Well hello, how have you all been?
I have to thank my daughter Young Rascal for writing blog posts these last weeks, I got a real kick out of them. Thanks very much as well to those of you who commented on her posts, she really understood the fun and community in blogging when we would return to our cottage at the end of the day and she was able to read comments on her posts.
We're preparing to leave for Canada tomorrow but I wanted to stop and think about the things that have really provided inspiration this holiday... after all inspiration is the best souvenir of any holiday.
Though British culture is a familiar one to us we still immersed ourself in a culture that is different enough to provide stimulation and constant interest, we have not had a dull moment even though we have been relaxed tourists!
The excitement began the moment we landed at the airport in Manchester. We were a bit groggy from the overnight flight but we had to instantly adapt to something new and different:
 |
The "Wrong" Side
Steering wheel of our rental car... and then of course it's left lane.
MrBP has done all the driving thank goodness. |
In Kirkby Lonsdale, the little village we've called home these last three weeks, there seems to be so much love for the concept of home. Heart symbols are a theme, you see them on the doors of cottages and hanging in the windows. The cottages in the village are all very well kept, with lovely paint colours on the doors and windows and gorgeous container gardens, sometimes extending right to the edge of the street.
I found basic things like the eavestrough systems really fascinating, they are all beautiful and decorative:
Everywhere you go there are dogs, the English love their dogs! They are out for walks in the village and in the country but best of all they are allowed in the pubs!
 |
The dog shower at the local pub.
Wash your boots and dogs and then go on in. |
The beautiful container gardens are a riot of colour all over the village.
The people here love to hang out their laundry and on this particular day this resident matched up the washing to the flowers lining the wall of the garden:
Back home we are embarking on a renovation of our house and I've read loads of home magazines these last weeks, but I've also been inspired by the interiors which are colourful and cozy yet speak to the natural world.
Most cottages have a name, our own cottage is named "Honeysuckle", there is a "Pear Cottage" or two in the neighbourhood, a "May Cottage", an "Oak Beam Cottage", and in the nearby village of Ingleton I found "Clod Villa".
 |
| Villa of Clods? |
It is charming but also speaks, I think, to the general love of home and hearth.
The container gardens spilling onto the streets as well as the love of dogs and walking all tie in to a reverence for the natural world which we have seen and felt on this holiday.
 |
This was a favourite picnic spot for us.
A walk through an enchanting forest leads to a green field. |
 |
| Ruskin's View |
The views, the outlooks are stunning! We've been able to study Ruskin's View (and then in a brilliant tie-in we were able to view the Ruskin exhibit at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, more on that later) but the views from our own cottage have been equally inspiring.
 |
| The view from our bedroom window. |
 |
Detailed view.
Notice the magical light! |
We've walked miles and miles in the country and I have to say I think the Yorkshire Dales must be some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire world.
 |
| MrBP unpacking one of his fabulous picnics. |
Our fellow walkers have all been kind and ready for a chat on the trail:
 |
| Ingleton Falls |
We've spent some time being inspired by Wordsworth, not just his poetry but the way he lived his life. In the nearby Lake District it's possible to visit both Dove Cottage and his house at Rydal Mount.
 |
| Wordsworth's Study at Rydal Mount |
Who knew Wordsworth was such a gardener? It deserves another post entirely. Again the reverence for the natural world, which is very evident in his work, is on full display in both of the homes he lived in.
 |
A tiny wreath of lavender was hanging at the top of every window at Rydal Mount.
|
The English have a way with words, well we knew this already but it is also much in evidence on even the most simple of signage:
The trees are so beautiful they literally take your breath away, walking the forest paths we felt the weight of history, and of legend...
 |
| MrBP and a tree which seems to have a personality of its own. |
Those picnics have been very indulgent. MrBP was clearly inspired!
 |
Champagne with strawberries and creme fraiche.
|
We visited cathedrals and museums and I have more details on various sites to tell you about. I find cathedrals absolute visual feasts:
 |
| A detail of the ceiling, the cathedral at Carlisle. |
I have something very special in particular to tell you about... my experiences visiting Brora while up in Scotland!
 |
| Very excited to be in a gorgeous Brora shop! |
As a Brora Super Fan I had the ultimate experience which I will be sharing with you in detail. Brora invited me and my family to visit their mill in the Scottish Borders where all the magic happens! It was an exciting, wonderful day and I now understand why every Brora jumper and cardigan is an absolute work of art.
 |
| A Brora cashmere pom-pom! |
So please stay tuned. I'll be back next week once I get the family settled into home and spend some time walking Ultimate Rascal, our dog Scout.
I hope you've all been well and having fun these last weeks,
xoxDani
