September 11

On a date that’s synonymous with so much that is wrong with the world, I can tell you there’s still very much that is right with this beautiful world.  In particular the English Lakes district is absolutely stunning.  On a par with Lake Como in Italy but rather different – less glitzy, less Italian obviously. 

real coffee in a sachet that you tear open and pour over a filter - never seen 'em before - quite spiffy.

I went for a walk this afternoon on the fells (local for hills I guess) and got quite lost.  I could see the Mortal Man pub where I’m staying in the dim distance across the fells but couldn’t figure out how to get there.  Kept getting stymied by flooded tracks – water, water everywhere rushing lake-wards.  This classic English pub that I’m staying in is just over the hills from Ambleside on the shores of lake Windemere and I’m planning to walk there tomorrow.  I’m thinking it’s probably a full day walking there and back so hopefully I’ll get some sleep tonight – unlike last night.

I spent the past 2 nights in Leeds which didn’t look too bad, what little I saw of it, however my hotel – which was very smartly decorated and kitted out – had a very claustrophobic vibe to it and I just couldn’t relax there.  The corridors were all black and the carpet in the quite small room was also black.  As you’ll all know I’m a girl who’s fond of black, but this was just too much.  I don’t think it helped either that the room’s 3 very small windows were set well above eye level and looked directly out onto another building.  One thing though – the breakfasts were sensational.  Just everything was scrumptious and so delicious and of course I ate way too much of everything.

Now just briefly the reason for my going to Leeds was to interview the guru of the social model of disability, Professor Colin Barnes.  He didn’t invent the theory it but he did put it on the map.   Colin has charisma and was sensational to interview.  I just encouraged him to talk (which wasn’t hard) and off he went.  After a wonderful afternoon of chat we got away just after 5pm.  I can see him heading off down the stairs (“I don’t use lifts”) as I headed to the lift and he turned to me and said “make sure you give us a great film.”  Can you believe it I lay awake nearly all of last night in my black hotel room worrying about whether I can make him a great film.

Okay - it's moss but there's lots of it here and it's very green and pretty - and heart shaped

Beatrix Potter's veggie garden

Today I went to Beatrix Potter’s cute little farm called Hill Top – it was adorable and I don’t think it will keep me awake tonight.