout the countryside!

I don't usually write a complete section on the hotel, but this place is amazing! As our guide, Ed, told us, "you can't judge a book by its cover." The outside of this hotel is bland, but the inside is quite luxurious!

North Lake Hotel in Penrith

Notice how the numbers on the floor label in the elevator AND other signs around the hotel are filled with real, natural grass!

Next, we would continue our journey north. We stopped in the village of Ambleside for lunch. What an incredibly beautiful, old village where all buildings are made from local rock! Sidewalks and some of the roads are cobblestones. This just reminds one of the old villages where man has lived since the time of the Renaissance.

What a great flavor I found...Orange Chocolate!

The waiting area inside the lobby is such a comfortable place to sit and chat with fellow travelers!

After dinner, my dessert was (of course) ice cream. It was great!

They love milk so much in this part of England that they offer free, cold milk on every floor!

Differences with Technology

Another point on which I would like to comment is the differences I'm noticing in technology between the U.S. and the rest of the world. Regarding hotels (and I assume also applies to all new homes and businesses built in this part of Europe and possibly all parts of Europe) is their electrical outlets. ALL have a switch to turn on/off each electrical outlet.This is very safe and seems like it is a system we should have in the U.S.

You will also notice that there are plugs for your technical devices. I have seen these same outlets in ALL hotels in which we have stayed...some of these hotels in which we stayed are not new, yet all of have these same electrical outlets!

Another difference I have noticed in every single toilet I've seen this far is a tool to help with the proper use of water! All toilets have 2 buttons used to flush...one that uses less water for flush...that is when you went #1.

The other button uses more water to flush...that is when you went #2. Why do we not use this system in the U.S.?

The location and look of these 2 buttons has been different in every bathroom, yet every toilet I have seen so far has 2 buttons!

Another, even greater, difference in the use of technology is how the showers are set-up. In the U.S., we are used to only the two spigots...one for hot water and one for cold water. Yet ever single show I have seen this far is set-up so you can already have your water temperature set...you turn the part that lets the water flow-in. This means it is always set for the temperature you desire.

This photo here is quite different than all of the others I've seen so far. I will take photos of the future ones I see. But when one gets used to this system, it is so much better than what we use in the U.S. And yet every single shower I have seen is set-up like this...none had just the two spigot system that we use in the U.S. How fascinating!!

Another difference in the bathroom...

To use a public restroom in many places...and this includes the countries of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland...you have to pay to enter! (Do we do this in the U.S.?) And, as I've already mentioned, in many places in these countries, you can pay only with a credit or debit card...you cannot pay cash. To use this restroom, you could only pay with a card, however the price was low. In this case, 60p is 60 pence or about 76¢ in USD.

This has been going on for decades. I do remember having to pay to enter a restroom in Germany, and this was over 20 years ago. AND beware...for men, if you have to go #1, you pay less than if you have to go #2! Why? You use a different toilet!