A Few Days in The Lake District!

3+ hour drive, country walks, Kendal mint cake and naturists birthday cards in your local postal office? Yes, my innocent eyes are now scarred for life as I nibble on my nostalgic handmade oatie biscuits! Best of both worlds! *Disclaimer* This article may contain nudity.

May I start with, who doesn’t love a long road trip? Playlist at the ready, speakers turned all the way up, fuel tank maxed out, is there a better feeling? Well… I woke up with an eye infection. Swollen, and felt as though grit was trapped somewhere in my eye-socket. Out of all days, luck clearly was not on my side! Packing a weekend bag was no fun at all since I practically couldn’t open my eye without discomfort! A speedy trip to pharmacy was much needed before a long ride close to 200 miles away. No instant remedy but soothing enough for me to take the edge off. Now, it’s time to floor it!

Day one, rain began falling and the journey took it out of me, so I scheduled exploring for Day 2!

Day 2 is upon us: Somehow I woke early – willingly I’ll have you know, and googled the best spots to explore the picturesque views. Staycations automatically include hiking, surely? So Orrest Head caught my eye! I thought I’d pick an easy route as not everyone you travel with may enjoy it or are potentially novices to hiking trails, so it’s best to start off slow! I loved it, at first we got a tiny bit lost, which took an hour longer than we envisioned, but once we found our footing it was a wonderful, memorable but calming day!

Beautiful weather, families and couples also enjoying this joyful experience which I’d rate ever so highly!

As I drive back to the cottage, we decided to grab a bite at The Punch Bowl Inn. The service and atmosphere left a lot to be desired. Let’s just say rolling of eyes, no change of cutlery in between courses and around 8-9 houseflies attracted to a certain plant a metre or two away from you as you’re eating indoors. Having to waft my hand to protect my salmon from being perched on, isn’t what I’d consider a positive experience. Especially paying almost £30 for this one simple dish alone! What a privilege. Overpriced, overcharged and if you don’t know how to smile, please locate the raid spray to relieve the housefly hub! But the water wasn’t too bad, I must say.

Day 3 arrives: Shopping! I fell in love with oatie biscuits on this trip. That, and cumbrian fudge. I think I had a taste of heaven and needed to relive these tasty discoveries back home. As my sat-nav led me onto an unnecessary lone dirt-track country road when I previously drove on a main road without potholes, I was far from happy. But it’s all part of the journey and holiday which makes the experience, even though my sat-nav is unable to find the simplest route; I’m sure it just likes to see me squirm! But I finally made it, knowing for a fact that’s not a route I’d ever willingly take again!

The shops had many goodies for foodies like me, although I must say, many of my favourites were practically sold out! So I had to look far and wide for my must-haves. I finally found a good stockist which I almost happily wrote out a IOU for my life’s duration; what can I say, I like to keep topped up! I then popped into the post office, as it may have hidden treasures from this idyllic area, only for my rose-tinted glasses to be cracked. No, literally, the last thing I expected to see were bare cracks. You should’ve seen my face; excuse my prude, innocent eyes. I’m pretty sure not all post offices stock these and I was surprised to witness them so easily accessible, not even placed on a higher shelf to shield younger, impressionable eyes. We all have our preferences and that’s all I can say about that!

Then for the last night, between watching olympics and Love is Blind UK, we made a lovely cottage pie and to round off the lovely stay, there’s only one way; biccies and unlimited cups of tea. If that doesn’t recharge your batteries, I don’t know what will!

Have you been away this summer? Have you ever visited the Lake District? Where is next on your travel list? Comment below!