TRAVEL GETAWAY
“WELL, IF IT didn't rain, there wouldn't be lakes, would there?” I mused as we sat in the Tower Bank Arms at Near Sawrey, creating puddles around us as we dripped. “It's just a good job that these pubs are walker friendly and used to muddy boots and paws,” replied Ro.
We were halfway through a rainy walk from our base in Hawkshead to Near Sawrey and back, and had stopped for lunch.
The pub is what I would call a traditional Lake District inn, with stone floors and a log fire. Sitting behind Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's charming country retreat, it featured in The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck. I have always found it cosy and welcoming and right now, I was glad to be out of the rain.
Hawkshead haven
We were spending a few days in one of my favourite places in the world, the Lake District, before moving on to south-west Scotland, and were pitched at Hawkshead Hall Camping. This friendly site is an easy 10-minute riverside walk from the village.
Despite the rain (was it really August?), we couldn't resist heading out for a walk, but did stick to the low fells and fields out of the clouds,
