On Tuesday we left Rory's place in Newcastle and drove west towards Carlisle then south into the Lake District. Autumn is in full swing here and the trees were dropping their leaves along the roadside in the most amazing array of colours. Everywhere I looked it was picture-postcard scenery and pretty soon we stopped pointing things out because it was all so beautiful.

Frozen leaves outside the car

But it is also very cold, and I finally got around to buying a hat and gloves. Lorraine says I look like a snowboarder with my jacket zipped up and wearing my beanie. We stayed the night at Gummers How (or Hummers Gow) and woke up in time to see the frost on the grass and mist slowly wafting across Lake Windermere.

   We had to be in Edinburgh by the afternoon so we got moving early, but took the scenic route anyway. Along the way we saw a place called Dalebottom and both thought of our friend in NZ who would love to pose by the sign I'm sure.

   Eventually we made it to Edinburgh and picked up Bronwyn at the station. She brought with her some prezzies from home and a wonderful word-find game made by Bex with the names of my new Euro-Friends hidden in it. I know what I'm doing tonight, thanks babe :-)

A Quicktime VR movie (4.5mb) taken of Castlerigg stone circle.