Lakeland Weekend

Hello, good morning, I know, I know, I am late and I do apologise, so sorry to keep you waiting. I was meant to be here yesterday, but yesterday turned out to be a busy, muddly, Snowy-white day and time for blogging was nowhere to be found.

So only a day late, I have made a cup of frothy chocolatey coffee, baked some lemon and apricot cookies (a variation on the orange and raisin recipe here), and we can sit on the sofa in the morning sunshine and chat a while.

Here in North Yorkshire we have had quite a bit of snow the past two days, with more set to follow. It has been hugely exciting :: flinging snowballs onto the frozen canal has been the most fun ever ever as far as the Little people are concerned. I've been taking photos of the snowy goings-on around here, and I'll share those with you another day :: today I really want to share my Lakeland weekend with you, as promised on Monday.

So :: on with Weekendy stuff, make yourself comfy now.

On Saturday morning when we set out to drive north to the Lake District, there was not a lot to be seen. A thick, freezing fog had descended like a cold blanket wrapping itself around every single thing. But luckily we are not a family who minds the weather, we were very excited for our weekend away, regardless of the fact that we could not see very much.

Some of you may remember that we had our first ever Youth Hosteling experience in the summer, you can read about it here. We really enjoyed ourselves that weekend and had been meaning to do it again, but it had taken us until now to get round to it. We chose to go and stay in the Lake District again, at a fabulous looking youth hostel a few miles out of Windermere.

This is Lake Windermere, down at the lakeside at Bowness. We had a camping holiday near here one summer, when the Little People were very much Littler. I have fond memories of Little Lady, a  little over a year old, taking very wobbly but determined steps along the side of this lake, in hot persuit of ducks and swans. It had been July then, and extremely busy and crowded and I cannot remember liking the area very much. In fact, I think I declared that I would never ever go back there. Ever. But ho-hum, I changed my mind and on a November weekend, in sub-zero temperatures, it was very much nicer. Quieter. Quite deserted in places, which is hugely unusual for this part of the Lake District.

As you can see, the predominant colour on Saturday was grey. Various shades and tones of misty, freezing, foggy cold grey. It had a certain beauty, a certain stillness that I found appealing.

The dense fog prevented us from taking a boat trip ON the lake, but there were other delights to be found in Bowness. Some beautiful shops all decked out for Christmas, a little quartet of street musicians playing Christmas carols, a fabulous deli where we got freshly made sandwiches and big chunks of home meade flapjack for our lunch.

And there was The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction.

Now my two Offspring adore the Tales of Beatrix Potter, just as I did as a child. Little Man (age 6) is really beginning to enjoy reading to himself, and his BP books are often to be found under his pillow after he has sneaked them into bed for some pre-sleep reading.

It's hard to describe this tourist attraction. It's not exactly a museum, but more a celebration of the characters that Beatrix Potter created. 

The blurb on the website had told us that the attraction "includes all 23 Tales by Beatrix Potter, brought to life in a magical indoor recreation of the Lakeland countryside, complete with sights, sounds and even smells. So you can meet Peter Rabbit in Mr. McGregor’s garden, discover Jemima Puddle-duck in the woodland glade and visit Mrs. Tiggy-winkle in her kitchen."

And that is exactly right. The models (which were much larger than I expected, as large as the Little People) were beautifully made, and the scenery and backgrounds magical.

It was a delight to see the all our favourite characters acting out scenes from the story books, my favourite being Mrs Tiggywinkle busy doing the laundry in her little kitchen. Awww, she was so cute!

By the time we did a Hop Skip and Jump out of there, it was beginning to get dark. So back to the car to drive out of Bowness, two miles up and up into the thick foggy hills above the lake where the Youth Hostel was situated.

We love staying in these Hostels. Well I know this was only our second experience, but we are honestly so thrilled by these places. There is so much warmth and character in the old buildings, such a lot of fun to be had in exploring the rooms and grounds, in finding our family room all warm and clean and ready for us. And there are Bunkbeds. Crikey, I cannot begin to explain the excitement of the Little People, faced with the prospect of climbing a ladder to get into bed. It is huge. Enormous.

The LP allow us to do a quick tour of the hostel :: we discover the wonderful cosy sitting room with its huge wood burning stove, the little kitchen where we are free to make ourselves a cup of tea, the dining room with it's picture windows over looking the terrace and the valley (which we can't actually see of course because it is dark and the fog is sooooo thick by now). Then they demand to go back to the bedroom to play on the beds. What fun!

Later on, after a delicious meal of freshly prepared local and organic produce, we went to the sitting room which by then was beautifully cosy and warm with the wood burner lit. J and I sat and read while the Little People made friends and played with other children staying in the hostel.  It's very sociable, friendly and we enjoyed our evening a lot.

Breakfast the next morning was at 7:45am, and we were in for a treat. The view that was not to be seen the night before was slowly revealed as the light crept in, and it was absolutely breathtaking. It was incredibly cold, well below freezing,  and a thick white sparkly frost had settled on the landscape. We could still see the fog laying low over the lake in the valley, but up above it was becoming a gloriously, bright, sunny winters morning.

While eating breakfast right next to the big windows, we were able to watch the sun rise and light up the distant Lakeland fells...

...it was just incredible.

Beautiful.

A little later in the morning we drove to Coniston Water.

It was also very beautiful and peaceful here, but oh so cold! We had a short walk, but the fog and mist soon came rolling in and we were suddenly unable to see very much again.

 

The Little People loved this wintry weather, loved the sparkle and drama of ice crystals and frost on grass and leaves. But there was no denying it was absolutely freeeeeezing. And a certain amount of tired, persistent whingeing was beginning to take place. So after a short family conference we decided to abandon any idea of walking in the countryside and head back toward home, stopping en route at the delightful village of Kirkby Lonsdale. Beautiful shops, lovely cafes, pretty streets. Old fashioned toyshops to explore and giant strawberry milkshakes to drink. Or in my case, this shop to browse, followed by cappuccino and carrot cake. That's better, smiles are back again, hands are warmed.

A delicious end to a fabulous weekend.

It's been great fun sharing it with you, thanks so much for stopping by. Right, I'm off the PC now and across to my sewing machine. I'm stitching a banner for my soon-to-be opened Etsy Shop. Excited? Moi???? Oh, you cannot begin to imagine!

xxxxxxx

Comments

[Christine]

Hi Lucy, Love all the pictures from your country. I am across the pond in Massachusetts, USA!

[Siobhan]

I am having great fun looking back over past posts - it's been wonderful! Just wanted to say that my sister sometimes works at the hostel you stayed at. Her spiritual home is the lakes and she adores it there, and pines terribly if she has to leave them (originally from London)- that is not her usual hostel but who knows if she was there when you were?

[Maia]

That photo from Coniston Water is just stunning!

And I love the Beatrix Potter dioramas...I have a soft spot for Ms Tiggiewinkle.

[Maia]

That photo from Coniston Water is just stunning!

And I love the Beatrix Potter dioramas...I have a soft spot for Ms Tiggiewinkle.

[Judy]

Thanks for taking us along on your week-end! It would not have been what I might have wanted because it was so cold (warmer weather -YES!) but you made the trip lots of fun and now I put the area as a favorite as I hope to get to England in two - three years. Next year is Brazil! Judy
http://judy-judysfabricaddiction.blogspot.com/

[vanessa]

Squeal!!!!!!! you're going to open an etsy shop!!!!!!!!!!! Well done Lucy, that's fantastic news!!!!!!!! I'm so pleased for you, I just know it will be very popular.............. and just in time for Christmas.............. Excellent............. I really can't wait to see it!
Your landscape photos are glorious, just beautiful............ what an idyllic weekend you had............... Thanks for sharing it with us.................

[vanessa]

Squeal!!!!!!! you're going to open an etsy shop!!!!!!!!!!! Well done Lucy, that's fantastic news!!!!!!!! I'm so pleased for you, I just know it will be very popular.............. and just in time for Christmas.............. Excellent............. I really can't wait to see it!
Your landscape photos are glorious, just beautiful............ what an idyllic weekend you had............... Thanks for sharing it with us.................

[Roanne]

Love the photos Lucy! Coniston looks so beautiful. I hope you were all wrapped up nice and warm. Have you decided about the gorgeous green Boden coat yet?

We visited the Beatrix Potter exhibition a few years ago and our little people loved it. We went twice in one week - the second time was because I managed to get lost on the way to somewhere else! We stocked up on Jemima Puddleduck pencil sharpeners :)I must get the books out - we haven't read them for ages.

Can't wait to visit your Etsy shop :0)

Roanne x

[A Thrifty Mrs]

Brrrr it looks so cold! But ever so lovely.

[Funkymonkey]

We are regular visitors to the lakes. Thank you for your photos, they will keep me going until our visit next year. Kirkby Lonsdale is already on the list of 'to do' places as we are staying in the south lakes this time.

Tracey.

[Gem]

Lovely pictures - I was in that corner of the world a few weeks ago and it is a beautiful place. Very excited about you opening and Etsy store (although it could be dangerous for my pocket!)
x

[Liz]

I am so glad to hear you are opening an on line shop. I was going to suggest it to you as your textile pictures are really wonderful. You have an eye for colour and style. I really enjoy reading your blog. It makes me feel calm and centred after a stressful day at work. Did you get y our shopping trolley by the way?

[Helen Lambert]

Hi...we have been to the lake distict a few times and it has always rained so Polly has very negative feelings about it...although the rain doesn't stop me looking at all the wonderful shops and drinking hot chocolate in tea shops...we did the Beatrix Potter museum and I loved it...I also loved her house...they give you one of her books and you have to find the inspirations in the house for her pictures...then there is a lovely pub down the road...used for Jemmima Puddleduck...but having said all that about rain....it is quieter and like you, if you are lucky you can happen on spectacular weather...which youth hostel was it?? Loved your pictures...love H from Leeds

[Cláudia - Guarujá - São Paulo - Brasil]

Hi Lucy!
Beautiful, beautiful the weekend with the family!
This is essential for the body and the soul!
And once again thank you for sharing with us these beautiful landscapes. I want to be there!
Thank you!
Kisses
God bless

[sarah]

Great pictures lucy, you have an eye for photography too, is there no end to your talents xx

[Nikki]

Ohhhhhh! An etsy shop, are you going to have any goodies before Christmas???

[miss sew n sew]

Hi Lucy
Your weekend away looks wonderful the scenery is breathtaking. I'm reaaly inpressed with the YHA they look great places to stay.
Sarahx

[julia]

Oh Lucy, Kirkby Lonsdale is one of the places that I've been going to forever. It was one of our favorite places as children, one of the bext picnic, paddling spots.
The weekend sounds glorious, I'm going to have to explore the YHA!
Julia xx

[emma whiston]

hello Lucy

Glad to hear you had a great time. I LOVE the Lake District. It is so fantastic. We used to camp until the end of October each year. So much nicer when it is nice and quiet! Not that it would be in November for us anymore as we take our own noise makers with us anyway!!!!

Good luck with your Etsy shop.

Love Emma xxxxx

[Hen]

Oooh, now that's interesting, I was only just thinking about fellow bloggers and how many sold their wares and I wondered if you did. Look forward to your grand Etsy opening. Looks like you had a lovely weekend but boy, it looked freezing! I've heard a lot about Parma Violet, lucky you for visiting.
Hen x

[cherrie]

Grey is really quite beautiful when it is outside, don't you think? I never knew a youth hostel could be so cosy and clean. I always picture them as dirty hovels - kind of one-star hotels but this is really lovely. Cherrie

[Josie-Mary]

What a lovely break....I was thinking about the great holiday I had in Kirby Lonsdale when I started reading this, I couldn't believe that you mentioned it. It was back in 87, we went to Beatrix Potter's house... so beautiful... thanks for your kind message :)

[Katy]

I never ever been to the lakes *blush*, it looks so beautiful, I should go. I promise I will.

As for the etsy shop - WHOO!

[Lisa]

Ohhhhhh love it love it and I forgive you for being late xx, I have been to that museum and had my picture taken with mrs puddleduck ohhhh happy times and only 15 years ago!! fab phots as always and so excited for you dragons den here you come ;-)

Lisa x

[Nicola]

Lovely photos and words as always Lucy. The Beatrix Potter exhibition looks lovely as does Parma Violet! Off to have a look at their mail order items.

Nicola x