Exploring the Lakes

Monday (13 May) a walk around the park and the town centre in Widnes.

Tuesday, we drove back to Pock.

Wednesday we spent the time unpacking and repacking again, and eating and drinking.!

Thursday, we took Rog’s parents to see Andre Reiu in concert at the Leeds arena. We decided to have lunch on the way and found a pub serving Giant Yorkshire Pud, so that had to be done.

We stayed in the Premier inn, right next to the arena which made it easy! It was fully booked so looking at the queue at checkin, we were pleased we had stopped for a good lunch! The concert was Andre and his orchestra at their best, a joyous evening.

Friday, we drove to Carnforth, via Skipton for coffee & cake, then through the forest of Bowland, stopping at The Fleece Inn in Dolphinholme for lunch, before reaching our accommodation. A lovely lodge at the waters edge of Pine Lake.

Saturday, we drove up the coast, stopping for coffee in Arnside, then further around the coast to ‘Grange over Sands’. On the way we had a problem with the car, it lost power and had warning lights on the dashboard. So we rang the garage, but as it was Saturday afternoon there was nobody in the service department, so I was told the ring Volvo Assist. Apparently, as Volvo serviced the car before we bought it, we have Volvo Assist (breakdown cover) so within 45 mins a mechanic had arrived, who thought it was an issue with the Turbo.

He followed us under reduced power back to our accommodation, then requested a tow truck, with turned up within an hour, to take the car to the local Volvo dealership.

After a few phone calls, a hire car was delivered to us at 11:15 that evening. Can’t complain really!

Sunday, as the weather was good, we decided to drive up to Keswick, parking was a bit tricky as a mountain festival was on, including a marathon

Had a wander around, a coffee, and then headed for Grasmere for lunch and to buy the famous Sarah Nelson gingerbread.

Monday, a fairly quiet day, lunch in the Booth’s supermarket cafe in Carnforth, as most other places were closed because it was Monday. Had a walk around the Pine lake, spotting the water birds.

Tuesday, drove up to Ullswater, stopping at Tebay motorway services on the way up to buy pies and cakes!

Stopped at The Queens Head pub in Troutbeck for lunch, Rog had a stunning steak pie!

We got a call that the car had been fixed, so called at the garage on the way back to pick it up. Volvo Assist told us to leave the hire car with the garage making that easy.

Wednesday, the weather was awful, it rained all day, and there was a yellow weather warning, so we didn’t do much, headed to the onsite swimming pool and enjoyed the sauna, steam room and jacuzzi.

Thursday, we went to Kendal, managed coffee and lunch out before heading back to the accommodation to pack.

Friday we checked out, headed to Leyland for coffee and cake with some of Nic’s family. One of the best chocolate brownies Rog has ever had! Which is quite a statement.

Home to Pock via Skipton, Nic had ordered some new trousers to collect from the Regatta shop in Skipton.

Saturday, Rog was up early to give his brother a lift to York station, payback for all the lifts we have had! Nic prepared Lunch for tomorrow.

Sunday, drove to Chester to see more family, we took the lunch Nic had prepared.

After a quick catch up over lunch, we drove though heavy showers, down to Gloucester to watch the Cheese Rolling, but you’ll have to wait until the next blog for more details of that.