Wednesday June 4
Bampton Grange,
Near Hawes Water

I saw my first lake of the Lake District today and even though it's not a natural lake (it's a dammed stream (sorry, "beck")) it certainly lived up to my expectations. The lake, however, is not the most beautiful thing I've seen today. First place goes to Dentdale & the village of Dent. Uncle Tony recommended it to me and I was overwhelmed by it when I came over the hills from Hawes in Wensleydale this morning. The weather has been warmer, dryer & less windy today but it showered a bit around lunch time. I stopped for lunch at a little place called Tebay near Orton & right next to the moterway M6.

Tomorrow I'm going up to Penrith to see if I can find another bike shop. The bike is still making funny noises & I can't find what's wrong. It looks like the back wheel is going to have to be taken apart, and that is a bit beyond my abilities. I phoned both Russell & Uncle Tony this evening. Uncle Tony said that Pat was very pleased with the flowers, (she was out when I phoned) but said I shouldn't have spent the money on something like that. Russell said he would phone Auntie Hilda tomorrow (he said it was about time he did anyway) and mention I would be coming about the 11th or 12th. I will phone her a few days before I go there whe I know exactly when I will be there.

I'm staying in a pub-hotel here just downsteam from the lake. Tomorrow I'll be at another youth hostel. There are lots to shoose from near Keswick. I also hope to go on a boat trip down Ulswater. Hopefully I can mail this tomorrow from Penrith. I drew my first postcard today of a bridge in Dentdale & I think I'll send it to Mart & Pat since I haven't written to them yet.

Lots of luv,
Rich