Great-grandchild ... number 4 ...

George and I are overjoyed to announce that our fourth great-grandchild is on the way. 

Very many congratulations to Louise and Rob, a brother or sister to twins Grace and Lillian.  

Congratulations too to grandparents Sharon and Joe.

 

Welcome to Ivy Piper

Yesterday we welcomed our third great-granddaughter weighing in at 10lb 3oz. Congratulations to granddaughter Joanne and partner Ross and to our daughter Sharon and son-in-law Joe. Ivy Piper will be so well loved by all her aunties, uncles and her two cousins and I for one can't wait for some cuddles.

Long time no-see ... and the draw of the water ...

We left life on the canal for life on land nearly 2½ years ago but are still are drawn to the water, you may remember that we now live not far from Audlem on the Shroppie.

 Today on this cold and frosty morning we arrived above lock 4 at Audlem ... we knew that CRT were replacing the top gate at lock 11 ...

and were surprised to see that work was also going on at lock 9 where the canal has been dammed to allow access to refurbish the top end, replace the stop-plank channel, brick and masonry repair, clearing the lock chamber of debris and repair to the by-wash.

Past lock 10 and now we can see more CRT work boats ...

Men at work ...

... replacing the top gate...

... and working on the enormous beam.

We continued to walk down the canal passing Audlem Mill an icon of the Shropshire Union Canal.  Did you know that it's up for sale? The current owners, Christine and Peter bought the premises back in 2007 and are now ready for retirement, so if you're interested contact them on 01270 811059 or info@audlemmill.co.uk.

Another icon of the Shroppie - The Shroppie Fly - we shall call in on our way back up the canal to the car.

We would have had a meal here this lunch time but unfortunately they don't do food today so we sat in comfy chairs and had a hot chocolate instead before heading home.

22nd June 2022

Wishing a Very Happy First Birthday to our beautiful great-granddaughters Grace and Lillian. Love you to the moon and back a million times over.

Taking a break ....

The original plan was to buy some more decking for the garden but we changed our minds and went on holiday instead! 

I was wandering, as I tend to do, through Facebook and saw a cottage that looked just right for us in the Lake District.  Red How Lodge in West Cumbria booked from Friday11-18th February.  Our arrival time was to be 5pm, the journey time 3¼hours so we decided to make a day of it setting out from home mid morning and visiting a few places on route ...

First stop was Windermere and it was really busy even in early February.  We had a spot of lunch at the Boaters Bar where we could look out onto the marina ...

and then took a short walk along the lakeside ... so beautiful, so calming.

We had intended to have a look around Ambleside but the traffic getting out of Windermere was so bad that we decided not to stop  ...

and continued northwards passing Thirlmere

and snow topped and cloud covered mountains ...

to the pretty town of Keswick ... a quick look around and a promise to return here we continued on our way to ...

Red How Lodge ... how pretty is that!

 

After unpacking and eating dinner we sat in the lounge by the wood burner with glasses of wine whilst waiting for our eldest grandson to arrive from Glasgow.

Adam eventually arrived about 10:30 and we were so happy to see him and be able to spend time together.

Saturday dawned wet ... very, very wet.  The roads were like fast flowing streams and George did not enjoy the driving at all through the lashing rain and water but we did eventually reach the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop safely and purchased lots of gingerbread.  The rain eased and gradually stopped when we wended our way back to the cottage.  This time satnav took us a much easier route.

In the evening we visited the Kirkstile Inn at Loweswater where the three of us we relaxed over a very nice meal, Adam trying out the local brewery beer Loweswater Gold and I tried the Vanilla Oatmeal Stout which was nice but too much for me so it was finished off by Adam.  George had a very tasty glass of water.

Adam was leaving in the morning ... some people have to work apparently ... what's that all about!

Sunday was another wet day and it was hard to decide where to go that would allow us some shelter that wasn't a shop ..

We decided on the coastal town of Whitehaven and took shelter in the Beacon by the harbour.

The displays and information about the town was interesting but we thought the best was the exhibition in the gallery ... Cumbria through the Lens ... taken by local photographers.

My favourites were these two black and white photos.

We spent a good while in the beacon and then went to the Vagabond, a very unassuming pub which did excellent meals and was packed to the gunwales.  When we left at 5pm the sun was actually shining and 10 minutes later ... it was dark!

Monday 14th was a brighter day ... a day for walking ...

our lovely landlady Debbie suggested a quick scenic drive to Ennderdale so after  lunch off we went ...

It only too ten minutes and there was Ennderdale Water in the distance

The walk we took was along the back edge in these photos.

Photos of our Ennerdale Water walk and the remainder of our holiday coming soon.

A great place to stay ...

 

                                     Red How Lodge, Lamplugh, Cumbria

George and I have just spent a week at this beautifully restored Lodge house near Lamplugh in West Cumbria.

The weather could have been kinder to us but it was January after all.  It certainly didn't stop us from getting out and about visiting the various lakes even in the cold and wet.

Our evenings were spent in front of a roaring log fire in the cosy, comfortable lounge with its stone mullion windows and a glass of wine or two.

The kitchen and dining area are very well equipped ...

with all you would need ... and more.

With two bedrooms to chose from it was ideal for us when our eldest grandson came to join us for a couple of nights.

Outside at this time of year the snowdrops carpeted the woodland floor which surrounds Red How Lodge, it was an amazing sight.

And for when the weather gets warmer sit out at tables and chairs in the garden ...

and look up at the old (and some ancient) moss-covered trees and listen to the birds ... wonderful ... and  I even saw a deer running through the woods but missed the photo opportunity.

As the first guests to stay at Red How Lodge we were warmly welcomed by the delightful owners who were able to advise on where the closest shopping and best eating places were.  In the Red How visitor information folder there are lots of ideas on where to go and what to see plus other important information.

So, where did we go?

For meals out we visited

The Vagabond, Whitehaven and the Kirkstile Inn (twice) - both highly recommended (advise prior booking)

Touring we visited ...

Windermere, Ennerdale, Grasmere, Whitehaven, Ambleside, Ullswater

Watch this space for the photos!