Restoration projects:-

Model of old Windermere ferry, with cargo of horse-drawn carriage:-

There is a large Boathouse at the Jetty Museum containing several boats which once plied the lake’s waters:-

The lake from the Museum’s jetty:-

Sailing boat:-

Painting of boats on Windermere:-

Exhibits and memorabilia:-

A more modern launch:-

White Lady II. This sank 120 feet to the bottom of the lake in 1937 and was salvaged in 1982:-

Henry Segrave’s seat from Miss England II, plus lifejacket, helmet and goggles 1930, stopwatch holder, windscreen housing and cleat from Miss England II.:-

Canfly; the boat is unique because it was built for the engine:-

Rob Roy canoe, designed for solo trips:-

The Jetty Museum, Windermere, like Blackwell, is run by Lakeland Arts. It covers the hostory of boating on the lake over 2oo years.

We found the contents very interesting, the experience better than we had expected.

The most imposing exhibit when you enter the main part of the museum is the motor launch, Branksome, whose rear is the first bit you encounter:-

Prow of Branksome:-

Tea setting inside Branksome:-

There is also a model of Branksome in a glass case beside a photograph of a hydroplane on the lake:-

Speedboats on wall behind Branksome:-

Glider and speedboat:-

Hanging on the wall just by the entrance door (and seen behind Branksome’s funnel in photo 3 above) is Beatrix Potter’s Rowing Boat:-

You could be forgiven for thinking I had gone to the Lake District and not visited any lakes, but of course I did.

En route to Cockermouth we passed Bassenthwaite Lake which is large but flat looking if you know what I mean.

We passed Thirlmere, a pretty enough lake but nothing spectacular, in order to visit Grasmere, lake and village, where we sampled the “famous Grasmere gingerbread.”

We also climbed up to Allan Bank, a house which William Wordsworth once rented.

From the left hand side of the house as seen above I took three photos of the lake and village, stitched into the one below.

The lake itself is little more than a puddle but the village is a delightful wee place.

Then onwards, up and over from the A591 to the A592 a very steep ascent giving me the opportunity to photograph Lake Windermere. Again a stitch (of two this time.)

We then kept on up the A592 travelling almost the full length of Ullswater – which is impressive, if not quite as magnificent as most Scottish fresh-water lochs. Particularly appealing were the tourist pleasure boats plying the lake, reminding me of the Loch Lomond of my youth and a trip to Loch Katrine about 12 years ago. It was raining by that time though and we didn’t stop. Perhaps next time.