Cymbeline at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre

This was the first time I was able to see this rarely performed play, The plot is highly complex but even for someone new it was simple to follow. It reminded me of Pericles that I also saw for the first time this year, in that everything is explained at the end. But unlike the crazy revelations in that play's final scene, Cymbeline makes perfect sense. Even though the programme confirms "some 30 denouements in the final scene - although only one of these is news to the audience".

What made this performance so enjoyable was how director Molly Still had kept us involved for the whole of the three hours. Not played for laughs (as was this year's Globe production according to the lady next to me), it captured a sense of unease and danger that possibly reflected the times we live in. But then love conquers all.

The cast was fine. Innogen is the main character and in her debut season for the RSC, Bethan Cullinane gave a thoughtful performance. An actress to watch out for. However, the stand out actor that evening was Romayne Andrews, an understudy, catapulted into the lead role of Posthmus. His lack of experience never showed and he deserved the applause from the cast at the end.

Behind the Scenes Tour at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Visiting Stratford for an evening performance of Cymbeline, I took the opportunity to go on the Behind the Scenes Tour in the late afternoon. This is an excellent way to see backstage. Our guide was very informative and answered all our questions.

The tour took us to see the  lighting and direction booths, before heading past the dressing rooms. We were then taken past the wardrobe department and wig making workshops, through to the new theatre auditorium.

We sat in the high seats of the main theatre and the Swan and watched preparations on the stage for the evening performances. Having already seen Doctor Faustus, it was great to see how the backcloth of a thin plastic material was put together on the floor in three taped panels before being  hoisted upright into position. Fantastic.

Tring Book Club- Sweet Caress by William Boyd

He may not write the best prose in the world, but boy can William Boyd tell a great story. I just find his novels so readable, the story just seems to flow. No pyrotechnics, but every page has interest. The life of Amory Clay is not always easy, but what trouble she encounters is usually self inflicted. But as the author "quotes" at the very start "from time to time - you feel life's sweet caress". Attractive, reckless, unreliable, intelligent. Amory is all these and much more.

How a lawn can recover

The lawn was in a poor state after the tree surgeon's men had been to work on the leylandii in March. Amazing how it can recover in just three months.

The Lake District - A Holiday in Grasmere

FRIDAY 8TH JULY
Our second successive year staying at Coachman's Cottage in Grasmere (the cottage on the left). We actually left home on the Friday so that we could see Alison's father on the way, staying in the guest suite at Adlington House on Friday night.

SATURDAY 9TH JULY
We were up early on Saturday morning to make our way to Longford Park in Manchester for the Stretford Parkrun. It was raining when we arrived and it didn't let up for the whole of the morning. Despite being drenched on the run, the mild temperature meant it was quite nice to be cooled down. So I did my best time since October. Well the course was dead flat.

We had a welcome shower at Alison's sister's house and a lovely lunch. Anne came with us when we headed for The Lakes and stayed two nights at the cottage.

SUNDAY 10TH JULY
Sunday was cloudy but at least it stayed dry and we walked from the cottage to Alcock Tarn passing Dove Cottage on the way.

As we gained height we had great views of Grasmere lake below.

Helm Crag is prominent from our ascent.

As is Grasmere itself.

Here we are at Alcock Tarn.

We were advised that the route down from Butter Crag was not possible as the bridge over the beck had been destroyed in the recent floods, so we went back the same way. This time the views over the valley were even better.

In the evening we had dinner at Dodds in Ambleside. You cannot book a table but we only had a very short wait at the bar before a table was free.

MONDAY 11TH JULY

Another cloudy but dry day. We parked in Ambleside and walked up to Low Pike from Scandale. A good view back to Windermere.

Ambleside comes into view.

A bit of a scramble at the top.

Only a light shower as we were having lunch near the top but brighter later.

We dropped Anne off at Windermere station in the late afternoon, but that still meant we had time to have tea and toasted bath buns (the best in the world) at The Apple Pie cafe in Ambleside.

TUESDAY 12TH JULY
The forecast was still OK so we drove to Keswick and (after a longish wait) took the ferry across Derwent Water to Hawes End where we started our walk up to Cat Bells.

Even early on there are some fine views.

Not a difficult climb so very popular.

We had lunch overlooking the end of Derwent Water.

A little detour part way up Maiden Moor and it was time to head back to Hawes End to catch the ferry back. The path down at the end of the lake is quite steep but then the path along the side of the fell just above the lake is superb. So much so I forgot to take a photo. So this is one just before Hawes End.

Back to Keswick having just made it for the last ferry. Alison posed by one of the Herdwick Sheep. Go Herdwick is a flock of 60 life size ewes that have been individually painted by sponsored artists that can be found all over The Lake District. Website is goherdwick.co.uk.

Here is another at Allan Bank.

And another in a shop in Grasmere.

Back to Keswick and tea and cake at Brysons. We have been to this great tearoom above their shop so many times. One more diversion before heading back to Grasmere. Alison wanted to see the Castlerigg Stone Circle just outside Keswick, finding directions at tourist information.

An English Heritage site that was far better than I imagined. The most beautiful setting.

And the sun came out.

WEDNESDAY 13TH JULY
A showery day was forecast so it was time for a run. We parked in Elterwater and, as we did last last year, ran the high path above Chapel Stile and then down into Great Langdale on a good path along the valley and a little way on the road past the Old Dungeon Gyhll Hotel. Then back the same way. Seven and a half miles with only one tiny shower.

The wet weather took the afternoon to arrive. Only light (John and Lyne Kirkbride who own Ryelands and Coachman's Cottage didn't really stop their gardening, apart from John showing me around the side of the property we had never seen before). I was actually glad of a rest after the run, although during a dry spell I walked up to the National Trust property at Allan Bank.

With some nice photos of the cottage below.

Into Ambleside for dinner, this time at the great Thai Restaurant that is Doi Intanon. Despite it being very busy, they found us a table upstairs where we had never been before. A superb meal, great value and excellent service.

THURSDAY 14TH JULY
We had saved our big walk for the best day weather wise. We have walked up to High Street before but the last time was sixteen years ago! We had planned to park in Hartsop but the car park was full. However parking in Patterdale meant we could do a slightly different route at the start. And a very nice path up.

At the junction of paths at Boardale Hause (399m) we took the last on the right up to Angle Tarn. We were glad of our new OS map and compass. The route is a little up and down but eventually you reach this really pretty tarn at over 500m.

There are some great views of Martindale.

Finally the path winds around The Knott (where we stopped for lunch) and joins the old Roman Road of High Street that runs all the way to Penrith. There is a cairn at 828m and this may be it.

Alison on an old bit of Roman road, probably on Racecourse Hill somewhere near the summit of this flat topped fell. You can just see Windermere in the far distance.

At last we reached Thornthwaite Beacon and a better views of Windermere and Morecambe Bay beyond.

As well as views to Helvellyn, Catsye Cam and the Scafell range. We met an experienced fell walker who pointed out all the mountains around us.

It was 3pm and time to head back the way we came.

Looking down on Hayeswater in the afternoon sunshine was very nice.

It was sunny for nearly all our descent. The views were even better going down than going up, especially those of Angle Tarn, Brother's Water and Ullswater.

We were back at the car about 6.15pm. The walk had taken us about seven and a quarter hours. I was very glad we had done some shorter walks earlier on in the week. The profile below shows a different ascent to ours, but Thornthwaite Beacon is the top of the slope between miles 5 and 6. Our route took us back to mile 12 so that would be 13 miles overall plus a mile for ascents and descents.

FRIDAY 15TH JULY
We knew from the forecast that Friday would be wet. And it was. Glad in a way to have a restful morning after the long walk on Thursday. Alison actually went for a run while I walked around Grasmere with my brolly. Then into Ambleside and lunch at Dodds as The Apple Pie was busy. Back to the cottage for a quiet afternoon and packing for our early start the next day.

SATURDAY 16TH JULY
A lovely morning at the National Trust property Fell Foot Park at the bottom of Lake Windermere for the 9am Parkrun. Alison ran with me for the first mile which was nice. It is quite hilly so no fast times, but very enjoyable. Then bacon and sausage rolls in the cafe before heading home. A really great week.

Coachman's Cottage - Grasmere

In the grounds of the main property Ryelands on the edge of Grasmere sits the detached Coachman's Cottage. All the accommodation is on the first floor, the ground floor taken up with a large utility/drying room and a place for wet boots. The following photo is taken from near Allan Bank.

The living rooms has huge windows on three sides. The first looks up at Silver How, Allan Bank and Helm Crag.

From the second you can see Helm Crag, Seat Sandal and Stone Arthur.

The third window looks out over the front of Ryelands to Heron Pike in the distance with Alcock Tarn and Butter Crag behind the trees.

All the three photos above are taken through the windows. This year we were kept entertained by the cows being herded to their pasture behind our cottage.

And back again at the end of the day.