Rambling around England.

[drron]

So a bit of a rest and then time for dinner. Trying to cut down on our intake so mrsdrron just had the scallop entree but I had the steak. Cooked as ordered ,tender and tasty.



Then desserts. Rhubarb tart for mrs drron and lemon tart for me.



The dining room.

 

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Back down to the dining room for breakfast.





Smashed avo and a poached egg for Mrsdrron and smoked salmon and eggs benedict for me.




Not to bad. A relaxing stay but now time to head for the Lakes district.

 

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So off on our trip to the Lakes. Google maps got it totally wrong suggesting a route rambling through the countryside which would take us 7 hours. Fortunately the car's GPS suggested a more direct route and even with stops and not exceeding the speed limits we got there in half the time. Stopped at this Service Area as the construction looked like it might just have some history. Apparently not. I wouldn't suggest a stop there as filthy and not much that was good. As with all service centres on the Motorway the fuel price was much higher than in the towns Here it was 1.89 p0unds but in Exeter later 1.54 pounds a litre.


It also meant we had time to drive to Keswick to re visit the Derwent pencils factory. It wasn't where it was and the only place was a pencil museum. Sad. But the drive as usual very picturesque. Unfortunately very few places you could stop as all pullovers were full of people out hiking. But some pics.

 

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Some more countryside.


But it was soon time to arrive at our destination - the Samling hotel. We stayed here in 2014 when I had not long before had a knee replacement and mrsdrron was in a moon boot. You can look back at that by searching for Cripples on tour in the Trip Reports forum. We had loved that stay and as fate would have it we were allocated the same room this time. Though the patriarch of the family that owned it then died in 2017 and it was sold to someone with deep pockets as it has been extensively renovated. Has lost some of the old charm but more than made up with the new facilities.





You never get sick of the views.


.

 

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When we stayed in 2014 the room was called the Blue room as it was predominantly blue. Now it is Rydal Waters. Here it is.





The view when on the throne.


And standing in the shower.


As it was the last time it was the view from the bedroom that we loved.

 

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Downstairs for a pre dinner drink. The lounge has certainly changed a lot but very comfortable.




Then through to the restaurant. It certainly has been extended with a new all glass wall giving it magnificent views.



This was the part of the stay we were worried about as in 2014 the restaurant had a Michelin star and it was excellent so we ate there both nights of our stay. It does not have a star now and it is a set menu. You are shown a menu on arrival but did not get one in the restaurant so unfortunately my memory will not allow an accurate description of the meal but a menu can be looked at on their website but unfortunately not the one we had. I had researched the team they have there and the Executive chef had spent some time at the Gidleigh Park Hotel where we had eaten in the 2 star Michelin restaurant and enjoyed it immensely. They also have a new Head Chef as a month or so ago they added a second less formal restaurant. He had spent a few years at Gilpin.

https://www.thesamlinghotel.co.uk/the-samlings-new-executive-head-chef-robby-jenks/

Carl Wild appointed head chef at The Samling in Windermere | News | The Good Food Guide

| Good Food Guide News

www.thegoodfoodguide.co.uk

First a 2 part amuse bouche with a salmon mousse with something else served in a rambutan and basically foie gras spring rolls.

 

[drron]

This dish was enjoyable and served well. Another fish dish with caviar.



The breads freshly baked and good.


Then a foie gras dish. Excellent.




Langoustine.


Then halibut with a pea sauce with caramelised hazel nuts plus some other ingredients.


My final picture with the last of the mains -hogget.


Very strong flavour and not the most enjoyable dish. Also now it was getting close to 10pm. We had been at it 3 hours. very slow service which hopefully they can improve as nearly all the serving sataff were inexperienced. But Mrsdrron had had enough. It was way past her bed time. We did have the 2 desserts but no pictures. We would not eat here again. Most of the meal though was very good. But it lacked in the service area which mainly was close to robotic. This was in stark contrast to our previous stay when the manager was a tall thin Englishman and there was a waiter from Portugal called Manuel. They were a class act.

 

[drron]

the history of the Samling.




I did a little walk in the woods and the only sqirrel we saw was a grey one on the lawn while eating dinner.
But the next day and down to breakfast.


Mrsdrron had the pancakes and I the coughbrian breakfast with some nice black pudding.

 

[drron]

After breakfast we went for a walk around the gardens.

 

[drron]

Late morning we went to a partner garden of the RHS. However you don't have to pay admission as entry is a voluntary donation only. But the lady was thrilled to have 2 visitors from the real club and Aussies to boot.

 

[drron]

I went up to their work area where they propogate plants but also rehab in the plant hospital. They have National collections of several species including Ericas which include heather as well as quite a few Aussie varieties. Agapanthus as well.

 

[drron]

 

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Beautiful colours and views.

 

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The National Ericaceae collection.








Many large nests around the place.

 

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The last of the flowers. But first the private house on the property.

 

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Next door to the gardens a lovely building that had been a hotel or B&B but now is for lease.







We now headed off to the village of Troutbeck where there was a National Trust property.

 

[drron]

The village though was along one of those only just 1 lane lanes with many blind corners. When we got there there was not only housing construction going on including the National trust property but roadworks and no parking so we beat a retreat to the better road and stopped at one of Troutbeck's churches which actually had a parking spot right outside.




and I wandered around the cemetery and their were views to Troutbeck on the hill.



.

 

[drron]

Now off to dinner at the Samling's second restaurant. Converted an old barn and one wall replaced by glass. Impressive. A bit of a pleasant walk from the main building. The scenes on the walk.





There is now a short golf course.



The view from the restaurant.

 

[drron]

And more views throughout the meal.

 

[drron]

And now to the menu and meal.





Mrsdrron had the tiger prawns and the mushroom ravioli. Both excellent.



Whilst I had the salmon entree and the beef fillet with cheesy truffled chips both also excellent.




Mrsdrron then had the Tahitian vanilla creme and I the cheese board.



This was much better for us. Really good service and able to talk to the manager and staff. The food was excellent.