What’s Britain’s longest river?
What can someone take a three hour boat tour around? And finlly what lies
beneath its calm surface? All these and a few more burning issues will
hopefully be answered in today’s blog.
Basically the answer is Lake
Windermere and a lot of fish but little else. Leaving it at that wouldn’t be
very entertaining for you to read. So today I’m writing from the southernmost
point of the lake at a place imaginatively called the Lakeside. It has an
aquarium which I strolled round as I await my vessel to take me to the town of
Bowness. I’m not doing the three hour tour however as I have lots of important
things to do and little time (although nothing actually springs to mind).
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| My fine vessel the Teal |
Once seated on the fine boat the
Teal we begin to sail out and I realise actually I wouldn’t mind doing the full
three hours. It’s so relaxing just sitting here looking out the window watching
the world go by. The scenery is beautiful even in the torrential rain coming
down, yet the surface of the water still seems so calm. It’s so deep and still
it reflects everything right back off it like a mirror, creating a glorious effect with the
surrounding hills.
However these calm deep blue waters
may conceal a monster. Supposedly beneath me right now could be a beast! A
terrible Green monster with teeth the size of my arm, with jaws big enough to
catch this very ship and drag it down into the murky depths. A beast so
terrible he chooses to wear a bright yellow cap and rescue stranded children
instead if you believe the posters. I’m talking about Bow Nessie Lake
Windermere’s very own mythical creature. Nope I’d not heard of him either until
I saw the poster on the boat by which time it could have been too late for me! Clearly
he needs to get himself a better PR agent; perhaps the Loch Ness Monster can
suggest his.
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| By the time I'd seen this it was already too late!!! |
Monster hunting aside, what could
make this trip even better? Why a pot of tea and a couple of biscuits that’s
what. I stowed the biscuits away in my coat as I wanted to review them and what
better place to write than amongst this setting. The first biscuit is a
Starbuck’s Biscotti I bought on a whim. I’ve been meaning to try Biscotti for a
while, but whenever I have the chance I end up going for a chocolate wafer
instead. The second is a shortbread biscuit featuring a startled pumpkin I
purchased on one final outing to Bryson’s. Well it is Friday the 13th
so it seemed appropriate.
I know, I know much like these
cookies I crumbled (bad pun is bad) and returned to Bryson’s for a third time.
I can’t help it I’m addicted to their baked goods. At least I am admitting it
which is the first step to recovery. Also I need to stock up It’s nearly the
end of my trip and I need supplies to help with going cold turkey from the
great week.
So first up we have the Biscotti,
upon opening I’m not met with any smell which is slightly concerning but I
persevere. I am shocked at how solid these are; honestly they are more like
rocks than biscuit. I’m seriously concerned for my teeth on this one. Clearly
not too concerned, as I soon take a bite off the end. It tastes great with a
subtly sweet taste, the ends are slightly burnt too giving it a great toasted
taste. This goes towards the centre however replaced with almonds that add
their own flavour and crunch.
One thing that’s kept me from
purchasing I the past is how dull these look but they are actually pretty
varied. There’s even a slight whisper of orange but that could just be me. When
dipped the cookie gets damp but doesn’t fall apart, it also helps bring out the
sweetness and the nuts maintain some of its crunch. A very nice biscuit I will
definitely be buying more.
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| This biscuit kept evil at bay, also what you can't see is it was glittery. Useless but nice touch! |
Next up the Bryson’s pumpkin
biscuit, I think it’s shortbread but seems very thick (not that I’m
complaining). I take a bite and I’m immediately surprised at the icing, I had
expected it to be hard and brittle. Yet instead it’s soft and creamy as though
it had only just been applied. It has no taste of its own being mostly for show
and texture. This is a good thing however as it allows the taste of the cookie
to come through.
What a taste at that, it crumbles
and melts instantly with a freshly baked buttery taste that’s divine. When
dunked it does get a little soggy and you lose the satisfaction of melting it
in your mouth but it still tastes great. Bryson’s have done it again; I’m going
to miss those guys. (I would like to point out I am not getting paid by them
they just happen to be the bakery near my hotel.)
Overall it maybe Friday the 13th
but I’m anything but unlucky. Great scenery, great biscuits, great tea. It’s
amazing final day to my trip. Why do holidays have to end?
Score
Biscotti 5 out of 11
Pumpkin 7 out of 11
Found
Biscotti-Starbucks
Pumpkin- Bryson's bakery
Final thoughts
I wonder if a few shops I've been in recently have a delivery range of half the country?
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