A pretty Cumbrian village . . .
. . . festive windows . . .
. . . and doors.
Ben, the friendly cat . . .
A fine local food market . . .
And a wonderful birthday meal.
In case you are wondering, the food at L’Enclume was just as amazing as you might imagine. We didn’t look at the menu, and really enjoyed the delicious surprises that all (ahem) seventeen courses of the tasting menu afforded. This was incredible food, impeccably presented, but I never felt that its theatre was pointless. In fact, in general L’Enclume struck us as being refreshingly grounded — from its use of local ingredients and suppliers, to the warmth and complete lack of stuffiness of its staff. As our holidays and meals are usually done on the cheap, camper-van style, the whole experience was a real treat for us and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.
Happy 40th birthday, Tom!
KDD & Co 
Hi Kate, Gorgeous pictures of Cartmel, it’s a lovely little place and one we live quite near. The Lakes is fantastic at this time of year and people make such an effort at Christmas. I have to say though that your camera work is so much better than mine and your pics always make places look so ‘alive’.
We do have some lovely wool shops in the area too. Glad you enjoyed your stay.
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your incredible photography of your travels is so inspiring! the images evoke a wistfulness for a slower and simpler life where it seems much purer than the brash australian heat and bright colour of the australian coast where i am. honestly, they make me almost envy the weather! happy new year and thank you for all your great contributions to knitting design in 2012. Can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store for you.
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Lovely pictures – you’ve added to my travel wish-list yet again.
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Same here!
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Ahh..Cartmel. I come from a town/city not far from Cartmel and it is beautiful. Next time I’m up I’d love to go to L’Enclume – heard great things about it. Hope you had a Happy Birthday and a great Christmas. 40 is looming for me next year too..ssshhhh
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Happy birthday tom,have a merry christmas and a great new year
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my book arrived
my book arrived!
Dec @24 just on time of Christmas
oh Kate it is beautiful!!!
Merry Christmas to you, Tom, Bruce and the kitty!
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Great way to spend a birthday. What a charming village. I love to know of good places to visit while D and I are there.
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Thank you for a lovely visit via pictures. I really enjoyed the simple Christmas decorations. Received your book for my recent birthday — it’s wonderful!
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Happy Birthday Tom and thanks for the beautiful photos!
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What a charming place, and with a handsome orange cat, too!
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Great photographs, but I’m certain an even better time spent !
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Lovely pictures! We spent a week in Cartmel last September, staying in Causeway Cottage, by the Pig and Whistle. The Rogan Brasserie served interesting food too.
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Sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate turning 40! I am taking notes as I will be doing the same in 2013. I am glad Tom is paving the way and setting a good example. Happiest Birthday, Tom, may it be a fantastic year for you! Cheers to you both!
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Thank you for the trip. The photos are beautiful. I’m afraid if my feet landed here, I’d never want to go home! ‘Tis the season of celebrating many birthdays, enjoy yours Tom!
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Hiow lovely to hear such a good report of a trip to my neck of the woods – most people only mention the lakes and mountains in Cumbria, but we have some wonderful hidden gems like Cartmel all around us. Living here in Eskdale is like being in an ever-changing holiday brochure and I count my lucky stars every day! Happy birthday Tom and best wishes to all.
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A lovely way to celebrate. Congratulations, Tom.
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The meal sounds delicious, and a well deserved treat for you both. Happy Birthday, Tom!
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Happy birthday to Tom! Love the photos, especially Ben. He looks so much like one of our kitties.
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What an elegant birthday dinner. Was Bruce staying in the hotel alone?
My book has arrived and I’m quite happy!!
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Happy Birthday Tom it looks like it was a lovely break. I think I need to show that sign to my guinea fowl next time they jump up and down on my roof telling me its dinner time :-)
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How wonderful! I think I love that town.
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What a pretty village! And as an ignorant American, can someone tell me what the lovely vine is that climbs up between the door and the window where Ben the cat is sitting and then hangs down over the door and windows? Is that by any chance wisteria, or something else? Even dormant for winter, I can catch a glimpse of how beautiful whatever it is must be!
And a very happy 40th birthday to Tom!
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What a lovely cozy winter birthday celebration this looks to have been! I’m glad that it was delicious, too!
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We often camp up near Cartmel, it is a lovely little village with some lovely walks – looks like you had a wonderful time.
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What a beautiful and perfect little village to enjoy! Your pictures are very nice too! I think I’ll go and see on a map where Cartmel is exactly…
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Your pictures are lovely. And I do like that sporting plaid coat(I suppose that is Tom?). Still waiting for my book-I ordered it right as you opened online. Will cross my fingers it comes next week.
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What a great way to celebrate a milestone birthday … and to end a milestone year in both your lives! It’s been a fun, full, wild ride – happy holidays to both of you, and I hope more good things ensue in 2013.
And Ben is the best!
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!!!
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Happy Birthday, Tom
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Seventeen courses! Sounds like the perfect birthday. You’re both mere babes. Hope you and Tom have many more delicious ones together.
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Elegance without stuffiness–the perfect combination.
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Cartmel’s lovely but I’ve never seen it in the day time! My partner plays at the Ship Inn from time to time so everything’s normally closed by the time we get there!
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After that description, I feel an urgent need to plan a trip to visit L’Enclume” to sample the 17 courses-and that’s from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. I’ve never had more than 10 courses at a sitting. All those different “tastes” must have been amazing and a wonderful way to celebrate a 40th birthday.
Cheers and red wine, Hazel.
P.S. My Colours of Shetland finally arrived on the 18th. Ignore my email query. Love the book and the patterns and the photography and the writing and…
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I’ve just had a look at the website ……. I think heavy hints are going to be dropped about a trip – perhaps to celebate our 30th anniversary of being together next month??!!
The food market looks wonderful too …… it’s just as well Malcolm is cooking dinner as I type this, as I am now hungry!
Glad you had such a lovely time celebrating Tom’s birthday!
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I like the subtle and beautifully simple Christmas decorations in this village. LED Christmas lights are gaining popularity in the U.S.A. now and they hurt one’s eyes because they are so bright. These photographs are just lovely.
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Happy Birthday Tom, I’ve only ever heard good things about L’ Enclume. what a lovely treat.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you both. ps, Kendal is only around the corner from Cartmel ;-)
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I’m so glad that you had a good time! My mouth is watering with the memory of the food from when we were there in June… I’m sure Nic is having the same experience! Jim and I are plotting to see if we might manage a sneaky trip there in February at half-term. Fingers crossed!
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what a beautiful village!
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Love the photos! What a beautiful place. All the best to you and yours.
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I wish I was there. Happy Birthday Tom. !!
Merry Christmas Kate to you and your family.
I can’t wait for my book to come in the mail.
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Thanks, Kate and Tom, for sharing such a beautiful village! I read your blog as much for the scenery as the knitting! Belated birthday wishes to Tom and a Merry Christmas to you both, and all the best in 2013. Pam
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Happy Birthday to Tom, and Merry Christmas to you both! Your pictures are so, so pretty. Thank you for sharing them. Also, I want to say thank you for the gift of your blog, your patterns, and now your book about Shetland. You are an incredibly talented woman!
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A significant birthday is a great occasion to splash out a bit – enjoy!
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So glad you have had a wonderful “getaway”!!!
It struck me as I was enjoying your post so much …that your holiday post and the photos you shared have been a really lovely gift to us! A very big thank you!!
Happy Birthday to Tom and Merry Christmas to you both!
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I love the pictures, beautifully done. Almost like being their. Would love to venture off the farm and head across the pond one day.
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Happy Birthday Tom!!! Wishing you and Kate all the best for the next year!!
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Happy birthday indeed. I enjoyed 40 immensely – and I hope Tom does too :) with good wishes for a hale & hearty year ahead.
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What a lovely place to celebrate………and NO snow :) we haven’t heard much re Jesus, the cat, lately, is he OK?
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How lovely. I have had the Cartmel Sticky toffee pudding and it is fab! Glad the birthday was a success. Happy Birthday, Tom.
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