Day 1: Hertford to Kendal
38 Hertford u3a members set off on a bright sunny morning from Hertford heading for the M1, M6 and the wilds of the north-west, to enjoy a four-night visit, arranged by Avalon Tours, in the Lake District, staying in Kendal.
Unlike the general predictions regarding weather, we had wall-to-wall sunshine and rain jackets were not required until the morning we left.
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A packed itinerary included a lunchtime stop at Salford Quays, where some visited the Lowry Centre, others the IWM (North), with Media City always in view. One of our party was able to meet up with an old friend. |
| Our hotel, an old tannery alongside the river Kent, provided us with comfortable rooms, breakfast and evening meal. Although the refurbishment of the bar was unfinished and therefore out of bounds we still managed to make the most of a pop-up bar in the dining room. Evening walks along the river were enjoyed by many. |  |
Day 2: Boats, Trains and Bluebirds
Our excursions included a relaxing but breezy boat trip on the Swan along Windermere from Ambleside to Lakeside, via Bowness, followed by a delightful steam train ride to Haverthwaite and a visit to the Lakeland Motor Museum. Here we found a variety of cars from our past, strange flying machines, all crammed in to a very small space, plus an interesting and moving exhibition devoted to the land and water speed records of Malcolm and Donald Campbell in their Bluebirds.
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Day 3: Poets, Gingerbread and Yards
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| Tuesday took us to Dove Cottage, home of William Wordsworth, where we learned about the history of the Wordsworths and the cottage, before taking a walk through the house and delightful garden, where we met an 18th century ode reader, complete with mobile phone! There is also a comprehensive museum for erudite Wordsworth enthusiasts. | |
A short drive to Grasmere and lunch in a riverside café was followed by a search for the very special gingerbread shop, with a very long queue. Others wisely took a stroll around the village and pretty church, where the Wordsworth graves are prominent
An early return gave us an opportunity to explore Kendal. Walking along the river Kent, we unexpectedly traversed a local council estate to find the exceptionally wide parish church with five aisles, before investigating the high street with its old yards, nooks and crannies, thus requiring some refreshment in a little hostelry, where cocktails were on offer.
 Kendal Parish Church |
 Old Police Yard |
Day 4: Tapestries and Stately Homes
On Wednesday morning we visited the Quaker Tapestry, where we enjoyed a very interesting and informative talk about the history of the tapestries and the variety of different stitching used. The handwork was wonderful and we were very pleased to discover our own Hertford Quaker Meeting House in one of the pieces.
 Quaker Meeting Hall, Kendal |
 Holker Hall, Grange-over-Sands |
The afternoon was spent at Holker Hall, family home of Lucy Cavendish and her husband, Tor McLaren. This is a very interesting house to walk around, with evidence of the comfortable family home it has always been: rocking horse, doll’s pram, see-saws and other toys,1980s books and earlier. The gardens are delightful to stroll around, with fountains, a cascade, elephant topiary and even statues of Roman gods lurking in the undergrowth, amongst some interesting trees from across the world, whilst RAF jets flew overhead disturbing the peace but not our enjoyment. A quick visit to the shop for some goodies, we assembled back at the coach for some Buck’s Fizz to celebrate the end of a successful tour.
Day 5: Coventry and home
On Thursday morning it rained, but not for long!
After an early breakfast, we were all packed and ready for our journey homeward, via Coventry. Lisa had arranged a Blue Badge Tour guide, to show us the city centre. The modern cathedral, the Cathedral Church of St Michael, designed by Sir Basil Spence with its extraordinary interior dominated by Sir Graham Sutherland’s huge tapestry, sits next to the old one, also St Michael’s, destroyed by incendiary bombs in 1940, now just a shell. It is a symbol of war-time destruction and barbarity, but also of peace and reconciliation. There is much to see and consider in the new cathedral, but I found the old one more moving. They are both very peaceful.
 From the new to the old |
 Doom painting |
Our guide, Roger, took us to the main square where Lady Godiva sits resplendent on her horse.
We then visited the site of the first cathedral in Coventry, found the market cross and were treated to Holy Trinity Church, with its Doom Painting, discovered in 1831, but following conservation and restoration in the 1990s, was revealed in 2004. The church is beautiful with some glorious stained glass.
It was here we said farewell to Lisa, who was returning to Northampton before setting off on another tour with another group. Dean drove us safely back to Hertford in good time, all present and correct…and no rain!
I have to thank Lisa at Avalon Tours and Dean, our driver, for taking care of us throughout our stay and making sure everyone had a jolly good time… which we did.
Liz Cooper
Photos are in the GALLERY .