As soon as we were allowed to holiday with friends, we packed up the car, loaded the Besties two dogs and we were off 💨 🚀. Our final destination, the Lake District is some six hours drive from home, so we had a planned overnight stop in Warwick.

 

What a beautiful setting. The cottage backed on to the canal and we sat, sipping a cuppa, watching canal boats chugging up and down stream. With the toss up for the bedrooms sorted, we took a late afternoon stroll into Warwick city centre, passed quaint old buildings and cobbled streets, on to the castle.

Circling the castle grounds we were greeted by the squawking of peacocks. With the Bestie replicating their calls, they raised their fan like feathers aloft in response and strutted through the gardens, posing for photos. We strutted on passed and back onto the city streets, stumbling across a hostelry which beckoned us into its garden for a very welcome pint of cider. Would be rude not to🤣.

After breakfast, a wander along the canal and through the park to exercise the dogs, we climbed aboard the car for the final leg of our journey to Cumbria.

Once again our cottage was in a beautiful setting overlooking fields and some of the mountains of Cumbria. After exploring the property and a cuppa in the garden, it was off to the local beach towards Sellafield to stretch our legs and give the dogs a run. In the evening, with our pre ordered Gusto food delivery ( other food delivery services are available) waiting on the doorstep as we arrived, all we needed to do was unpack, eat and watch the sun setting behind the cottage. 💕

The next morning the adventure began, but as headed towards Bowness on Windemere, we had no notion quite what sort of adventure it would be 😳.

From the banks of the lake, the views were stunning, birds filling the skies, sailing boats twisting their way across the water and larger ferries taking the tourists, who were out in force, on tours of the lake. As we sat for lunch, the thunderous sound of American Air Force planes resounded across the lake as they flashed low above our heads. They were so fast, I didn’t have time to turn my camera on let alone get a photo 🙄.

We took a ferry trip to Ambleside, learning some of the history of Windemere along the way. Having visited before the Besties took us on an amble to see the beautiful waterfalls, feeding the lake. They were gorgeous, but the amble had been longer than they remembered and with current restrictions ferry trips had a set time rather than the usual hop on hop off, and we had to scuttle back to catch ours. As the Bestie ran along the quay the crew were just untying the ropes and she persuaded them to wait for the rest of us. There was however a bit of confusion with the time of our ticket and the Captain decided to leave us on the quayside and make us wait for the next boat 🤣🤣🤣.

We didn’t fair much better with the next boat, as we got ticked off when the hubby and I sat on the bench in front of the Besties, to get a better view, and we’re told we had to sit together!! It seemed a slow return journey and I still didn’t get a photo as the Air Force flew over again.

Back on terra firma we decided we needed to view Windemere from on high and made our way up to the viewpoint at Orrest Head. At just 239 metres high it’s a mere baby in the Lake District, but it’s rocky, windy paths didn’t make easy climbing for four Grandparents, with creeking knees, sciatica and old backs. But it was so worth the effort as we looked out over the breathtaking views of the lake and across to Great Gable and Scaffell Pike.

A more leisurely stroll down the hill gave us time to spend trying to get the dogs to pose for a photo. It was thwarted several times with my hubby distracting them by trying to get his water bottle out of his rucksack 🙄

Now the Bestie is always up for making the most of every adventure, so she suggested rather than go home the same way we came, we could head towards the north of the lake and take in the scenery down the other side. And why not? With the winding narrow roads the 25 mile journey would take around 1 1/4 hours.

So off we set, sat nav programmed, map book in hand, what could go wrong? ……. Well we must have taken a wrong turning and ended up on the narrowest road, it seemed like in the World, but turned out to be Hardknott Pass and one of the steepest in the country, with the steepest of drops on either side.

There were cars parked in various lay-bys, their occupants enjoying the views so we kept feeling it must get easier to drive. Unfortunately it didn’t. 😳. The Bestie driving started gripping the steering wheel tighter, the hubby and I just kept giggling (in fear 😧) and the Bestie, in the back with me, just got quieter and quieter as we edged further along the roller coaster ride, not daring to peer over the sides. We came to a fork in the road, the sat nav wanted to take us right up a 30% gradient!!! The driver couldn’t take anymore. Fortunately there were a few houses on the left and knocking on the door, we were told we could take the left hand fork and be back on some main roads in about 5 miles. Phew. It wasn’t plain sailing though and we did come face to face with a speeding tractor over a humped back bridge. Fortunately there was a little lay by behind us, so we allowed him to pass (actually we didn’t have any choice, because he wasn’t budging).

We finally got back on course and found our way home, arriving 2 1/2 hours later, BUT safe. We spent that evening, eating and drinking in the safety of home 🤣🤣

The next few days were less dramatic. We found lots of circular walks, taking in the beautiful Lake District, the dogs panting as they ran along side, us taking a leisurely climb up the steep hills, fell runners of all ages breezing passed us, making the ascents look easy. But the climbs were always worth it for the spectacular scenery.

We only had one wet day, but we donned the wet weather gear and headed off to the coast. It was a bit blustery as the wind swept in from the sea and lashed against the harbour wall. Having a small head, the hood of my jacket annoyingly drops over my eyes and I always fold the peak back so that I can see where I’m going! Bearing in mind I’ve had this jacket for 3 – 4 years, on this particular walk, my hubby spotted a toggle on the back of my hood. On pulling it, it tightened the hood, pulling it off my face and “voila” I could see 🤣🤣🤣🤣. Oh dear, I do wonder sometimes if we should be let out on our own.

Prior to our trip, I had a vague notion that we would attempt a climb of the famous Scaffell Pike. My fellow travellers were less optimistic, and they were probably right. The day we headed over just to take a look was a bit misty and when we asked one of a group of hikers to point out the Pike, his eyes nearly popped out of his head as he thought we were looking to climb it 🤣🤣🤣 We had to admit we were just looking to take a photo.

So aspirations dashed, we headed to Coniston water, where Donald Campbell broke the water speed record, but also sadly perished. Coniston Water was not as open to visitors as Windemere. There are only small sections you can walk around the famous lake. But the areas you can walk,  again have magical views. We made a small attempt to climb The Old Man of Coniston , but it was very steep and my Old Man decided to opt out.

After a fabulous week, taking some fabulous walks, surrounded by fabulous scenery, with some fabulous weather, we decided to stay closer to home on our last day. We found a circular walk, which we could start from our front door and end at the pub down the road. Perfect.🥂🍻

Walking alongside the river bank, some of the fields were a bit boggy and slippery under foot. As we climbed a stile, the Bestie grabbed a post, which was very wobbly, but her hubby took her hand to help her over. Bless him he waited to do the same for me, but didn’t realise I was going to be silly enough to grab the same post, almost falling over into the mire beyond, and taking him with me 😳. Fortunately he found it as hilarious as I did.

The walk took us across lots of fields, some filled with bluebells, some with sheep and others with cows who stopped munching the lush grass to watch us pass. We entered another field housing some young highland cattle. We stood back as they headed across in front of us to the top of the field. As we continued our walk, they started to become more interested in us and menacingly started walking towards us. We were a bit perturbed, and concerned for the dogs, so without wanting to run we picked up our walking speed, heading for the gate. The cattle started to trot and as they got closer the Bestie picked up his smallest dog and ran to open the gate. We all managed to get through with the other dog and shut the gate just as they reached us. Scary few moments, but very funny after the event. And it justified the pint in the pub at the end of the walk.

Sadly that was the last adventure of our fun filled week in the Lake District, where I’d clocked up walking 111040 steps and 69.95 km (43.5 miles). Good job really to compensate all the good food and wine I’d also partaken in. 

All was not quite over as we headed down to Stratford-Upon-Avon for an overnight stop to break our journey home. Now gosh is that another beautiful town. As we walked along the canal, we were surrounded by hundreds of swans, many protecting tiny cygnets. The century’s old buildings, including Shakespeare’s birthplace and home, have been beautifully maintained and merge gracefully with modern day living.

It was early evening, so most places, apart from the eateries, were closed. As my hubby shook a young Willy’s hand in Bancroft Gardens, we all agreed we would return to enjoy the sights and history of this lovely town.

 

After 15 months of disappointments,  with cancellations and rescheduling of trips, it was wonderful to get away. This time of no foreign travel has made us appreciate what our great nation has to offer.

Although we do have a couple of overseas trips booked for 2022, we are also looking forward to exploring more of the history and scenery of the UK.