May 5. Our hotel in Liverpool, the Jury's Inn, is well situated at the dock lands. There is an optional guided city tour but we decide to explore on our own on foot. Some very nice restored buildings, new museums, new shopping malls, pedestrian streets redeveloped dock area, all in all a nice pleasant city. From Liverpool it's off to the Lake District for a ride on a steam train and boat cruise on Lake Windermere. The railway station has a small collection of early locomotives and other steam powered equipment. The lake cruise isn't especailly scenic but what is noticeable is the small number of houses and cottages along the shore. A good job of controlling development. Next up is the village of Grassmere. There is a slight drizzle but we walk to the old section of the village to see the stone houses and Dove Cottage, former home of William Woodsworth. The rain adds to the grayness of the stone buildings. Route Map