A week in the Lake District - plenty of water, couldn't really expect anything else. Rainy day followed by two dry days, followed by rainy day, followed by two showery days.
Tiring Thursday - accompanied by closest cousin S and family, and youngest cousin A and girlfriend we ventured out for a morning of activity - mountain biking in Grizedale forest. Up and down hills on forest tracks - enjoyable but knackering, especially for the young newcomer to the Sandford clan. And we only encountered a brief, drizzly shower. In the evening, the forty-something generation escaped into Ambleside for the traditional dinner out. Tapas this time, with the traditional inquisition of cousin A centering on his matrimonial intentions.
Fiddling Friday - dodged the heavy showers to amble into Ambleside where la belle-mère purchased birthday and christmas presents, belated and advance for la bienheureuse et moi. Bolting the stable door after the horse had bolted, we both chose light waterproof jackets. Takeaway fish and chips for 21 in the evening, but the weather forced a generation. Three age-groups, three aparments.
Stopover Saturday - up early to pack and clear the apartment by 9am, dropped off la grand-mère in east Cheshire, then headed across to north Wales to visit le beau-frère, la belle-sœur et les belles chiennes. Tour of the landowner's personal wood before chicken dinner. Finally back to west Cheshire to view the evil red empire spawn a flukey win against for forces of footballing good.
Southbound Sunday - headed back to east Cheshire to meet up with 2 frères, 1 soœur, 1 belle-sœur, 2 nièces, 2 neveux, a dog and a cat for lunch at the pub, and a few games of Mario Kart before heading further east and south to Cambridge. Arrived chez J&C in time for delicious porc au lait and a glass of wine or two.
Moody Monday - sunny skies outdoors were clouded by emotional trauma deep inside. We suffered with friends afar, but the weather did its best to cheer us up, as did the evening house-warming skiing reunion BBQ chez H le rouge and la sereine. Before the meal, a tour of the local sights - the unconsecrated graves of three 17th C religious non-conformists - and an energetic game of football between two young Austrians and three old crocks.
Traveling Tuesday - up even earlier to catch a ferry at 11am, caught in plenty of time despite going nowhere for half an hour on the M11/M25 slip road. Then a gloomy 750km drive through rain, rain and more rain to finally arrive at home, sweet home just before nine in the evening. Ritual sigh of relief to find a dry apartment once more.
