We recently decided to drive somewhere “different” in England. I thought we had seen all the beauty of England but I was wrong. I was very wrong. The Lake District  (Cumbria) is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen in England. And trust me, I say that about everyplace we go, so I’m sure you’ve heard it before if you’ve been a fan for a while. But seriously, this place was GORGEOUS!  It was a crisp cool day that turned very windy and cold…we had to pull out our jacket and stocking caps in MAY!!  How SPLENDID!!  The next day it was fine, no hats!  We drove the entire area, and I got sucked into doing all of the Beatrix Potter tourist sites that I swore I wasn’t going to do..(more on this in another blog later).  The flowers in the Lake District are amazing…literally amazing..William Wordsworth was born in this area and returned to this area. He wrote  his poetry from inspirations of his surroundings. We visited his grave and his church. “It” was amazing.The area is full of the most lovely bed and breakfasts…we stayed at Beatrix Potters home for a night.  It was called Lindeth House.  (More on that too later in another blog) and then we found “IT”…we were driving down a curvy road and I screamed STOP!  Of course my husband panicked..then realized its just me and my silly excitement of seeing something I like…(this happens a lot when we are in England)…He kept driving, then turned around and took me to “IT.  My heart went pitter patter and I was in love. “It”was an amazing sight.

We got out of our car and I started running to look at the grounds. LANGDALE CHASE… The foundation stone was laid in 1890, and the lady told me that it took 5 years to complete this house. It opened as a public hotel in 1930. Floors inlaid from Italy, it was the location for Alfred Hitchcocks production of “The Paradine Case”. Amazing massive oil paintings, exquisite fireplaces and furniture that looks like it came from my store in good ‘ol Oklahoma!  I swear many of you have the exact pieces in your home!  “It was amazing to see such beautiful furnishings.

Anyway this was a fabulous find…we sat outside and enjoyed this peaceful, serene location and was blown away by the beauty of nature. Windermere Lake is a fabulous find, and we are glad to have found this area that we had never been to before. We enjoyed the lovely hotel that was once Beatrix Potters mothers home (she left TONS of land to the lake district..like I said more on this later)..and finding the most BEAUTIFUL place we’ve stayed…”IT WAS PERFECT!”

One thing I love about England …the “gates”..every drive, every garden has a gate…all gates lead to something mysterious and lovely ahead..whether it be a beautiful  flat or an english garden or a massive manor, the gate is the welcoming “first impression” of many entrances and driveways many times before the front door.  In my neighborhood which is historic, we don’t have gates to our front doors,  but many of us have gates to our driveways. There is something regal about a beautiful wrought iron gate that swings open once you pull into the driveway. There is something charming about a lovely wooden rustic english garden gate that opens into an area of greenery and the smell of flowers. If you don’t have a gate on your property, add one, whether it be behind a garage or to the side of your house, add a gate. Let others wonder “whats behind the gate”. Below are photos of some lovely gates I saw on our last trip, and a photo of our english fence/gate in the snow this last January! Many of you that know me know that I kept my mother in my home while she was ill and every morning she would sit and drink coffee staring out into our backyard at the beautiful snow in January..these photos were taken during that time.. Once she passed away, 2 cardinals have been seen on the gate daily. Once I can capture them I will post that photo as well. I designed our curved iron english fence and gate, as it  may not be in England, it sure reminds and takes me there when I see it which makes me happy. The authentic street sign “High Street” is the term used for the “main streets” in England.The rest of the photos are of different gates I saw during my last trip to England. You never know whats “behind the gate”. Enjoy!