Posted by Rob Boden on January 19, 2010 at 13:33:58 user humyar.
In Reply to: Great British Railway Journeys posted by Owen Roberts on January 19, 2010 at 10:07:57:
Owen -
I found it interesting that although they said the best lake water for making tea was obtained at the north end of the lake, where the most fresh water flows in, I think they stopped at Thompson's Holme in the middle to actually brew up. Roger Mallinson said this was the traditional place to stop and brew tea, and it is very close to the Lilies of the Valley islands where I understand AR would go ashore and brew up.
Nowadays, one of the Lily islands is defended by somewhat vicious swans, while the other has a mini Hidden Harbour. I often wonder if AR was reminded of the harbour on Peel island when he sailed on Windermere in the late 1920's.
I thought the passage in the TV programme on Kendal was a bit insipid. The reason that the market was being held on the same day as in Bradshaw's guide is because there is a royal market charter going back to 1189 which allows markets on Saturdays (and Wednesdays). So no surprise there! And who doesn't know that Kendal mintcake is not a cake but a sweet?
There are fleeting views of Strickland Junction aka Oxenholme, but no red hats at Windermere station to greet Michael Portillo.
Rob