2022 Lakes

This year we went to the Lake District twice! Once for a normal holiday, in September, with Chris, and once for Kate's big birthday in November with all the family. For the second visit we stayed in "End Cottage" in Chapel Stile, which we'd stayed in a couple of times before, and which has a lovely big window at the end of the living room, where you can sit and enjoy the view.

We had mixed weather on our first visit, but some amazingly sunny days on our second.  Pretty good for November - it rained cats and dogs on the drive home just to get its own back!

We visited a couple of houses - Allan Bank, which used to be Wordsworth's house, was a surprisingly low key delight. They had a fire there a few years ago and decided not to redo it much afterwards, so the rooms are quite bare. But there are a few delights, like an amazing library of climbing books, many of which we have at home!

We also went to Brantwood, John Ruskin's house on Coniston Water. An amazing situation, and a whole lot of interesting things - his rock collection for one. He seems a very interesting character, but maybe a bit bossy! The trouble with critics is they always think they're right.

We climbed up to Stickle Tarn in Langdale, and Kate and Chris went up to the top of Harrison Stickle. Mike's hip was a bit dodgy so he stayed with the rest of the family heading downwards with Hana at a nice slow pace! We also went into the cave on Loughrigg which was very impressive.

On the way up to Stickle Tarn. Look at that sky!