There is a Viking burial ground here at Powter Howe (see accommodation below) and just behind it is a hill called Barf. You will see two large white rocks - one half-way up Barf, and one at the bottom. The higher one is called the Bishop, and the lower one The Clerk. They commemorate a deadly drinking session back in the 18th century at the Swan Inn (recently transformed into holiday apartments) during which the bibulous Bishop of Londonderry, doubtless across on diocesan duty, bet his clerk that he could beat him to the top of Barf. With that, they downed their glasses and set off. The Right Reverend keeled over and died half-way up, and the clerk pegged it at the bottom, and the stones are said to commemorate this foolhardy wager. I do not know whether they were on their way up, or on their way down. Informed readers are welcome to write in.

Thornthwaite overlooks Bassenthwaite Lake. Bassenthwaite is the only lake in the Lake District. This may seem strange, but all the other large expanses of H2O in the so-called Lake District are either 'Water' or 'Tarn'.

4. Thornthwaite		Back to
Keren Lockwood		Powter Howe, Thornthwaite, Braithwaite, nr Keswick, CA12 5SQ
Tel		017687 78415
Rooms		2D, 1T, 1S
B&B		£25
EM		Pub 3km
PL		By arrangement

Reopens in July 2007. 16th century farmhouse of great character with magnificent views over Bassenthwaite Lake towards Skiddaw. Set in two acres of mature garden, once visited never forgotten!