Wet Drive to the Lakes

We’re setting off today to start our holiday to The Lakes and Ireland. After all the wonderful hot, sunny weather today is definitely a turn for the worse, torrentially wet but as Dave says “good for our grass”. The motorways are full of heavy lorries throwing up lots of spray that limits the visibility and roadworks that slow us down. We reach Backbarrow just after 1pm and head to The Whitewater Hotel bar, The Dolly Blue Bar for lunch. As its Friday it has to be fish and chips and absolutely scrummy it is too especially looking out over the river and surrounding countryside.

We’re too early to check in to our guest house so we drive to the shores of Coniston Water and sit on a bench by the water drinking in the restorative peace and quiet, accompanied only by two ducks who are looking at us expectantly for some food. The time soon passes and its time to check in at Hillcrest Country Guest House. The setting is gorgeous, tree filled vistas out of all the windows, fresh coffee provided by the very welcoming Jane and lots of birds flitting about the garden. We’re fascinated by the coal tit that has managed to nest in a crack between the downpipe and a brick!

Tonight, we’ve been invited to a BBQ at Pete and Angela’s apartment on the shores of Lake Windemere with views, a beautiful traditional stone mansion, G&T’s on the terrace and good friends, I can’t imagine anything nicer except possibly warm weather and a stunning sunset! Sorry Pete and Angela! But the burgers and sausages were BBQ’d to perfection, the wine flowed freely and the conversation relaxing. Perfect.