#MyFamilyAdventures – June

This month the majority of my outdoor posts have been from our visit to Lake Windermere and the surrounding area. From the moment we arrived we were treated to rolling hills a sight we don’t see living in Oxfordshire. These appeared to surround the area and tower above us reaching up to the clouds in the sky. There was the odd water fall and eldest was excited to see sheep and lambs calling out at them as we passed by in the car. On our arrival we made ourselves familiar with the place we were staying and the surrounding area. We did a spot of food shopping as we were self catering too and were surprised at how big the Naan bread was from the local shop.

The first couple of days were spent looking at the local attractions. We ventured to Wray Castle via boat and called in at the Aquarium travelling by train. We even passed Hill Top home to Beatrix Potter but decided the little ones would be too young to appreciate it.

However, it was the beautiful landscape that held us most in awe while we were in the area and we were delighted to explore it. One of the walks in the countryside that was the most memorable was close to Grasmere.

On arrival into the car park a camera takes a photo of your car registration number plate and you pay for parking on return. This is the first time we've encountered this type of pay and display technique. We had a bite to eat and set off in search of you guessed it - geocaches. We crossed a bridge to find the first one. Our eldest daughter loved running back and forth on it despite me telling her no in fear that she may fall off and landed in the lake! She ended up being chased by her dad much to her amusement. 

Once we’d persuaded her to head into the forest instead and clamber over tree roots we were on our way to the next and a lake appeared before us. There were inquisitive ducks in the area who came straight up to us keen for a bite to eat but we had no food for them and seeing the lake had come as a surprise to us.  It was a lovely little pebbled area and eldest soon had her shoes off paddling in the water alongside them. This must be a sign that my eldest is growing up as last year we had to abandon being on the beach as she was very upset.

On return to our car I suggested we venture into Grasmere itself and taste the gingerbread it is well known for.  It was nothing like the gingerbread I've tasted before so it was left to hubby to devour it.

Most of the time while we were in the Lakes it was raining so you can imagine how much of a shock to the system bright sunshine has been here in our own county. So much of a surprise that we were silly enough over the weekend to dismiss the sun cream and we got burnt!