An Unplanned Day Out

Despite the damp, autumnal weather we ventured out on Saturday and went to a quiet corner of Cumbria to avoid the day trippers. With no real plan for the day, we stumbled on some unexpected treats.

At Abi and Tom's Plant Centre the striking Dahlias were putting on a good show

The rain had made a little pool on each curved petal

This hungry aphid was drawn to the bright yellow flower

A spiky 'Cactus Dahlia'

As we left Abi and Tom's we noticed a sign 'Halecat Pottery Open' and spent an interesting half hour chatting to the potter, Lara Clahane, before buying a couple of items

In the grounds of Halecat House there was a sculpture trail which we followed for about a mile through the woods, admiring the many wood and stone sculptures created by local artists

This ambitious snail seemed to have lost his way

We're looking forward to some blackberrying this year

Halecat and the entire Lyth Valley area have plenty of apple trees - it looks like this year will be a bumper crop

After lunch at Yew Tree Barn we stopped off at Grange-over-Sands where we watched the heavy storm clouds gathering over Morecambe Bay

Despite the weather we could clearly see the buildings of Morecambe on the horizon, about 10 miles away
As the heavier rain began we set off for home and, having avoided the more popular places, had a trouble-free drive. A pot of coffee was calling!