In February 1895, tumbling temperatures saw Britain settle into a great frost', during which Windermere froze from end to end, allowing locals and visitors to enjoy a series of remarkable frost fairs.
One of those who captured the magic of the fairs was a young Arthur Ransome, who wrote in his autobiography:
"During those happy weeks, we spent the whole day on the ice, leaving the steely lake only at dusk when fires were already burning... our elders carried lanterns as they skated and shot about like fireflies."
Although the illustration adds some artistic license, ice yachts really did skim the surface of the lake; coaches, sleds, bicycles, and wheelchairs all took to the ice; and there were bands, food stalls, entertainment, and dancing... perhaps even a romantic proposal.
This puzzle was illustrated in Kendal and is produced in the EU
© Evelyn Sinclair 2024
www.sinclair-illustration.co.uk.