Had a really lovely day today in Kendal. Yesterday, I had an email from Cumbrian radio to say they were talking about thrifty meals all this week, and would I come on and talk about it. So at 10:30 this morning, that is what I did. They are doing a feature all week on spending £20 and making meals for yourself using just that. Well, we know how to do that here alright don’t we!

Then DP and I went off into Kendal town, had a look at all the lovely fruit and veg on sale in the open air market. Very good prices, cheaper than the value brands, and it all looked good quality too. They were selling the last 6 cauliflowers at 25p each! I would have had them for sure!

Then we searched out the Quaker Tapestry Exhibition.
The tapestry is actually embroidery, done on woollen panels – 77 of them! They are beautifully done. I learned quite a bit about the influence Quakers have had on our ways of being in this country. Because of Quakers, atheists like me can solemnly affirm in a court of law, rather than take an oath. They more or less invented ‘Bankery’ and had a huge influence on the development of the railways.

There was a beautiful quilt there too made up of panels of stitched blue thread and knitted squares.

When we had had our fill there, we went off to find lunch, and ended up at the Joshua Tree, a lovely old 17th century building with a cafe/bistro where we had tiny lamb and feta meatballs on roasted vegetables and couscous. Delicious it was too. It has a lovely atmosphere, and I swear I could smell a wood fire when we went in, even tho their wood burner was not lit. Very friendly place, and very popular. Always a good sign.

In the afternoon, we explored the Kendal museum. It has free entry which is a good start! They have a huge collection of stuffed animals and big game, mounted butterflies etc. not really the kind of thing I like to look at, but there were lots of other things to enjoy. Loads of geological rocks from all over the area, in an amazing array of colours. There are also works of art currently exhibited by local artists, I always enjoy that kind of thing. And the tiniest, most delicate, early tea bowls, beautiful little things.

We tramped around loads of Kendal itself, admiring the scenery, of which they have a lot! We must have walked miles.

In the evening, we had dinner in another bistro, just round the corner from where we are staying – Déjà Vu. Small, crowded, buzzing, and delicious food. What more can you ask of an eatery 😉 DP had a cassoulet and I had a vegetable bake concoction with Reblochon cheese melted over the top. They were both delectable.

Tomorrow, we’ll pop into M&S to get some crusty bread, cheese and fruit for our lunch, then complete the drive up to the hotel in Scotland. It is the Portsonachan, in Argyle, near Dalmally. I’m looking forward to walking by the lochs, and more beautiful, mountainous scenery.