England – Page 2 – Claire's Blog

27th October 20189th August 2021

Fly me to the moon

Saturday 27th October

We have been home two whole weeks since our Scotland/Lake District adventure so must be time for a weekend away right?

After a trip to the doctors for my flu jab and the garage for Gavin to collect his car now with its MOT certificate, we were on our way to Peterborough.

It was lunch time when we got to Peterborough so first stop some food, we found a Bills in the centre so chicken burgers all around.

After Bills we headed to the cathedral which is impressive by itself but currently has Tim Peak’s Soyuz capsule and space suit on display which is the main reason for our visit to Peterborough.

It is very well displayed with atmospheric lighting. It is very impressive and looks really solid, the capsule is also a lot smaller than the Apollo capsule we saw on display at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

They also had a space suit (not real) that you could have your photo in, it was just front half you stood behind, being the big kid I am I had to give it a go.

After a small adventure we found our hotel for the night, the Pearl Hotel, and had an afternoon siesta.

We were both relatively full from lunch so instead of dinner we went to nearby Creations Dessert Lounge for the most amazing waffles and milkshake before heading back to the hotel to watch F1 qualifying.

Strawberry Waffle with hot chocolate sauce, cream, coconut ice cream

12th October 20189th August 2021

Full Steam Ahead

Friday 12th October

Weather back to the expected grey and wet we decided to spend our last day at the Havethwaite and Lakeside steam railway.

We got to Havethwaite near lunch time after lie in and there was a 40 minute wait for the next train so rather than wait in the cold we took advantage of the cafe and had lovely hot soup and bread.

The train arrived in a cloud of steam and we climbed aboard, the journey is about 20 minutes to Lakeside with a short stop at Nethy Bridge along the way.

Gavin on the Havethwaite & Lakeside train

Me on the Havethwaite and Lakeside train

There was an announcement just before we got to Lakeside to say that due to the weather conditions the boats were coming in from the lake and not going back out.

View of Windermere from Lakeside station

The train stops at Lakeside for about 15-20 minutes before heading back, as the boats were not running we decided to have a look around the station and view out over the lake before getting back on the train to head back.

On the train travelling back from Lakeside to Havethwaite

When we got back to Havethwaite, I went up on the bridge over the track to watch the engine coming around the train ready for it’s next trip to Lakeside.

Engine coming around the train to head back out

Before heading back to our cottage we had some drinks and scone (Gavin) and cake (me) in the cafe that we hadn’t had time for earlier.

In the evening we went out (getting soaked in the process) for dinner to a lovely Italian restaurant Gavin had spotted in Bowness. It was a lovely way to finish off our holiday, just the long drive home tomorrow now.

10th October 20189th August 2021

Blue Sky Boat

Wednesday 10th October

Blue skies and 21 degrees, what is happening?

Had to take advantage of this rare day, so headed back into Bowness and booked to go on a boat tour of Lake Windermere. It was 45 minute tour of the lake and had good commentary about the different islands and buildings along the shore.

After our boat tour we had some lunch from a bakery, sausage roll for me and pasty for Gavin, we also both picked up a pastry for desert later.

We wandered back down to the lakeside and had a local ice cream surrounded by swans and geese while watching the boats out on the lake.

Swan (who wanted to share the ice cream!)

For dinner tonight we used up potatoes as wedges with chicken and a pizza pocket for Gavin followed by our pastries brought from the bakery.

9th October 20189th August 2021

Afternoon Tea

Tuesday 9th October

Today we ventured into Bowness to find the supermarket to stock up the cottage for rest of the week. There was a small Tesco express but was able to get what we needed.

After taking the shopping back to the car with plenty of time left on the parking meter we had a look around some of the shops. I brought some Edinburgh rock for Christine and a chocolate pig for Charlotte.

We found a lovely traditional tea room for some lunch. Gavin tried the potatoe and chive soup followed by apple and cinnamon pie (they had run out of the pear) while I had ham sandwich and victoria sponge.

8th October 20189th August 2021

Wheel Horses

Monday 8th October – distance travelled 224 miles

We started the day with a great breakfast with a great view. It was such a lovely hotel and room we were sad to be leaving after just one night.

Gavin did the first leg of the drive which was to Falkirk to see the Falkirk Wheel, the weather was unsurprisingly wet and grey so decided we didn’t want to go on the wheel just watch it go round.

Afterwards I picked up a toy highland cow and a highland cow puzzle book for Charlotte as her gift for looking after the hedgehogs and squirrels while we were away. Then we headed to a lovely restaurant just up the road for dinner.

After dinner we visited the Kelpies which are very big and sparkly and well worth a visit.

I took over the driving and we started to head south as the weather started to get even worse and there were yellow alerts being issued around Glasgow and south for high winds. I stopped after about 40 miles to switch from contact lenses to glasses Gavin saw I was struggling and took back over the driving all the way to Windermere. He did a great job in very tricky, wet and windy conditions.

We found our cottage for the next few nights and unloaded the car once again, this time we both have a double room 🙂

27th September 20189th August 2021

Across The Border

Thursday 27th September – distance travelled 235 miles

Breakfast was not included with the apartment so Gavin started the day with a couple of fruit scones we had brought with us while I had almond croissants.

We got under way about 9:20am with me behind the wheel and headed up the motorway, with an unplanned stop at Teabay services where Gavin brought some cheese at the farm shop and we stretched our legs to see the ducks before topping up with petrol.

Amusement was had on the motorway just after crossing the boarder into Scotland in the form of a lorry with a cover that looked like a short skirt flapping in the wind – maybe you needed to be there but it certainly made us giggle.

Our lunch stop today was Balloch House in Balloch on the south end of Loch Lomond. I went for the cod fish fingers (very salty) with chunky chips, Gavin tried the lentil soup with chunky chips too. After lunch we took a stroll along the loch side and Gavin took over driving duties.

We made a photo stops at Firkin Point on Loch Lomond which was a beautiful spot, and at Tarbert.

Before driving through Glen Coe which required multiple stops as it is so stunning even in the drizzle and cold.

Gavin at The Meeting of the Three Waters, Glen Coe

Me at The Meeting of the Three Waters, Glen Coe

It was 6pm when we arrived at Creag Mhor Lodge in Onich on Loch Linnie where we are staying for two nights.

Was a long day today and we didn’t want to go back out for dinner (no restaurant at lodge) so we stuck with bar snacks, Cheese burger minus the cheese for Gavin and a BLT for me.

26th September 20189th August 2021

Let The Holiday Begin!

Wednesday 26th September – distance travelled 215 miles

After a half day at work, loaded up the car and headed north. We stopped twice for comfort breaks, Gavin drove first and I took over for the second half.

We stayed at Romney’s Apartments in Kendal overnight, a lovely 2 bedroom apartment with lounge and kitchen but rather cramped toilet.

For dinner we went to the gastro pub by the apartment. It was amazing, Gavin has steak and ale pie while I had cumberland sausage in a giant yorkshire pudding for desert I had thunder & lightning ice cream (had toffee pieces in it) while Gavin had some pear strudel.