Lakes... and cakes!!!

Tuesday 12th - we went up to Lake Windermere and had a gorgeous (but rainy) cruise! We then went for a wander around Bowness and our son bought himself a 'buff' which he says is cool! The girls also wanted to so some shopping but I had a strop and said no!!

We found a lovely local cafe and had an excellant cuppa and cakes!

Wednesday 13th - we awoke to sunshine and so decided to put on our walking boots and we took a steep but rewarding walk up to the top of Brantfell. The views were stunning - we could see all the length of lake Windermere and we could even see Morcambe Bay in the south! We continued on to Post Knotte and once again were rewarded with fab views from the top.

That afternoon we took the car ferry across Windermere as we wanted to go to Hill Top Farm (former home of Beatrix Potter) however every other person in the Lakes that day must have had the same idea and the car park and every other available layby were full to capacity!

Instead we continued on to Ambleside and found ourselves a smashing tea room called The Giggling Goose and had the best home made Bakewell Tart I have ever tasted!!!

Thursday was a poor day!! The weather wasn't good so we went over to Barrow-In-Furness. Not much to see there though so it was lucky that in the afternoon the weather improved! We went back into Bowness and found Fell Foot Park - a beautiful lakeside park with boating and a fabulous tea room (Yes - another one!).

Friday 15th - Once again we awoke to glorious sunshine and so packed the car with walking boots, packed lunch, camera and wallet!! We went back to Fell Foot Park where we hired a rowing boat - what a laugh that was! We all took a turn and found ourselves having to steer out of reeds and away from the side - as well as having to avoid steamers! Diane was the best as she used to row in competitions when she was younger!! Our daughter seems to have a future as a budding coxwain - she seems to have a gift for shouting orders - usually ending in '... and ROW!'

After eating lunch lakeside we just found room for a very nice cake in the tea room!

Back in the car and we headed up to Aria Force near Ullswater, wow what a drive! We took the Kirkstone Pass and the views were absolutely breathtaking!

We had a great walk up to the waterfall and stood in awe at the force of the water as it came down in torents - it made it's own rainbow - stunning - this time we didn't stop for a cuppa and cake as waistline has expanded massively this week!

We did however stop off at the best fish and chip shop in Bowness called 'Seafarers' and had our tea!!

Well, here we are - it's Friday night already and we are all packed up and ready to roll. It has been a good week and the lakes have been lovely but we have all decided that we are missing Cornwall and so will be going back 'home' to St Ives next year!!