Wot, no Red Squirrels?

Alas, today is our last day here in Sunny Keswick. So this morning it seemed only right that, in spite of already having seen two Red Squirrels on a walk last week, we would go up to the feeding station in The Swirls wood down by Thirlmere reservoir (i.e. it's not a real lake, you know), and try to spot some more.


Fat chance. The forestry boys had been in and cut down a load of trees. Not all of them, mind, but just enough to temporarily remove the feeders that ensured you got a good view of the little darlings (the squirrels, not the forestry boys). So here's one I shot earlier (not literally)...

So I have to admit that we spent the rest of today moping around being miserable about going home (except the bit where we went to the Wild Strawberry tea room for one last cuppa together with a piece of their delicious thickly chocolate coated caramel shortbread - phwoaarrr, as they say).

Normally, at this point, I'm ready to go/had enough/want to go and see old Freddy cat again, etc, but this has definitely been the best Lakes holiday yet and I really don't want to leave. Yes, I know the weather was near perfect, but we were so much more relaxed this year compared to last, and all we can talk about is whether we come back to Keswick next year or try Ambleside for a change, and whether we might switch back to a couple of weeks in September when K's allotment isn't going in to overdrive.

Other talk included that old chestnut, "If we went walking every week at home, we'd be so much fitter when we got here...". Well it didn't inspire us in previous years, but maybe this time...? Gotta keep those creaky knees in shape!

So, that's it, I enjoyed writing this journal even more than I had hoped. The 'blog stats' seem to indicate that I have followers in Malaysia and the USA - can't think who they might be - but to the rest of you, thanks for reading it, and if anyone fancies having a go for their next holiday (I know one of you does), I'd be glad to help get them started (it's not that hard really).

Best Regards

Mike.

Day at Muncaster Castle

A proper walk was still too risky with K's ankle, so we decided to go to Muncaster Castle out near Ravenglass. We'd been there several times in the past, enjoying the woodland walks and the flying displays (there is an Owl sanctuary there), but this time decided to throw caution to the winds and pay to look around inside the castle itself as well.

View of the Castle from across the lawn

There was an audio guide to the rooms inside the castle which was useful, and it's worth doing if you like poking about inside historic buildings.


But the unexpected highlight of the tour occurred upstairs whilst looking at one of the smaller bedrooms. As I was listening to the recorded blurb the door at the back of the room opened and an elderly gentleman shuffled in.


I thought it was one of the ghosts they claim to have about the house, but then he started talking, "Can't find my shoes...and me heatings busted again. Oh, hello, how are you?". So then I thought it might be some 'historic recreation' with actors, but after we'd stammered out a reply it became apparent that he was Patrick Gordon-Duff-Pennington, the current joint owner (with his wife Phyllida who actually inherited it), of the castle.


He subsequently went around the building chatting to people, mainly thanking them all for coming (he would - our entrance fees keep his castle standing), and it was then that we realised that we had met him on a previous visit, lurking in the gardens. It was quite disconcerting.


After looking around the building we headed off for lunch (via the terrace, picture below),

View up Eskdale from the Terrace

and then on to watch the bird flying display. We'd seen this a number of times before but it's always a good show. Only a Buzzard and two Owls this time though, but it's free, and still quite entertaining. Here's the star of the show;

European Eagle Owl

After the flying display we went for a look at the Meadow Vole Maze, an interactive exhibition of things Vole-like, but definitely only recommended for the under-10's. Then out into the wider grounds to see the Bluebells (over, sadly), and to go up to the point on the boundary where you can see out to the coast with it's starkly contrasting industries of wind power (way out to sea), and nuclear power (Seascale).


So, another good day out and, best of all, K's ankle held out well considering all the shuffling about the castle, and rambling about on the often uneven woodland paths.

We're off to the Mary Mount Hotel for Dinner

Had a good day at Muncaster Castle today, more of that tomorrow. But now we're rushing off to dinner at the place where they have bird feeders outside the dining room windows (which usually attract more Red Squirrels than anything - well, hopefully).


That's if we don't get lost - me Satnav's busted! And you can't ask directions can you, that's much too unmanly...

Blencathra (the hard way).

With Sir K bonington still recovering from injuries sustained in the great crevasse disaster the other day the remainder of the team (i.e. me) decided to go and bag another first ascent for King and Country (first by me of course, 50 million others have already done it before).


Blencathra, at about 2850ft isn't quite as high as my favourite Skiddaw (which tops 3000ft), but it has a number of exciting ridge type routes to the summit, and the scariest one is 'Sharp Edge'.


I started early as the day was promising to be as hot as ever, but the lay-by on the A66 was already filling up by the time I arrived.


Most of the route up wasn't too taxing overall, although Sir K had insisted that I took all of my survival gear (presumably in case the monsoon storms arrived early) and so my pack was bulkier than really necessary. I had a nice coffee stop at the Scales Tarn before going on to do the 'fun' bit.

Coffee at Scales Tarn

It was a bit scary (while I've got a reasonably good head for heights there were a few places where I felt decidedly exposed and, frankly, where if you slipped you'd fall a long way).

The Fun Bit

But after climbing up the final gully,

This photo doesn't do the gully justice...

the view was fantastic (if a little hazy).

Looking East towards the Pennines

So, one more (but much longer) coffee stop on the top and then it was straight back down to the car via Doddick Fell - a fairly straightforward descent, although the relentless steepness was absolute murder on the old knees.


It's a good route and highly recommended if you like a bit of a scramble. But not to be attempted in any kind of bad weather though, I think... Anyway, here it is;

Finally, I would like to have continued describing the day in a spoof Himalayan Expedition style, but having got home a migraine started and I felt too rough to keep it up.

Life's a Beach...

...well, a bit of rock beside Derwent Water anyway...

(Sorry, that's the best picture I could get - trying to get the composition/light/webcam angle all right was impossible. At one point I was sitting on a wet rock by the water's edge, about to fall in...).


So anyway, no proper walking today either. We're enjoying lunch down by the lake, which thankfully K walked to without much of a problem. The weather is beautiful!


However, the plan for the last few days is that I go for a big walk on my own tomorrow and we see what K can do on Thursday.


For tomorrow I'm thinking Blencathra by one (or more) of the scary ridges (e.g. the appropriately named 'Knife Edge' - don't tell K!).

No Walking Today...

...sadly. K's ankle is swollen and sore after yesterday's 'crevasse' incident, so today we fell back on plan/B - Red Barn and Larch Cottage.


Red Barn is an art outlet near to Penrith, with some interesting paintings, jewellery, ceramics, etc, but better than that was Larch Cottage, next door.


Larch Cottage is, on the face of it, a garden nursery. But it's a lot more besides. There are also loads of statues, pots, sculptures, and garden seats to buy all over the place, some very appealing. Nevertheless, the range of plants you can get is astonishing. You just keep going from section to section (none too well labelled, actually) wondering where it will all end.


The following photo gives a taste of what's there;

In fact it all ended with what is always, in my humble yet highly regarded (by me) opinion, the best bit, i.e. the cafe. I didn't think I could get all that jam and clotted cream onto the one scone, but by gum I rose to the challenge and here's the evidence;

Anyway, we'll just have to see how K is tomorrow - we'll probably walk a mile or two down by the lake and test the waters, as it were. All I know is, that between now and Friday night, I will do one major hill walk...if it kills me!

A lovely Walk on a Lovely Day...

...Or, "Triumph and Tragedy on the Eiger Mungrisdale Common".


The day started well, with the promise of good weather all day, and a route that would take us to about 2000ft and stretch our legs a bit more. The following photo' shows the start of the walk, with Bannerdale Crags in the far distance being our target.

The route started off nice and easy, along a track and then beside a stream (where we saw a tiny lizard - no idea what sort as we forgot to take our "I-Spy Lizards of The Lakes" book), then got much steeper as we followed a rocky ridge up to the top of the crags.


We stopped for elevenses half way up in a handy rock built shelter - it was too hard on our weedy legs to do it all in one go.

Sir K Bonington studies the final pitch with the critical eye of the experienced Alpinist...
(whilst simultaneously scoffinging an energy giving orange).

Once on top we could take stock of the unusual weather. I'd heard about the rare 'Blue Clouds' you sometimes get at these altitudes but never in my life expected to see them in the Lake District. Yet, there they were, plain as day, drifting along without a care in the world, dwarfing the normal white ones. Below is a photograph of this rare phenomenon.

'Blue Clouds' Exist!

Having taken a well earned rest we set off on the long descent back to base camp (conveniently located in the Mungrisdale village hall car park). But as is so often the case with expeditions of this nature it is during the descent phase, when the team is basking in the warm glow of a major climb successfully executed, that one's guard is down, and 'Triumph turns to Tragedy' (Da - Da - Daaaaaaah).

That it should happen to our great leader, Sir K Bonington, makes it all the more awful. We were traversing the 'Lower Ice Field' (which to the untrained eye would probably appear to be a wide grassy track), when a massive crevasse opened up without warning! (Well, there was an indistinct, grass covered, groove in the path anyway).

Sir K was swallowed and lost in an instant! (i.e. K trod in the groove and went over on her ankle). The team were devastated at this singular turn of events, crying "We are done for!". (In modern parlance, "Oh for F**k's sake!").

The remainder of the return to base camp was conducted in a sombre mood of despair (ditto).

Oh well, it was still a nice walk, so here's the route;

After a long session with ice packs and rest, we went to K's brother's place down in Kendal for dinner, which was very enjoyable. Think tomorrow we might just give the mountaineering a miss, and see how the ankle goes. Shame, though, the weather really is set fair for days to come...

Keswick Mountain Festival

No walking today. Weather's a bit crap (but set to improve over the next few days). Thought we'd have a mosey 'round the mountain fest and spot some lycra clad stunt cyclists, climbers with all those metal dangly bits they love, and maybe blag some free goodies!
--
Well, I wrote that last bit on me 'phone, on the way into town. We had a look 'round the festival village, but really it was a bit disappointing.


The stunt cyclists were not performing so we had to make do with the jump ramp they'd set up  for the kids. There was no landing ramp, just a massive airbag to land on (mainly to protect the precious grass from kids' cycling helmet shaped dents I expect). It did look fun though - some of them were getting some 'big air', as they say, and it was well rad, er, dudes.


Ahem, and no serious climbers with dangly bits either though, again, the kids were well catered for with a climbing wall that was swarming with budding Joe Browns.


And no freebies either. Just a load of stands that all wanted your email address in return for the chance to win a free trek in the Himalaya...which isn't really our cup of tea.


The whole thing was aimed at, dare I say it, the 'younger' generation, with slogans like 'Dare2Be', 'Go Frantic on the Fells', and 'Fear is just 4 southern wimps and jessies' (ok, I made the second two up). But it was all very 'go-for-it', 'exceed-your-goals', etc, and as such, not for us.


I mean, I've walked the Pennine Way in 14 days with full camping kit, done the Skiddaw Summit Fell-run in 92 minutes, not to mention completed quite a few half-marathons and 10ks, rock climbed on sea cliffs and mountains including leading a Hard Severe route in Derbyshire, and cycled, for example, 600km in 39 hours, for fun. So I think I've 'HadEnuff' of pushing the limits, thanks very much.


Having said all that, there was one thing you could do that, if I'd been swimming regularly this year, I would have thrown caution to the winds and done. Swim in the lake. i.e. Derwent Water.


The organisers were inviting people to experience 'free' swimming by providing support for anybody who wanted to to swim out to and around the nearest island in Derwent Water and back. And by gum were there a lot of takers. All had wetsuits on (don't know if they were provided), and all looked like they'd enjoyed it (maybe they were just glad to get out of the freezing water).


So I guess that negates all the preceding crap I just wrote because frankly the Keswick Mountain Festival very nearly persuaded me to 'Dare2Be' a free swimmer for an hour. Bugger.


But it's ok, I have just consoled myself by going and buying a new rucksack...


And so to the evening's entertainment, courtesy Sir Chris Bonington. I read his book 'Everest the Hard Way' when I joined the climbing club at 6th form college. The climbing instructor reckoned it took me longer to read the book than it took them to reach the summit. But, whatever, it inspired me to have a go at climbing, and now, 34 years later, I am going to see the guy that wrote the book...


And what a talk it was. He's about 78 now, was a bit slow to get started, and kept forgetting people's names, but as he warmed up it became enthralling. Tale after tale of climbs in the Alps, Andes, Himalaya, you name it, all continually leading back to the main theme of the talk, "Triumphs and Tragedies on the Eiger", and in particular his final triumph of being the first British climber to scale the notorious North Face.


The list of climbers who died attempting the North Face was long, and a questioner asked if he ever felt like giving up climbing after so many had died, many of them close friends of his, but he simply explained that his love of the sport was just too deep to stop.


Wonderful stuff...

Cockermouth and Cameron McNeish

That's not Mr&Mrs McNeish of course. I mean, 'Cameron' is a perfectly reasonable name for a bloke, but 'Cockermouth' for a lady...? Hmmm, something tells me this line of inquiry is going somewhere bad, very bad.

What I mean is, we've just had a trip to Cockermouth, and we're going to a talk by the Scottish mountaineer, Cameron McNeish, later this evening.

So, to Cockermouth, well known for it's impressive ability to out-flood anywhere in the rest of the known universe. We'd heard that it had more than the average number of arty-crafty galleries so thought we'd go and have a look (and rest yesterday's tired legs).

We arrived at about 10am and, since things don't really get going in Cockermouth until later than that, headed for the nearest cafe. Well, not the nearest, but the one out the back of the 'New Bookshop' (lotta places in Cockermouth start with the word 'New'). It was excellent. Loose tea and fresh ground coffee were the norm, plus home-made cakes, and a cosy bit of seating with a view.

Lunch was even better. We went to 'The Honest Lawyer', a restaurant/cafe/bar place where the food was also entirely home-made. I had the Steak and Ale Pie (which was a large square cut out of a baking tray full of the stuff), with chips - i.e. properly cut-up potatoes. I'm still groaning from the weight in my stomach. K had the Fish Cakes, similarly home-made.

The entertainment was good too - our window overlooked the river where a Dipper, whose favourite perching rock was in full view, kept us entertained with its fishing antics whilst we waited for our food. Shame we couldn't have stayed for dessert, but our parking time was up and in any case I'd probably have exploded...

Oh, and we went 'round some arty-farty galleries too.

Moving swiftly on, to Cameron McNeish (you know, the bloke whose wife has a funny name...). I couldn't remember if he was the mountaineer who got frost-bite in his fingers and had to cut them all off with a rusty hacksaw blade, or if he was the one who fell down a ravine trapping his arm and who escaped by cutting his whole arm off with a rusty hacksaw blade, or indeed if he was the one who thought he could safely commune with grizzly bears in Alaska, who tried, but failed, to fend off the slavering beasts with a rusty hacksaw blade? (By the way, all Swiss Army knives now come with the new rusty hacksaw blade tool as standard).

In fact, and rather disappointingly, he was none of these (no, not even the one who was climbing in the Himalaya, had a fling with a Sherpa's wife, got an embarrassing disease, and had to cut off his...Ok, that's enough rusty hacksaw blade stories).

No, he's the Cameron McNeish who does the walking and climbing in Scotland television programmes, where nobody cuts anything off with a rusty, or otherwise, hacksaw blade. Quite a disappointment really. Well, actually no, in fact it was a very interesting talk, with excerpts from a number of his best programmes (though some excerpts were a little on the long side), finishing with what was originally a live broadcast of a climb on one of the scariest overhanging crags I've ever seen.

It was exhausting, all that dangling by your fingertips, sticking bits of metal into the rock and clipping the rope in, and swearing on camera. But we survived, the talk, that is. And best of all, we've got Sir Chris Bonington to listen to tomorrow night. I wonder if he's ever had to cut anything off with a rusty hacksaw blade...?

Walk - St. John's in the Vale

So, with the weather being a bit off, today's options were;


a) Get the wet weather gear out and go walking,
b) Take the day off and go 'round all the cafes and outdoor shops, or,
c) Drive a long way to some craft-barn-thing near Penrith?


and I was rather fancying option 'b'. Not a chance, We didn't load all that walking crap and haul it up the M6 for nothing, apparently. No, we did it so we could go walking, come rain, or...heavy rain.


But, to be honest, it was only raining a bit, so we elected to try one of the walks on the leaflets we found in the house, one that wasn't too long, or too far to get to. That way we could be done by lunchtime, and still get to do the cafes and outdoor shops - neat.


So we chose the walk in the title and boy were we glad. Because we saw two, yes TWO, Red Squirrels! And that's in the wild, not on a feeding station near an observation hide. They simply appeared on nearby trees where we just happened to have stopped for a minute to admire the view. Amazing. They're so cute, the way they sit on a branch, tuck their little paws across their chest, and just look at you...aaaah.


But, back to the walk. Here's a log of the route (showing the all important Red Squirrel observations);

We half expected the walk to be a bit spoiled by traffic noise, but actually it was quiet around most of it. Oh, and something I forgot to put on the map was the farmhouse tearoom, which was open though we didn't partake, at Low Bridge End Farm. It's only half a mile into the walk, but you could do it the other way and then it'd be, ooh, about half a mile from the end.


Bits of it are steep-ish, though not too long, and the bit towards the end, alongside the forestry was a bit dull (forestry tracks always are, in my opinion). And the route through Bridge Farm has completely changed from the leaflet's instructions, but it's easy enough to find your way.


Didn't take any piccies, it was raining all the time, but the views are all stock Lakeland stuff and very agreeable. The leaflet, reproduced by kind permission (yeah, right), is here;

That's all folks! The weather looks to be improving over the next few days so, apart from a day in Cockermouth tomorrow, we expect to be doing something a bit more strenuous over the weekend (we're going to see Sir Chris Bonington talk on Saturday night, and I feel the need to have bagged a peak over 8000m by then. Sorry, make that 800m. 80m?).

Walk - Wray Castle and Blelham Tarn, and Talk - Pauline Saunderson

Yes, yes, I know we went to Wray Castle only yesterday, but this was a proper walk, which just happened to go past the same 'castle'.

We started from the National Trust car park about a mile or so beyond the entrance to the castle, although that last mile is single track with vegetation in the middle so next time it might be better to park in the castle car park since it's right on the walk and not too busy.

The walk starts along the edge of Windermere, with lovely views across to Ambleside,

and then cuts inland around the castle and continues into some lovely countryside which includes Blelham Tarn (hence the title!). It's about 6 miles, with a few easy gradients, and it took us 4.5 hours! That included elevenses and lunch, but even so I think we're a bit on the unfit side. Probably give Scafell Pike a miss for now...


Anyway, it was a nice walk and here's a map of the route (not necessary - I just put it in to prove I could do it).

This evening we went to the first talk we'd booked at the Keswick Mountain Festival. It was by Pauline Saunderson, who we'd never heard of either. She did a cycle ride with a team for charity, travelling from the Dead Sea, 5000 miles to the summit of Everest (with only two punctures, allegedly).


Ok, they only cycled as far as base camp and climbed the rest, but it was an amazing achievement, and with all the countries and cultures they took in en route it made for a fascinating lecture.


She was a bit lively and in-your-face, so by the end of it we felt like we'd done the ride too, but it was still very enjoyable.


So, tomorrow, looking a bit wet with more to come, so do we;
a) Get the wet weather gear out and go walking,
b) Take the day off and go 'round all the cafes and outdoor shops, or,
c) Drive a long way to some craft-barn-thing near Penrith?


Hopefully it's 'b', but we'll have to see...

Trip to Wray Castle.

Today, on the advice of K's Brother, we paid a visit to the National Trust property of Wray Castle, down near Ambleside (and no, we didn't tick the 'Gift Aid' box! See later...).


It's not a real castle, of course, but a "Mock-Gothic castle...with turrets, towers and informal grounds" built in the 1840's to house just two people (or ten people, if you include all the servants). In short it's an interesting place to see, though the rooms are all empty and only some period features remain - it has had many owners, none of whom could really afford to keep the place in good shape, including a business school, and some Maritime Cadet Radio School thing...oh, I can't remember.


Anyway, all the info' is here /http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wray-castle/ if you want to know. I'll just shut up and stick up some photo's...

The Front Door

 You're free to wander the grounds, which contain some impressive trees including an ancient Black Mulberry allegedly planted by Wordsworth, and which run down to the shore of Windermere.


We took advantage of this to have a very peaceful lunch listening to the lapping waves and not much else, although it did start to rain at one point so we moved under some trees hoping it wouldn't last long. But then it turned to hail, which plinkety-plunked its way down through the branches and into our coffee and sandwiches - nice.


So, Gift-Aid. One of K's hobby horses. Well it wouldn't be if all you had to do was declare yourself to be a British tax-payer and let them reclaim the tax. But no, having got you into a warm cosy giving kind of mood they then try to charge you extra for the privilege (this is the NT, by the way, not other organisations like the Eden Project and Westonbirt Arboretum).


You simply couldn't do the gift-aid thing on it's own, so we said No, and paid the lower price, denying the NT anything extra at all. Strange. At least they didn't also try to sell us membership - K would have probably gone mad...


Ok, we're off to the 'Bitch and Bazooka' for a slap-up meal to prepare us for something special tomorrow - walking! Radical, eh?

A Day at the Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve

Thought that after yesterday's over-exertions we'd do something more relaxing instead, like, bird-watching at Leighton Moss.


Except that it involved over an hour's driving each way, and about four miles trudging between all the far-flung hides. But hey, I think we saw an Otter!


Well, I think it was an Otter, although if you really want to see a particular bit of wildlife there's a good chance you'll hallucinate and kid yourself it was the real thing (at least that's what they said to me in the visitor's centre).


But there I was, looking down an avenue through the reed-beds, and suddenly I saw a longish low double humped shape swim from one side to the other in the space of a few seconds and, although I can't say for sure that I saw its head clearly, in the opinion of the (somewhat doubtful) ladies on the desk it couldn't have been anything else - except, perhaps, a Mink, which is even rarer than the few Otters they have at Leighton Moss.


It's a shame that Otters aren't as willing to be spotted as this blighter that wouldn't leave us alone and frankly deserves all he gets from the rich guys with the big guns...

Other stuff we saw during the day included a Marsh Harrier (excellent), Great Crested Grebe (lovely), Pochard, Tufted Duck, Shoveller Duck, Shelduck, some kind of Geese, Mute Swans, Reed Buntings (two), Avocet (lots), Black Tailed Godwit (quite a few), and last but by no means least, Black Headed Gulls (millions). Oh, and a Red Deer, lurking in the reeds.


So actually, a very good days spotting. Lunch was nice too!


Oh, and I nearly forgot, Kate spotted a Broad Bellied Chaser just hatching(?) on a reed. At least we think that's what it was - maybe somebody can identify it better from the photo...

Ok, that's all for today. Tomorrow we're going to visit a 'castle' (i.e. a folly) down near Ambleside, and then do some 'technical' shopping (me flask's broken so I need a new one, pronto).


Byeee,
Mike.

Our First Walk.

Hmmm, well it was meant to be a gentle stroll but ended up being 7 miles with a 1000ft ascent.


We walked from the flat in Keswick out along a disused railway, past this delightful group of Lakeland cottages - almost directly under the A66,

and later past the site of the Bobbin manufacturing industry that made millions of bobbins for the textile industry and sold them around the world.


After that it was all uphill, climbing onto Latrigg, Skiddaw's little brother.

It wouldn't have been so bad had the wind not been strengthening, taking the air temperature of 10C down to -2C at times. Kate was fine but I got rather cold. Also, we started early to avoid all that torrential rain that was due in by lunchtime - well it's 17.30 now and still it hasn't arrived!

Anyway, it was a good walk really, with good views East to Blencathra, North to Skiddaw, and south to Helvellyn. There were some big hills to the West too, but I can't name them just now.

To finish we enjoyed Tomato and Courgette soup in the veggie cafe, The Lakeland Peddlar, back in town which was lovely and very welcome, in spite of the screaming kids, etc.

So we're knackered now, and looking for something less strenuous to do tomorrow...

We've Arrived!

Arrived Keswick, 6.10pm, met a bloke in the car park who dared to ask, "Do you really need all that stuff?". He doesn't know Kate - she has 'The List'. If it's on the list, you have to take it. If you don't, terrible things will happen...

So anyway, finally got a decent cup of tea or two, watched the news and weather, and guess what, it'll be pouring by lunchtime tomorrow. So, early start tomorrow, with a short local walk to ease us into things, watch the Spanish GP, and see what Monday brings...Byeee!

Are we nearly there yet?

NO! Had to stop off in Kendal to visit Kate's brother and family. It'll be ok if I get a decent cup of tea...

We're on our way...

...and now we've stopped - for lunch, at The White Lion in Barthomley, near junction 16 on the M6. It's the sort of olde worlde pub that makes me wish I was a real ale fan.

Friendly staff and lots of locals in for a swiftie made for a good atmosphere, not to mention a lovely Hot Bacon&Brie Baguette. Yum!

...

Introduction

We're off to Keswick for 2 weeks, starting Saturday 12th May!


This is my first attempt at a 'blog', so it'll either be a fascinating insight into what the holiday was like, or just another boring "We did this, then we did that..." kind of thing. Maybe the need to produce something interesting for other people will inspire me...


Time to start packing, watch this space...