Do you recall yesterday’s harrowing adventure, with Marty driving S-curves up and down a mountain, along a narrow road that was lined with stone walls? Well, it turns out that the name for that section is “The Struggles”.
Who names a particular section of a road? Apparently someone who found it to be a struggle. And, I can certainly see why!
But I’m happy to say that today’s drive, although a bit tight and surrounded by stone walls as well, wasn’t nearly as taxing. So, it appears that our struggles are over. Or, at least a bit less stressful for now.
We enjoyed a lovely breakfast in house, then headed out on the road to the National Trust Site, Townend. This is a 17th century farmhouse, which was built in 1523, and housed 12 generations of the Browne family until it was donated to the Trust in 1943.
It is a traditional farmhouse built with Lake District stone and slate, and features round chimneys.
The interior of the house stands pretty much the same as it had been when the family had lived in it.
The” last” George Browne to live in the house was born in 1842. He was an only child, and this portrait was drawn of him at the age of eight.
And there was another one featuring him as an adult.
He married and had three daughters, and spent much of his free time carving wooden items that he had in his house, most from the 17th century.
He was so well known regarding his carving addiction that even Beatrix Potter made note of it by commenting on his elaborately carved bed, “Foot boards of the splendid old bedstead have been covered with copied patterns”.
You can see countless items that were enhanced by George during his life.
There are embroidered samplers, a family tree of sorts adorning a bedroom wall, that also holds the wedding gown of George’s wife, and a room full of books in the largest farmhouse library of its kind in England.
Book collecting became a family trait as far back as 1664, with Ben Browne, and continued with his son and future generations. They also acted as a “library” by loaning books to neighbors, as documented in the younger Ben’s diary from 1731.
Of particular interest, were books on sheep farming, with one of them showing markings that denoted ownership by each farmer in the area.
The children’s books belonged to George’s three daughters, Lucy, Clara and Katie.
The house is definitely filled with character and it is even said that Woodrow Wilson himself stayed there once, and loved it so much, that he wanted to buy it. It’s not too surprising to see why. The area where it stands is just breathtaking.
It didn’t take us long to tour the house, so we opted to visit Elterswater, another National Trust Site, as it was recommended to us by a couple at the B&B. This is a nature preserve located in an idyllic setting, and we wasted no time setting out on foot to tackle the trail to the waterfall.
After walking about a mile and a half, we found ourselves at our intended destination. I only had to sort out the logistics of just how I was going to maneuver my way down the rock embankment in order to get a view of the waterfall..
It was no easy feat, but I did it!
And I'm even still smiling!
At this point, I was ready to make my way back to the B&B, but not before we popped into the Pub Across the street so that Marty could order a cask ale from the Lake District.
It did not disappoint.
We then headed back to the Dower House to settle in for the evnvening, but not before visiting Wray Castle, which is literally right on our doorstep.
We soon learned that this was not a castle at all, despite the appearance. Rather, it was a private residence built by a doctor who had lived in Liverpool, and wanted a Lake District escape. Beatrix Potter stayed here one summer with her family, and she was actively involved with insuring that the estate was saved by the National Trust. The house, itself, didn’t fall into possession of the Trust until the 1990s, after it was leased out to various organizations over the years. As a result, all of the furnishings had been removed, as well as at least one fireplace.
But, we were able to look at the architecture on the bottom floor.
Here you can see the three story (or more) vaulted ceiling above the middle entranceway.
one remaining fireplace
and the refurbished ceiling in one of the rooms.
Only the downstairs rooms were available for viewing, so it didn't take us long to tour the house.
We then headed around the nature loop, and back to our B&B, which was literally only a stone’s throw away. You can see the lake in the distance.
And, here we are, after we finished the walk, no worse the wear, although a bit wind blown!
We had decided to eat dinner in tonight, as the B&B proprietor, Margaret, makes an evening meal for those wishing to partake of it. The other two couples joined us for dinner, and we had a grand time without the stress of driving!
Before I sign off for the night, here's a clever shot of Marty and me in the Parlor, upon return from our final daily adventure!
Believe it or not, we were grateful for the coziness of the fire!
And on that night, I wish you good night!
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