Our next drive, by United Kingdom standards, is a long drive along the west coast of Scotland through Dumfries and Galloway. It's an area of real beauty but if your intention is to see the Lakes then you wouldn't be doing the area any justice just driving through it.

We decided to take the motorway down to Carlisle then take the A595 towards Cockermouth and drive down through some smaller towns of Beattock, Dumfries, Cockermouth and to Keswick. This is a scenic route. Keswick is a traditional Lakeland market town where you will get plenty of opportunities to shop, eat and relax. Raided the chocolate and fudge shop. Purchased skirt from White Stuff.

England's largest National Park is a gem of a place to visit. There are breathtaking lakes, soaring mountains - known locally as 'fells', picturesque valleys and even sandy coastline. Passed through Ambleside but traffic jams prevailed.

Then on to Windermere. The surrounding area is arguably the most famous and popular area in the whole of the Lake District. There are a range of activities, attractions, places of interest and things to do around the lake, and on it! Lake Windermere is the largest lake in England. A dreary dull drizzly day when we stopped to look.

Windermere is a busy little town with a good variety of local shops. We stayed overnight here at Woodlands. Walked along the streets of Windermere where we bought fish and chips from 'The Little Chippee' Tasty. Met a couple from Chancellor Park sitting next to us.

Beatrix Potter is best known for her beautifully illustrated children's books of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck and friends. She spent many childhood holidays in the Lake District and these influenced her work. Did not visit.

*