Herding Ducks, Yes Ducks

Today, we had a bit of early morning relief. This bus was not scheduled to leave until 9:30 am. But once we started, it was another full day with a fun surprise at the end.

We started our touring at Leven’s Hall, a manor house in the Kent valley, near the village of Leven and 5 miles south of Kendal in Cumbria, Northern England. The home dates back to the 13th century and has such interesting features as one dining room with leather walls. As is the case with most of these houses, not photographs are allowed inside. Impressive as the house is, it is the garden that is breathtaking. The garden dates to the 18th Century and contains an amazing variety of formal gardens. It is notable, perhaps, for the spectacular topiary in the garden. With a team of four part-time gardeners and a host of volunteers, the topiary receives the best of care throughout the year.

Assistant Gardner Josh gave a great tour.

After a lunch at Leven’s Hall, we took a short ride to Lake Windermere where our vacation became official. According to Katie Grant Drew, a vacation is not official until it includes a boat ride of some description. We boarded our boat and sailed up the lake to a destination close to our hotel. Now our vacation is official.

Our Boat (Center) - Photo courtesy of Bruce Messenger

Expanding our fun, we left the boat and hopped on a steam locomotive train that took us to within a a few hundred yards of our hotel. The train was part of the Lakeside Haverthwaite Railway.

Exiting the train, we were advised to be outside at the back of our hotel for the surprise of the day. It was indeed a surprise when we discovered that we were to see a demonstration of sheep dogs — herding ducks. DUCKS? Yep. We witnessed three very talented sheep dogs herding a small flock of Indian Runner Ducks around an obstacle course in a small field behind our hotel. Why ducks?  It is easier to transport a dozen ducks that a dozen sheep. They put on a great show.

That ended our day but the evening held more fun. We had a Pub Night, complete with a trivia contest. Our table of six, the Sheep Dogs, competed against a bunch of tables of four but, alas, we did not win. We had a lot more fun than the other tables and I think that was the point. Our unofficial table captain, Bruce, took the loss pretty hard so, at the direction of The Lady,  I dialed up YouTube and played “Let it Go” for him, much to the delight of the rest of the table.

We are on the move tomorrow, and I think another country will be in our sights. Come along with us and see.