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!!

Where's the Sun?

Hello, I am blogging from the Lake District! We arrived on Saturday after a long winded diversion (I am sure someone moves those diversion signs just for a laugh!)

Our accomadation is spot on and we woke early Sunday morning to rain so decided to do White Scar Caves. This was truly amazing and due to the heavy rainfall the underground streams and waterfalls within the cave system were very impressive, at one point we were bent double for 100m and had to do the squeeze (note to self: I need to slim down!!)

We spent 80 minutes down below ground and thought it was money well spent. Had our lunch and then went over to Hawes. It hasn't changed much, I spent 3 years working and living at the Youth Hostel and it brought back good memories. It was at Hawes that I met Diane.

Today the Sun was shining against all predictions so we went to South Lakes Animal Park which was amazing! All the animals are in compounds with fences but the public have the chance to view the animals from up high on walkways!!

My daughter loves giraffes and was in her element today as she got to feed them from the walkways. She was the happiest girl on earth! The entrance charge was expensive but it was worth it to see her face!!

We also saw the new baby rhino only 2 months old and also watched the tigers being fed. They are not fed in the traditional way (ie drop the meat in the compound and watch them feed) .... these tigers have their meat attached to poles 30 feet off the ground and it is amazing to see them climb up to get their meal!!

All in all it had been a good two days, tomorrow the weather is not forcasted to be good in the morning but the afternoon is supposed to be dry so Lake Windermere is calling and our son is hoping we will find him a skateboard park!!