Lake District Tour 2018


Galway R.T.A. Tour to the English Lake District
October 1st - 5th 2018

Lake Windermere
On Monday, October 1st, we boarded Corduff’s bus in Galway and departed at 3:20am. for Dublin Port. We picked up our Laois colleagues in Athlone and arrived in Dublin Port in time to catch the 8:00am ferry to Holyhead. There we, 60 in all, boarded the coach for a six hour journey, with one break near Chester, to arrive in the Lake District town of Keswick, where, just a few miles outside, we reached the Borrowdale Hotel, a quaint, comfortable hostelry - our base for our holiday.

The next day, we left the hotel at 9 am, touring through Keswick, Grassmere, Rydal, Ambleside, and Windermere to Havertwaite where we boarded a steam engined train for a twenty minute journey to Windermere. There we took a boat trip on Lake Windermere. We enjoyed the beautiful views of mountains, the autumn leaved trees and the elegant, stone faced, lakeside properties.

Geraldine Kelly & Bridie Pettit having a chat with Beatrix Potter.

We disembarked in Bowness to indulge our inner child in the magical Beatrix Potter Exhibition. After lunch in Bowness we headed back to Keswick to explore the town and do some shopping.

On Wednesday the tour took us to Grasmere where we visited Dove Cottage, the home of the poet Wordsworth, his wife and children and his sister Dorothy,. We proceeded to the Wordsworth Museum next door. Later, we saw Wordsworth’s grave in the grounds of St. Oswald’s Church. Some of us purchased Grasmere’s famous gingerbread in a little, quaint, shop.

Mary Joyce Glynn - always concerned about her swans and ducks.
We then headed further south to visit Holker Hall, a magnificent old mansion, home of the family of current owners, Lord and Lady Cavendish for all of its 400 years. Restored, in Victorian style, after a fire in 1871, it is beautifully furnished and maintained.

We were all impressed by it’s award winning gardens, especially the 400 year old lime tree and interesting topiary work, which included some hedges in the shape of elephants.

That night we enjoyed an after dinner great sing song session in the hotel bar. Celine Joyce charmed us with her beautiful voice and Sheila Coyle entertained us with a sketch she performed from the work of John B. Keane.

Getting acquainted with Peter Rabbit!
On the next morning, Keswick Market was our first stop where we enjoyed viewing, and buying, local produce and crafts.

We then proceeded to cross the Scottish border to Gretna Green. In the Museum we learned about the history of the runaway marriages. These marriages were performed in the ancient Blacksmith’s Forge since 1754, solemnised by the striking of the anvil. The guide reenacted a marriage, as in bygone days, with Laoise and Stiofán from our group as bride and groom.

We crossed back into England for our final tour destination, Carlisle. There we visited Tulli House Art Galley and Museum. Later we proceeded to visit Carlisle Cathedral to view the magnificent 900 year old building.

On Friday morning at 7 am, we said goodbye to The Lake District and commenced our long journey home. We all agreed that we had a wonderful holiday. Our hotel was lovely with a very welcoming staff and delicious food. Mary, our guide, ensured we saw all the important landmarks and Noel, our driver, got us there and back safely. We all enjoyed each others company, made new friends and renewed old friendships.
Above all, great credit is due to Mary Kyne, who organised the holiday and looked after us with kindness, patience and courtesy.

Bridal Party, Gretna Green
Margaret Quigley really captured the essence of our adventure in this account.
Thank you Margaret