England pt. 2 - The Lake District

 After London we picked up a rental car and Matt drove us - on the opposite side of the road, in a compact mini van, with stick shift! - five hours north to the Lake District. 

Matt was a natural at left-handed driving! We met Mom, Dad, Ellen, Corey and Cam at the most charming hotel on Lake Windermere. 

Photo by Lyd in the hotel lobby haha

Smelling the English roses by the lakeside

We spent two and a half days exploring the little town, taking boat rides on the lake and to Ambleside, and eating gelato. :) 

Cousin Cam had the biggest smiles!!

When the boat dropped us off at Ambleside, we shopped around for a few minutes before having tea at the most adorable tea room.

One afternoon Matt, the kids and I took a drive through the nearby countryside along winding farm roads, accompanied by hikers and backpackers who had come long distances just for the view. The low stone walls surrounded by greenery, the sheep-covered hills and single-track dirt roads were spectacular. It was like we'd stepped into an illustration from a James Herriot children's book. 

Later Matt found the perfect lunch spot at a little inn with a view of the whole town of Windermere. 

The kids had fun log-rolling down the hill and picking flowers while we ate. :) 

Followed by the most incredible black currant and licorice gelato. 

By this point Elise had clung so tightly to Pink Bunny through the whole trip (and thrown up on it and dragged it on the floors of airports and restaurants and flung it out of the stroller many times) that it had gotten filthy, and a little wash in the sink wasn't cutting it. We ended up buying a second almost identical bunny as a replacement until we could clean the first. She loved it!

At a roadside stop farm store,
with the most incredible view from the produce section. 

Too soon it was time to pack up and head to the next stop!