and a pair of shiny galoshes; he took
his rod and basket, and set off with
enormous hops to the place where he
kept his boat.'
When in the Lake District you simply have to visit Hilltop farm, the home of Beatrix Potter, illustrator and writer. I think we all read or were read her little books when we were young, and enjoyed the tales of Peter Rabbit, mr Jeremy Fisher, Johnny town-mouse and many others.
So it was that on a warm spring day in May we drove through the village of Hawkshead, parked our car and walked the short distance up to the house. I thought it would be incredibly busy, but there were only a handful of people waiting for the gate to open. Such a relieve to walk through the house undisturbed, and take it all in. Somehow I had always imagined the house to be large and light, but the ceilings were low and the rooms tiny, but all decorated in a simple, but sweet way. I enjoyed walking from room to room, see her writing desk and bedroom, the paintings on the walls, and to walk through her garden before leaving.
We only stayed for a week in the Lake District, but it's beauty left a lasting impression. Just as it had done on Beatrice, when she first visited the lake district with her parents as a teenager. With the profits from her books she not only bought hilltop farm, but more farms and estates in the surrounding countryside as well. When she died in 1943, aged 77, she left fourteen farms and 4000 acres to the National trust, for us to enjoy.
I will take my daughters there this summer, so that they can see the beauty of the lakes for themselves. And perhaps, you never know, we will see see Peter Rabbit running through the fields in his blue jacket, or mr Jeremy Fisher sitting at the edge of a pond.
Have a good time!
Love,
Madelief x
* My photo's were taken at Hilltop farm, Hawkshead and the surrounding countryside.
