Sketching Out a Great Holiday

Pencil puns are harder than I expected, I clearly need to sharpen my wits...

It finally arrived, the great sibling getaway! What started as a lakes getaway in 2017 has come full circle - since then we've done Disneyland Paris, took a break with Covid, then Wales, and Dundee last year. Honestly, this trip was a highlights tour of all our favourite things to do in the lakes. 

We changed it up a bit with our brother, as part of his 40th birthday celebrations, coming along with everyone's favourite Pouty McPoutface. Owing mostly to the extra dog we decided to break the party in 2, one for the dogs, so hubby, Missy, Maisie, my brother and I, and the other my sister with her husband and both kids. I knew it would change up the dynamic of the holiday, but it was more so than I expected. 

We started in Keswick. Owing to being much earlier risers than my brother, Missy, Hubby and I enjoyed the Derwent Pencil Museum which has undergone a revamp since we were last there. They still allow dogs and, armed with our quizzes, it made for a very nice morning out of the worst of the sun. Then we met up for lunch with my brother, took both dogs a walk by the river, then headed down to the site.

White Cross Bay is a great site. Walking distance to Brockhole and the pier for the boat to Windermere, a mere 6 minutes from Ambleside by car and right on the lake itself. We arrived, checked in, parked up, located my sister and her family and then all went to play in the water, letting the dogs cool down again.

Of course we started with the boats. This was really the one day that was pretty independent from my sisters family as we did the Walkers Ticket. Whilst they joined us in Brockhole and to Ambleside, we hopped on the next boat for Wray Castle whilst my niece and nephew hunted down chocolate dipped ice creams.

Once at Wray castle, we started the 4 mile walk to Ferry House. At 22C, I spent the whole holiday panicking about Missy overheating, but it was all in the shade of the forest or along the waters edge where both Missy and Maisie dipped thier paws to keep cool. This was the key thing for Hubby and I - in years past we tried this route and, owing to a much younger Missy trotting to get past all the ramblers, we effectively jogged the first mile and had to quit the route as I about died from the exercise. Needless to say, Missy is more sedate on walks these days, st least until she spots a squirrel or rabbit.

Once we successfully completed the 4 miles, we hopped on the boat to Windermere and celebrated with chocolate dipped ice creams of our own.

Wednesday was mostly focused on Brockhole and was a proper family day. The treetop adventure had been closed the day before and, at my brothers casual suggestion, that was the plan. I sat out with the dogs as I knew hubby would be sitting out on Thursdays plans.

I was unsure of how both dogs would feel about thier dad's up in the trees, but they were perfectly behaved for me. I managed a cup of tea, some "wild crafting" and then they were all coming down the zip line, buzzing about the adventure. It was the talk of lunch as we ate at Brockhole and enjoyed some of the wider scenery it offered. 

We split paths again, an afternoon swimming in the kids agenda whilst we decided to explore both Skelghyll Wood and Stagshaw Garden. The views we're absolutely stunning, so we'll worth squeezing into the tiny car park for! 

Thursday was definitely the sisters day. We started off with the big "must do" of my sisters - the Stott Bobbin Mill. I did give my brother the choice of opting out, but he was game for anything so came along with us. We were again blessed with superb weather and, as the kids ran about with their bobbin-keys for the kids quiz, the dogs enjoyed a sunny stroll. They no longer allow dogs on the tour, so hubby sat out whilst I joined the main party. 

The tour was superb and everyone enjoyed it, particularly my nephew who received the bobbin that split in half during the demonstration. The gift shop was subsequently raided of all bobbins and, after shaking my sister down by the ankles and determining that she hadn't stolen anything, we were on route to Kendal. 

I was getting very concerned about Missy at this point. Whilst technically no hotter than the days prior, this was our first "inland" day and she was panting like a freight train. Now, let me be clear, she loves to bake herself in the sun and then has to lie on the floor in the hall to cool down.  The heat and the panting weren't really the issue, it was adding in walking that was worrying me. 

We got to the castle and made a beeline for the city centre for some food. A huge shout out to the Pizza Express there. We had to sit outside owing to the dogs and, without prompting, we were handed a huge old margarine tub full of ice water for Missy. At last, my last minute panic buy of a neon orange cool vest was put to use. Dipped in the water and secured on Missy and she perked up right away. 

Content that she was well, my sister and I split off for the Quaker Tapestry Museum. Again I asked my brother if he wanted to decline, and this time he did! Clearly viewing tapestries was a step to far for him.

The museum was thoroughly enjoyable. I thought it was  going to be a collection of old tapestries, not the Quaker equivalent of the Bayeux Tapestry which told the history of the Quakers. So it was a pleasant surprise.

Just as we finished up in the gift shop hubby rang, it was fine, but Maisie had broken her good streak and chased a rabbit. He had to rescue her after she got trapped in brambles, but all was well, but they were done now, were we?

So we all congregated back at the car. Maisie was scolded for being naughty and all was well again. 

We celebrated the end of the holiday with desserts at the pub, which my sister snuck away to join us in. A toast was made to a good holiday and all was well in the world. 

We finished off the week back in Keswick, this time revisiting the Puzzling Place. It's an oldie but a goodie and the kids loved it, though I don't think Missy wants swapped out for a daschund anytime soon.

And then it was lunch and into our separate cars to go back home. Upon pulling into the driveway, hubby, Missy and myself looked at one another an knew the holiday blues were awaiting. I got a message from my brother, Maisie had refused dinner and was sulking, so clearly we weren't the only ones! 

I did get an invite out for a dog walk yesterday with my brother, so clearly I didn't drive him mad on holiday! Missy was in her cool coat again for it, but safe than sorry, its very hot! 

Al in all, a very good holiday. I did miss crafting with my sister in the evenings, but in the whole felt it had balanced out well. 

Until next time!