First Morning - Storrs Gate House

♫Morning Has Broken♫

Morning had broken and look at that sky!  We'd slept soundly and were now enjoying our first cup of coffee in our room overlooking the garden. . . .

We were packed and ready to head for the ferry to take us across Lake Windermere by 8:30.  But first our first Full-English breakfast was waiting for us downstairs. . . .

Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle was quite appropriate since I am apparently a Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle according to this personality test. . . .

The choices for Starters would have been enough, but I wanted to try the Full-English breakfast so I just chose the fresh fruit. . . .

As you see the fruit came beautifully arranged.  The Lakeland butter was noticeably better than what we get at home.  We both got the Full-English breakfast but with differently-prepared eggs. . . .

The view out the window by our table kept us entertained.  We saw various kinds of birds at the feeders. . . .

We had to ask what this bird in the bath was, having never seen a Magpie before. . . .

After breakfast we left through the dining room door to stroll through the garden.  Did you notice the exit sign above the door?  There were many subtle differences in signage in England from the US.  In the US we are told to walk not run, but it seems in England we are to run to the exit. . . .

Ah, the air is fresh.  The birds are singing.  The sun is shining. . . .

The dining room is the one with all the windows. . . .

You can see our balcony window on the right. . . .

According to the brochure the house was built in 1896 as the northern gatehouse to the estate of Storrs Hall, the original manor house which is now a luxury hotel.  Vince and Shirley have owned and personally run the B&B since November 1999. . . .

This painting of the B&B was in the parlor. . . .

Just beyond this view from the driveway of the sail boats docked in a cove of Lake Windermere is where we will meet the ferry. . . .

As we were leaving Shirley offered to drive us to the ferry.  On the one hand I'd been looking forward to the walk, but since we had our luggage and had no idea what kind of paths we would have to traverse, we accepted her offer.  The cars were lining up as we arrived. . . .

The crossing is so short that you can see the ferry on the other side!  That's it on the left. . . .

This is the view from the landing to the north. . . .

Ken went exploring to the south while I waited with the luggage (like anyone would run off with it!). . . .

Here comes the ferry. . . .

The view across the lake. . . .

To the north looking up the lake. . . .

Ferry House used to be a hotel but now houses the Freshwater Biological Association. . . .

As soon as the ferry unloads, it heads back to the eastern shore. . . .

We had to wait about 45 minutes for the van/bus to Near Sawrey. . . .

The van was packed with 14 ladies from the States touring the Lake District.  We squeezed in with our two bags and were chatting so much I almost forgot to look out the window.  I snapped this photo as the van hurried along the narrow road through Far Sawrey on its way to Near Sawrey where we would stay the next four nights. . . .

Up Next:  Near Sawrey - Tower Bank Arms