Carol has been in the UK for a week now, visiting Nicci & family in Euwell & Hull. I flew out early Friday morning & met her in Manchester Airport, to discover that they had given our previously booked hire car to some else! We eventually got a replacement - a Toyota so tiny, that we couldn't get our two medium sized bags in it, without folding up the back seats. I then had to drive hunched up over the steering wheel, as I couldn't get my seat to go back far enough!
It had loads of amenities which we didn't have time to use, which was a shame. I was a little tired after travelling from Abu Dhabi, so after a very nice dinner in the hotel, we retired to bed with a bottle of champagne!
Saturday dawned. It was a big day for us. The only day which we would have to ourselves! After a mammoth full English breakfast (which was superb), we drove the short distance up the eastern side of Windermere to Greater Langdale.
It was a beautiful drive with a great combination of woodlands & fells, past the Wainwright Pub and we just got out of the car for a walk, when the phone rang & it was Alison wanting to meet up in Windermere town! Now, the reason for this little English jaunt, was that Alison was getting married to Ian. So we just had to be there! We turned the car around & found Alison, her dad John & son Jake happily esconsed in a pub, watching football! We had a very nice couple of hours catching up on everyone's news. But with Carol & Alison, there was only one topic of conversation the wedding, which was next day! Carol & I left the pub, dropped the car off at the hotel & went back to Windermere to meet up with the extended clan. The hours flew by in a whirl. It was a lovely evening.
Sunday was the big day - but the wedding wasn't until 3pm. So Carol & I once again had a run out to Greater Langdale. The weather was very mixed, with showers, but it was a very pleasant morning, nicely topped off with a pint in the famous pub! This really is my kind of pub, a traditional lakeland stone flagged bar with real ales, great atmosphere & a long, distinguished history. On this occasion, we didn't have time to try the food, but there was a long mouth-watering menu on display! One to note for the future!
We drove back and changed hotels, to the rather older and grander, Langdale Chase Hotel. And what a place it was! Extensive gardens, with stunning views of the lake.
Our room had a wonderful terrace, that was just perfect for cocktails in the early evening! The building is over 200 years old, but kept in very good order. We changed into our wedding attire & hit the bar to meet Ian's side of the family. Very friendly they were too and it was really great to meet them all.
Monday dawned grey and with plenty of rain. It was with a real sense of regret, that we had to leave. A great hotel in a wonderful setting with good friends. They were staying on of course, but both Carol & I had work. The rest of the day was unremarkable, apart from the relentless rain. We arrived back in Abu Dhabi at 4 am, where our daughter Rowan met us (bless her) and drove us home. A quick shower and a change & Carol & I were back on the road, heading for work.
We both had a great trip, but far too short. We vowed to go back to the lakes, for some walking & exploring the many other attractions on offer. I didn't do any birding but still managed to see plenty of Common Buzzards; a lone Red Kite; Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch. A singing Chiffchaff reminded me that spring was here, despite the English weather!
Till the next time!
Carol & grandaughter Peaches
Looking happy in Euwell.
A night out with old friends in Hull:
Jenny; Sue; Carol & Anita.
The very grand, Low Wood Hotel.
That was all the bad stuff over in an hour! We then headed up to our hotel on the banks of Lake Windermere. The journey was easy, despite the rain and as we got closer to the Lake District, the scenery got more spectacular. We hadn't been to the Lakes for many years & had forgotten how nice the area really is. We stayed at the Low Wood Hotel, which was well situated with nice views & extremely comfortable. 
Views from the Low Wood Hotel
The view of Lake Windermere from the hotel.
Evening views, just before the rain!
The entrance to Greater Langdale
The famous bar!
It was a beautiful drive with a great combination of woodlands & fells, past the Wainwright Pub and we just got out of the car for a walk, when the phone rang & it was Alison wanting to meet up in Windermere town! Now, the reason for this little English jaunt, was that Alison was getting married to Ian. So we just had to be there! We turned the car around & found Alison, her dad John & son Jake happily esconsed in a pub, watching football! We had a very nice couple of hours catching up on everyone's news. But with Carol & Alison, there was only one topic of conversation the wedding, which was next day! Carol & I left the pub, dropped the car off at the hotel & went back to Windermere to meet up with the extended clan. The hours flew by in a whirl. It was a lovely evening.
Sunday was the big day - but the wedding wasn't until 3pm. So Carol & I once again had a run out to Greater Langdale. The weather was very mixed, with showers, but it was a very pleasant morning, nicely topped off with a pint in the famous pub! This really is my kind of pub, a traditional lakeland stone flagged bar with real ales, great atmosphere & a long, distinguished history. On this occasion, we didn't have time to try the food, but there was a long mouth-watering menu on display! One to note for the future!
The lovely upland river, next to Etterwater,
near Greater Langdale.
The Langdale Chase Hotel.
Our little terrace!
The complete view from our terrace.
The view towards the coachhouse.
Carol enjoying the bracing
Lakeland temperatures!
In the bar, before the big event!
The ceremony!
Cake cutting!
The Happy Couple!
A lighter moment!
Their first dance!
Alison & Carol
All too soon, we were ushered in to a spectacular vaulted room, where chamber music played from the balconies. Ian was there wearing tartan trousers! He looked like a cross between Rupert bear and a famous golfer! Then Alison slowly came down the stairs and she looked great! The ceremony was simple but touching and then it was over! They were man & wife! More drinks followed in the bar, before our wonderful wedding meal. Wine flowed and the company and food were superb. We both had a great time. Tiredness eventually won over & we retired to bed for some much needed rest. But it was a lovely day. Thanks for the invite guys!
Monday dawned grey and with plenty of rain. It was with a real sense of regret, that we had to leave. A great hotel in a wonderful setting with good friends. They were staying on of course, but both Carol & I had work. The rest of the day was unremarkable, apart from the relentless rain. We arrived back in Abu Dhabi at 4 am, where our daughter Rowan met us (bless her) and drove us home. A quick shower and a change & Carol & I were back on the road, heading for work.
We both had a great trip, but far too short. We vowed to go back to the lakes, for some walking & exploring the many other attractions on offer. I didn't do any birding but still managed to see plenty of Common Buzzards; a lone Red Kite; Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch. A singing Chiffchaff reminded me that spring was here, despite the English weather!
Red Kite, once more flying over the Lake District,
after a successful introduction programme.
Till the next time!
