Lakes 2014

Saturday: apocalyptically bad journey in the rain to Gunpowder Cottage. Nice but a little scruffy for the price and not particularly well cleaned. Tucked away behind the pub, which is excellent, and has a good green the kids played on. Had food there the first night. No wifi or phone coverage in the cottage!! Jim and Min sharing, Sammy in the dark room and us as far away as possible...

Sunday: climbed Loughrigg. Kids did really well, weather was ok but spots of rain and chilly in the breeze on top. Had to give Jim a clip around the ear for heading off with Amy in a rebellious way and felt bad about it for a while. Amy whining incessantly on the way down.

Monday: big long walk down to Skelwith and up into Little Langdale. Best day of the holiday weather-wise.

Tuesday: Windermere ferry trip. Got the steamer down to Lakeside and walked up to the bobbin mill, which was closed of course. C stressed by the narrow roads. Walked up to the High Dam car park, where Amy, Sam and C declined the walk up to the dam but I managed to persuade Min and Jim. Again there was a bit of complaining from Jim and (unusually) Minnie, who is usually a trooper on the hills. I was glad I'd done it and it was good to reacquaint myself with the place for the first time since 1987. Then the aquarium at Lakeside and back.

Wednesday: miserable weather - pissed down all day but we still went over to Grasmere and climbed Helm Crag anyway. Go us. Poor Sammy didn't enjoy it that much I think. He cried pitifully at the top as we were being lashed by the wind and rain, but I think it was a combination of tiredness and maybe cold. He was dry in his puddle suit but we put an extra layer on him and he settled and slept on the way down. A bit of complaining at the top from Jim, and he frightened himself by following Amy along a craggy bit, but he was fine afterwards. We were all fortified by Grasmere gingerbread yum. Was good to get in to the dry afterwards.

Thursday: rest day. Went to Coniston and hired an electric motorboat and took off down the lake, an hour there and an hour back. Kids enjoyed pointing the boat. Then went to the Ruskin museum which turned out to be more interesting than expected. They are going to get the rebuilt Bluebird there when she is finished.

Friday: last day hike. Did Lingmoor Fell, our highest yet. Whining from Amy and some from Jim, none from Minnie. Good hill, and a great day I'm retrospect. Drink in the Old Dungeon Ghyll afterwards hurrah, and the day was warm though not sunny. Not looking forward to trip home. Kids happy, and I have got used to Amy's whining.