{"id":1004,"date":"2019-02-06T22:47:34","date_gmt":"2019-02-06T21:47:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meer-bitte.de\/?p=1004"},"modified":"2019-02-10T00:29:37","modified_gmt":"2019-02-09T23:29:37","slug":"im-land-der-kelten-unser-erster-trip-in-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/meer-bitte.de\/en\/2019\/02\/06\/im-land-der-kelten-unser-erster-trip-in-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"IN THE LAND OF THE CELTS – OUR FIRST TRIP IN 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Unfortunately there are no mountains or even hills in Florida. The Lake District in England on the other hand, offers a welcomed change for us regarding the landscape. In today\u2019s article I am going to tell you what we did in England, how we survived those freezing temperatures and what makes the Lake District so special.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why we decided to visit England just in the dead of winter, I do not remember exactly. BUT, even at this merciless season, the Lake District shows off its beautiful, but also treacherous side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHY ENGLAND?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Rydal Water in Lake District.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That is an excellent question. Why do we travel to England and not to Germany to our family and friends? Some may already know, that my husband is English. That is why we still have family on the island and of course, we want to see them, too. Last time we’ve visited our second home was in November 2017. Also a cold season\u2026 memo to me: “Next time, we should stop by during spring or summer.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have come to know and love England and especially London, since my school trip in 2005. I felt right at home in the land of the Celts and am still fascinated by the stories and myths that surround this country. No wonder that I married an Englishman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ON THE WAY TO OUR SECOND HOME<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Sunrise in Tebay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On January 18, 2019, we drove to Miami International Airport inkluding our doggo. Luckily we\u2019ve planed three hours in total for everything. Because first, we needed twice as long to get to the airport due to traffic jam. Second, because of the unnecessary government shutdown the security staff at the airport was heavily understaffed. It was a hot mess at the airport. So many people were just waiting in line for security. Just wait \u2026 there is more. Since we travel with our dog, we had to go to another check-in counter, where an extremely accurate employee wasted 30 minutes of our lives. I tell you, she was looking for a mistake and was highly motivated in finding one. But we were super prepared and everything worked out. On the subject of “Traveling with a dog” I am going to write a separate post, because it is pretty detailed and does not quite fit at this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was getting more and more worried, that we would not make it to our gate in time. At the security checkpoint, the queues were neverending long and travelers were annoyed. Rightly so. We did not even wait in line for two minutes, when we suddenly heard two airport workers talking about a third security area to go to, if you need to go to gates XY. And we actually needed to go to one of those gates. So, off we went to the other end of the terminal \u2026 where else? As we suspected, there was hardly any hustle going on there. After about ten minutes, we actually got through security. But don\u2019t assume that the employees at the airport made an announcement or something similar in order to let people know about this \u201esecret\u201c security checkpoint\u2026 they really don\u2019t care. Travelers are late or extremely stressed. All this could have been easily avoided by making a simple corresponding announcement. I have no words for this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At least our dog is comfortable. (She was just for this picture on my seat. She spent the whole flight on the floor or our laps.) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We flew from Miami directly to Paris. Once we\u2019ve arrived we picked up our rental car without any problems and drove to the Eurotunnel, wich is located in Coquelles. There you go through the French and English passport control. Afterwards you drive onto the train and lean back. Within 25 minutes you are in England. Crazy\u2026 I know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Eurotunnel is with its 31 miles (50 Kilometers) the longest underwater tunnel in the world. On average, the tunnel is located 130 feet (40 meters) below sea level, where the deepest point is 264 feet (75 meters).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Once we arrived in Folkestone, England we have to drive on the left handed side of the road and under no circumstances too fast! That is going to cost you. With the cruise control all set, it took us about two hours til London, where we spent the night in a hotel. It was a long day and we needed to rest. The next morning we overslept like two hours even though we set our alarm clock. Amazing how the body just takes the sleep you need. Regardless of meetings you might have. Our dog slept the whole time as well. She is such a lazy puppy and probably did not want to go out into the cold. Fair enough. In the afternoon we finally headed for the Lake District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six hours later we reached our destination. We spent the entire week with family and friends. Whereby we really enjoyed nature and the famous English pub culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE LAKE DISTRICT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Where are the elves and leprechauns?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Lake District National Park is located in northwest England in County Cumbria. I have been in the national park, which covers an area of \u200b\u200b583,747 acres, four times by now. I am truly enchanted every single time. There is so much to discover and my vivid imagination gets particularly inspired. I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if I encountered elves or leprechauns in the forest, or watching mythical creatures emerge from the vast lakes. Apperently I am not the only one who feels that way. The poet William Wordsworth was so enthusiastic about this region that he wrote several poems about this magical landscape. Beatrix Potter, the creator of Peter Rabbit (quite enchanting), also found her inspiration in the Lake District. She even owned land there and, after her death, bequeath it to the National Trust. Thus, the land could be preserved in its natural origin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Walk along River Luna.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The people in the Lake District have a very deep connection to this landscape and have fortunately recognized early on, that this enchanting nature must be protected from industrial and commercial use. Because of this, most of the Lake District was declared a National Park in 1951. otherwise, this wonderfully varied landscape wouldn\u2019t have been preserved in its full splendor until today, let alone accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since July 2017, the “Lakes” – as the locals like to call this area – belong to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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WHAT MAKES THE LAKE DISTRICT SO SPECIAL?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I suppose, apart from the fantastic landscape that strangely reminds me of New Zealand, the Lake District offers something for everyone. There are 834 miles of trails to explore, more than 150 mountains and hills to climb and 16 huge lakes invite you to a boat trip or even a dive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MOUNTAINS<\/strong>
Due to the high number of mountains, this region is actually called the “English Switzerland”. There are four mountains at over 2950 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest elevations in England. At 3208 feet, Scafell Pike is the highest mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On top of Loughrigg Fell (1099 feet).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

LAKES<\/strong>
The formation of the deep blue lakes is also a special feature, because through the existing volcanic rock, water can not drain-away. As a result of heavy rainfall over time, the deep valleys of the district were filled with water and formed 16 large bodies of water. That’s why, strictly speaking, there is only one official lake. This is the Bassenthwaite Lake. All the other lakes are waters, meres or tarns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ANIMALS<\/strong>
Farm animals as well as the wild animals seem to feel well here. I give you a 100% guarantee that you will see sheep. There are more than enough of them there. In March and April you will even see many lambs jumping around in the fields. But also cows, goats, horses and even alpacas are part of the landscape of the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheep are everywhere.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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If you are lucky, you can even spot red deer and birds of prey.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

EATING<\/strong>
By the way, gourmets are not missing out here either. In the Lake District there are four restaurants that have been awarded a Michelin star. It refers to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n