GRASMERE:

A PLEASANT TRIP TO GRASMERE:

(Early morning in Grasmere)

Once again I've come to Grasmere to live with my granny for a week  and also to undertake a 'nature-walk'-a moderately hard walk of 9.5 miles from Grasmere to High Raise and Helm Creg. This is the first time I am joining some adventure activity and though I am 'all geared up' yet I am a little apprehensive. However,-oh, the wonder of wonders!,- my boyfriend is with me to share all the joy and cuts and bruises!

(A road in Grasmere)

When does a known place look more beautiful?-when someone special is with you! And that's why Grasmere is looking more beautiful to me!!

(my granny's house)

(my granny's neighbourhood)

But I must write about Grasmere and I will insert some photos here to give you some idea of this place. This tiny stone village is beautifully set between the tranquil waters of Grasmere Lake and the jagged heights of Helm Crag and Nab Scar. Close-by is a beautiful natural arena where the famous Grasmere Sports are staged each August, this event perpetuates many Lakeland traditions. Local sheepdog trials are held in the village at around the same time.

(Grasmere lake seen while looking towards North)

The village and its valley are seen at their best from the surrounding hills. The village is proud of its association with the famous poet William Wordsworth who stayed here for a number of years.. His years here were happy and productive, he must have drawn much inspiration from the beauty and tranquility of this spectacular Lakeland area.
William  Wordsworth and his devoted sister Dorothy, lived in a delightful stone cottage situated beyond the village church where a lane skirts the fields before reaching Town End and a pretty cluster of stone slate roofed cottages with glorious westward views. The Wordsworth Museum, a short distance from Dove Cottage , contains many of Wordsworth's personal possessions and there is also a reconstruction of a typical farmhouse kitchen.

.                                           (Dove cottege-one time home of poet William Wordsworth)

(path leading up to Dove Cottege)

There are many pleasant building in and around Grasmere and just past the Swan Hotel, at a point close to the River Rothay an old creeper covered house stands by the bridge. It is perhaps one of the most attractive houses in the village. Grey-green and purple tinged stone shops, houses and cottages flank Broad Street which has a pleasant little green at it's junction with College Street. Several hotels are clustered in the heart of Grasmere, before the main road reaches the Church on the bank of the Rothay.

(The Church of Grasmere)

As you wander through this delightful village, beauty abounds all around in the form of towering peaks, magnificent lakes and glistening waterfalls, coupled with enchanting buildings and the romance of a famous English poet, you will surely ask ' who could wish for anything more' for this whole area is majesty and peace beyond compare.

                                (River Rothay at Grasmere- mark the 'poetic' stone-bench)

                                          (a stone bridge over River Rothay, Grasmere)
 The most panoramic views of lake and village are from the south of Grasmere, from the bare slopes of Loughrigg Terrace, reached along a well-signposted track on the western side of the lake or through the woods from parking lots on the A591 between Grasmere and Rydal Water. It's less than an hour's walk from the village, though your stroll can be extended by continuing around Rydal Water, passing Rydal Mount, detouring onto White Moss Common before returning to Dove Cottage and Grasmere, a 4-mile (three-hour) walk in total.

( On the border of Grasmere)

                                          (A beautiful waterfall in River Rothay, Grasmere)

(The flowery banks of River Rothay, Grasmere)

                                           (Grasmere Lake)

                                               (a ramp for fishing in Grasmere lake in the morning fog)

                                                (A lonely swan in the Grasmere lake, posing for me!)
For me, Grasmere has a special place in my heart because this is where my gradmother lives and this is where my mother was born! This blogpost is my humble tribute to this wonderful place which has given me so many fond memories and seeds of many poems! And now it has given me a new understanding with my boyfriend. Perhaps I am in love now!

-PORTIA BURTON