Holiday in the lakes

I was a little anxious how Amber would feel about me going on holiday without her, though this was just me being my usual stressy self. I was slightly apprehensive about the holiday, I was going away with Louise, someone I had only met once before (we have a mutual friend and have been chatting on Facebook for sometime.) I was also anxious about traveling up to Essex as I would be doing this alone, and for me this would be a massive challenge. The journey itself wasn't that bad, and the underground was a lot easier and calmer than I thought it would be. The worst part was the waiting at Laindon train station for Louise to pick me up. I kept thinking, I must be mad, I'm going away with someone I don't really know. Several ciggies and a panic attack later Louise pulls up in her little focus (apologies if I got that wrong Louise!)Once Louise and I had said hi I felt much better, I was made to feel welcome and lucky for us we appeared to get on straight away, we were about to spend a week together so if we hadn't of it would have been a long week!


I think Louise and I went straight for the banter thing rather than the normal awkward pleasantries... this was a good thing as I had to endure Cricket on the Friday night and sport radio on the drive up to Cumbria, I was so glad I had my earphones as it was starting to be a long drive! I had never been up north before, I knew that it was going to be beautiful but I wasn't prepared to fall in love with the Lakes :) Just being their made me feel so calm and relaxed.

The weather wasn't really on our side, it was quite hot as we drove up which made things a little uncomfy at times. Sunday was very wet, though we were lucky enough to have a visit form Steph, Claire and John who traveled up from somewhere near Manchester, it was lovely to meet them in RL, we had a nice chilled out afternoon, and we all got to enjoy Louise's fabulous cooking.

On Monday the rain finally cleared up and we were able to go for a walk, Louise was surprised at how unfit I was, I was surprised at how quickly I struggled with my breathing! I did my best not to complain though, and Louise looked after me really well, checking my heart rate and making me get back to safe levels before setting back off again. It took us 4 hours to get to somewhere that should of taken about an hour and a half ish! I did my first bit of scrambling, fell down a rock, saw my first good view of the lakes and I did my first fell. Despite the fact that we didn't go up as high and as far as Louise had planned I accomplished a lot and was very proud of me! We got back to the apartment to find that I had the biggest blister known to man!

Tuesday I was under orders not to go out and it rained so we spent the day chilling out and doing girly stuff. Nails etc, Louise had arranged for us to meet up with her cousin and his wife for dinner and despite not doing anything we sill managed to be 40 minutes late for the reservation!

Wednesday I felt like I was up for more walking, I didn't see anything wrong with having a blister, but Louise being the expert she knew best! SO popping a compeed on and an extra pair of socks we left for Grasmere and Easedale tarn. having a limited amount of time on parking meant a short walk, this was cut shorter by us stopping to watch the lambs playing with each other! The walk was a lot easier that Low pike as it was less of a gradient and I found I enjoyed it more because of this. The views were fantastic, we had a laugh as we walked and it wasn't too hot.





Thursday we didnt go into the fells but around Lake Windermere, we saw some roman ruins and spent some time being transfixed by the ducklings playing in the water. We then found a pub and sat on the edge of the lake drinking cider. It was warm when the sun came from behind the clouds, I enjoyed people watching and found sitting on the edge of the lake very relaxing.



Friday was a day for Louise to go out on her own, she said she was happy to stay with me but I know she fancied a long walk that would challenge her. I was also made a cripple by my stupid blister as it had popped and the skin had come off, I had by this point had to bandage it up and just walking barefoot was painful. I was gutted as I wanted to see more of the fells. Though by late morning I was thoroughly bored of being indoors so I grabbed my sketch book, popped some pain killers and had a wander through Ambelside town. I found I wasn't in any pain going up or down hill, just on the flats so I decided to go for a little stroll, I traced the steps we walked on Monday, Friday was quite warm and I wanted to do some sketching so I sat among the sheep and drew the landscape.




Saturday saw us having to pack up, I was totally chilled out and relaxed, we were also up the earliest we had been as we had to leave by 10am. And for a change I cooked the breakfast, letting Louise relax as much as possible knowing that she would have the 6 hour journey back to Essex. We stopped for something to eat at an American diner, the food was nice, but I was bowled over by the milkshake! Louise and
I had already arranged for me to stay at hers on the Saturday night as I would have got back to Gosport Saturday evening and I didn't really fancy 9 hours traveling in one day with the drive and then the trains. When we got back to Essex we were still in holiday mode, so after hauling everything out of the car we cracked open the southern comfort and laughed over our antics.

Sunday I got home and was already missing the lakes and Louise's company. We have already arranged for me to accompany her next year and the plan is to get me fit so I can do Scafell Pike, I am up for the challenge and I hope to continue what I started in the lake district, though I have a feeling that I wont quite get the same feeling walking around Gosport, All I can say is watch this space.....