All weather camping (again)

The last 'part week' of the school term, hallelujah.

I had a Birthday and my Daughter made a surprise birthday cake whilst I was at work. 

(and I got a new watering can, like you do!!)

Then Wednesday morning we packed up the car for a family camping trip.

We camped just outside Hawkshead at our favourite camp site, Hawkshead Hall.

The site is immaculate, not too many tents crammed on, clean & warm toilet block, free showers and they have free wifi in the TV room.

There's a path into the village, avoiding all the traffic.

This years we camped with both my sisters and there families.

On the first day we had lovely weather and after a walk into Hawkshead we played cricket but on a hill!!! (Obviously all level ground has a tent on, so its cricket on a hill or no cricket)

The second day was wet. Wet when we got up, wet when we visited Keswick and wet all the way back to camp. So I didn't bother with photos!!!

On Friday we had a walk to the Cathedral Caves.

We visited in October last year when the weather was damp and autumnal.

But on Friday it really was glorious. 

All the blue sky you could ever want to see and every shade of green.

It really makes me wish I could paint (not emulsion and gloss, watercolour!!)

Every time we found water the children had to dip there hands in, cool water from the tops of the hills, perfect to cool down. (until the flicking and splashing starts) 

Half way round the walk, so maybe 2.5 miles you come across a small settlement of houses, how peaceful must that be, with just a few walkers passing your door and absolutely no traffic.

 (You couldn't even drive your own car to the door)

Onward to our lunch stop.

Then into the cave, having remembered the torch!!

The tunnel my son wanted to go through last time, but had forgotton his torch, was half full of water so it was a NO again.

But for the nimble footed there was a steep climb out of the cave.

The walk back was in semi shade, but still hot!!

As we neared the end, a deep discussion went on as to wether there would be an ice crean van on the car park. No, is the answer!!! 

Back to the campsite (via the ice cream shop) and it was more 'cricket on a hill'.

So we're back home and the washing machine hasn't stopped!! The tent is fully dried and packed away. The ironing pile is at a dangerous new level and the battle to keep the children away from technology is in full swing!!

Just looking back, we've stayed at Hawkshead Hall here, here & here

Meltdown Month

July always sends me on my way to some sort of meltdown.

The end of the school year -

3 primary school plays

1 high school summer show

1 awards ceromony

1 sports day and a backup day

1 child on a three day trip to London

1 sponsored walk

1 sposored 'human water pipeline'

1 summer fair

3 family birthdays

I've also had a job/work interview, which was ok and they will send some work my way.

(being self employed means work is always famine or feast)

I'm in my second month of being dairy free, so all Birthday baking has been. . . . . different!!!

And today, after I finish making another Birthday cake I have a funeral to go to.

A very lovely Lady who always took time to chat when I had my children and I walked endlessly passed her house. Sometimes you really are lucky with your neighbours and even after we moved it was always lovely to go round for a chat.

So after a long week, I have a Birthday party for 10 years old on sunday. . . . ooh lovely and relaxing!!

We're still at school/work on monday & tuesday, then I'll do a mad /frantic pack on tuesday night to go camping on wednesday.

Ooh I think I need another cup of tea and maybe a chat with Agnes (above in photo) shes such a good listener.

This 'meltdown feeling' is nothing new, when I look back at my blog it just seems to be a normal July.  See here & here

Getting a head start.

So last year we had a summer 'project' involving a family of little people (lego people). On our days out we would find a suitable position and photograph our 'little family' out and about.

This year I've  we've set ourselves a cycling challenge.

Printed out, and lurking behind the kitchen door is a map of the whole of the Lancaster Canal.

The aim is to cycle the whole length in easy, family sized chunks!!

In a bid to get a head start, we set off today to do a small section.

Starting near Woodplumpton at bridge 35.

Along a very over grown path.

Stopping for lots of snacks.

At this point the brambles, nettles and canal side plants where over 6 foot high and the temptation to leave up this inviting set of steps nearly got the better of me. But we ploughed on.

Carefully watching the path payed off when I spotted this beautiful moth.

With the promise of an icecream we reached Barton Grange Garden centre (bridge 47)

Then the cycle back to the car, cutting out sections of overgrown canal and opting for the footpath near a busy road. In total we did just over 10 miles.