Ambleside

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, and the temperature was possibly even going over 20. On my way to the bus stop I looked towards the meadow on my right, and spotted a brown creature grazing in the grass. I got out my camera, and used the powerful zoom on it to make sure. A deer! She was so lovely, though I couldn't catch a picture of her with her head raised, she was so busy eating. When she stopped, she jumped over a fence, all elegant and graceful, and disappeared from sight. I really felt that I live in the country in that moment.

After that I stopped at the co-op, and got two small bags of grapes. They are cheaper if you buy in a bigger portion, but I didn't want to carry so much around. I ate one bag on the bus to Ambleside. It was an open top, and I could finally make use of it, as the weather was turning sunny. I took a few pictures as well.

I decided to go to Ambleside, because it looked like a bigger place. I also wanted to get a nice blanket for my room to make it feel more homey. I saw an Edinburgh Woolen Mill shop from the bus, and I knew they had a sale on fleece blankets. A lot better for my delicate skin than the actual wool. Those were nice as well, but felt rough. I couldn't not get the blanket first. The shop assistant was very helpful choosing my blanket, and when I said I was a whovian, she knew right away why I was eying the blue. It even has a pattern like the Tardis windows!

Next I wanted to get a coffee. I went to a Costa, and decided on a caramel coffee. Of course they didn't have just lactose free milk, only soy. I guess I can drink that once in a while. I also got a fruity drink, because I was thirsty. I found a table outside, and had a nice sit while drinking my coffee. I was also happy that the drink didn't have sweeteners, because I've recently discovered I was allergic to them.

I looked at some shops for a baseball cap. I needed one, but most cost 10 pounds. I just feel that's a bit too much. I did find a shop that had one for 6, but in a dark blue. I wanted something in a happier colour.

I found an ice cream stand that actually didn't have any ice creams with nuts, so no chance of cross contamination! I was window shopping down a road as I licked my ice cream, then spotted a nice church tower. I headed towards it, and discovered a very nice park next to it. I ate the last of my toffee and mint with chocolate chips ice cream while watching kids playing. The park was very clean, I didn't even see any dog poop in spite of all the dogs playing around. So different from the parks in Hungary that always seem to have a smattering of rubbish here and there. The church bells were ringing a lot, probably because of weddings. It was a Saturday after all.

On my way back towards the shops I took a couple of pictures of the church. I saw some women in those crazy hats I saw people wear on TV for weddings. So they actually do that. I also spotted the vicar. I was half expecting Miss Marple to exit the church. I did consider taking a picture, but it felt rude to do that. I always feel in these moments that I'm in England, when something that I have only seen on TV, and always felt was so English, just be there in front of me.

I went into every shop I saw. I did get chatting with one shopkeeper. We had bad fathers in common, though his just left. As I stood there, the so far empty shop started to fill up. I always had that effect. I would walk into an empty shop, and people would just start coming. When I left the shop, it was raining weirdly enough, since it had been nice and sunny all day. It must have been a rouge cloud, just making sure that I didn't fool myself into thinking I was actually in a place that would bear being sunny for more than a day. I ducked into the next shop quickly. I saw that their sales were on the second floor, all the way to the top. Stairs only. My knees had been bothering me for a while, but it was obviously getting worse. There was a Booths pharmacy on the other side, and I wanted to check it out. I was glad though that I made the climb, because they had a terrace, and a very nice view from there. I was thinking that they should have a sign on the shop: "Check out the views from our terrace!"

At the pharmacy I decided to ask for help, because it was rather big. The lady helped me, and even pointed out that the glucosamine sulphates were on special offer. Buy two, get a third one free. I made use of that, and got 270 500 microgram tablets for 25 pounds. I'd say that's a really good deal, and my second required item bought on a sale that day. I did ask about lactose enzyme tablets, but they didn't sell any. They have become so common in Hungary, I'm constantly baffled that most people have no clue about it. If I get offered skimmed milk one more time... Do I look like I should lose weight?

Next I looked around a few more shops, but decided to make use of Blacks' offer of two fleece pullovers for 15 pounds. I wanted to try it on, because with some brands a size 8, others a 10 fit. It was the 10 in this case. The arms on the 8 were so slim, my wrists could hardly pass it. I didn't find the changing rooms at first, but it turned out that they were painted in the same jungle theme as the rest of the walls. Good way to camouflage them, but not very productive, as I'm sure I wasn't the only one who had to ask where they were. Behind the counter I meet another whovian. She had been to Cardiff, but didn't have time to do the Experience. However, she did come across them filming. I was envious of that, but I definitely want to do the Experience. I have looked at places to stay, and would probably need to put away a bit of money first. It would be a good idea to make a small, Doctor Who themed hotel in Cardiff, as it is kind of a Mecca for the fans.

I looked at some more shops, like a huge store dedicated to outdoor activities, a crystal shop, a souvenir shop that was also a post office.  I passed some houses with beautiful flowers outside and found myself at the Bridge House. It's a tiny house where once a family lived that had eight kids. I talked with the national trust lady, and she told me some things about it. I always found it a very good thing that there is an institute that would look after such a broad range of historical artefacts.

I was getting hungry, but like I always do, I just kept on going. I decided to head to Lake Windermere. Of course, I probably managed to find the longest way there. I passed by many rentable houses, and a parking space for motorhomes as well. There were a lot in there. I just can't wait to get a data plan onto my phone, so that in times like this I can go on Google Maps.



I finally reached the lake, and headed straight into the park there. The sun was shining, sailing boats crushed the waves, and little kids braved the cold water. I sat down a bit on the shore to take it all in. It was like being on a beach, and the pictures I took could have been Southern France. Though there, I probably would have been in the shade all day, suffering from the heat. Whenever I'm cold, I just remind myself how terrible I feel when I'm hot. It's all due to my Hashimoto's. It's like my heat regulator doesn't work properly.

Of course, I couldn't stand to sit around for long, so I took off towards the pier. A couple of places offered food, but I was in the mood for some fish and chips. At the end of the pier, where the ferry docked, I found a chippie. They took my order and I sat down outside to enjoy the sun. I got a huge portion, and I started to read the Marie Claire that was downloaded onto my tablet. The wonders of modern technology. I tried to take a picture, but the cover on the tablet wouldn't show. Eating, and looking at the sun glistening on the waves felt like I was on a holiday.

I heard some Hungarian words to my surprise. There was a woman discussing some things that happened to her around here. I smiled to myself. Hungarians really are everywhere.

When I was very full, I went on, and spotted some souvenir shops. I may not be a tourist, but since I'm determined to live like one, I decided to check them out. In the second one they were actually selling some baseball caps for only 3 pounds! I got a light blue one. It didn't cover my ear, but at least it wasn't huge and not a drab colour. It would fit well under my jacket though, and protect my face and glasses better from the rain.

I walked back to the main bus stop in Ambleside. The bus did stop at the pier as well, but I still had about half an hour until it went, and I wanted to walk some more. All in the name of developing stronger leg muscles. I reached the stop, and had to wait a lot. It was late. I was quite tired and wanted to go to bed. It finally arrived, and I got off at the stop nearest to the hotel. I had a great day out.