28 September 2017 – Trip to Windermere

Due to the train strike scheduled for 5 October, we decided to travel to Windermere this week and go to Buxton next week. And what a glorious day we had, including a cruise from Bowness to Ambleside.

As a tourist spot we found that the food and drink prices were generally inflated in the Lake District. A swan finished off my ice cream cone, but he snapped it up so quickly, that we couldn’t get a photograph in time.

The group had an enjoyable day trip to Windermere Bowness and Ambleside on Thurs 28th Sept

We travelled by train from Manchester Piccadilly

The weather was perfect and it was a good idea to change the trip from Buxton which we will now be visiting next week

It took us ages to find somewhere to enjoy lunch as all the venues seemed expensive

We discovered there is what appeared to be an excellent chippie at Ambleside and there were certainly plenty of customers enjoying the large sized fish

Had we  known about  this we would have had lunch there

We had a lovely boat trip across Lake Windermere to Ambleside on board MSV Swan

When we arrived we had a look around and I spotted a delightful shop selling crystals

I purchased a nice sized onyx and a lovely crystal called Labradorite

21 September 2017 – Trip to Gorton Monastery

Gorton Monastery is a Grade II listed building and in 1997 was placed on the World Monuments Fund Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites in the World alongside Pompeii, the Taj Mahal and the Valley of the Kings.

However, since the Franciscan friars moved out, the corporates have moved in. The building was closed due to preparations for a private party and we were refused entry (except for the gift shop and cafe). After a complaint we were allowed to look into the main building, but every move was thwarted by “Don’t Stand There – health and safety”.

The day was not spoilt as we had tea and cake at the Richmond Tea Rooms.

 

We met at Yates pub on Portland Street

However some of the group did not enjoy their meal

A common complaint was the chips were cold and the chicken dry as if re-heated

We then had a short bus ride to Gorton Monastery

We were disappointed at being informed there was a function planned for the evening and that we could not have a look around apart from the gift shop and cafe.

I made a complaint to the Manager and he said we could have a look around

Following our very brief visit we went to The Richmond Tea Rooms

I thought they resemble the set of a Carry on Film

I could picture Kenneth Williams shouting Infamy Infamy They’ve All Got It Infamy!

This Saturday, 23rd September 2017, marks Bi Visibility Day, also known as International Celebrate Bisexuality Day, it has been marked around the world each year since 1999 to highlight biphobia and to help people find the bisexual community.