Day 21: High Water and St. John's Church Keswick

I could easily write a blog recording the weather changes from our window over a couple of hours. This morning we thought, weather permitting, we would take Christine and Eddie in the DerwentWater boat trip. The morning began miserable, came clear, rained, then looked clear. 

By 11.30 we decided to chance it and walked to the boat ramp, only to find that the water had risen overnight and the boarding jetty was partially under water, so no ferries were running today - and probably not tomorrow - until the water level falls and the jetty is accessible.

It was clear, but very cold, and we decided  to walk to the Keswick church of St John, whose tower dominates the town, and which has a large number of Victorian Celtic Crosses. It was founded by John Marshall of Castlerigg Manor, son of a Leeds linen manufacturer and friend of Wordsworth, who died before it was finished and dedicated in 1838













The church is on a hill, surrounded by a graveyard. The Western side faces across the lake and the Fells - as if it is paying homage to the environment.

The Eastern side snuggles into houses, as if it is being nurtured and supported by the people

The churchyard is peaceful, well-ordered and uncrowded. There are numerous Celtic crosses.

The most interesting is amongst the Marshall family graves, under a tree on the Eastern side of the churchyard.




































Inside, the church is very wide, with quite a bit of stained glass.

It has a large number of needlepoint kneelers.

 

It also stores a very long ladder in a most sensible way along one wall.

We walked back into town, visited a couple of charity shops in search of bargains, then repaired to the Dog and Gun for lunch. We were pretty restrained. Sue had a wrap. Eddie, Christine and I had scampi, veg and chips. Alf had Cumberland sausage.

The weather has turned very cold. Snow is forecast for the next three days. The rain has receded somewhat but the clouds rise and fall over the Fells.

We met up in the evening at the Pack Horse for a drink and snack. Eddie had cheesecake, Sue and I had ice-cream, Alf passed and Christine won the day with her cheese board.

Tomorrow we hope to drive to Sawrey to visit Beatrix Potter's house. It will depend a bit, however, on the weather.