Eco pod at Rydal Hall

I thought it would be a bit cold for camping when I went up to see Mark last weekend, so I compromised and spent the night in an eco pod.

With no heating or electricity, I did wonder if it'd be a chilly experience, but it turned out to be the warmest night for ages at a mild 6 degrees C, so I was toasty in my thick sleeping bag.

This was the early morning view with the sun lighting up the now snow-less fellside.

 and the sheep grazing peacefully.

Windermere 8.12.12

Windermere last weekend, before the Sunday thaw.

The snow on the tops was beautiful...

and I wasn't the only one to think so :)

Around and about at Rydal Hall

Back at Rydal Hall, the lads came by to help me take down my tent and we stopped off in the Old School Room Tea Shop by the beck.

All around the Tea Shop, and spreading into the Quiet Garden, was a display of felted wool sculptures; probably the only outdoor textile sculpture rail in the UK.

They are the creation of Dianne Standen, a Cumbrian artist based in Maryport, Cockermouth and here at Rydal Hall.

Here, she has framed CDs in a location which will catch the sunlight.

The formal gardens at Rydal Hall were designed by Thomas Hayton Mawson in 1911 and are unique as an example of Edwardian garden design in the Lake District.

How about this as the view from your back door?

And finally, this is the edge of the Quiet Garden and the tree I passed each time I drove to or from my tent.

Beautiful!