Sunday, 4 May 2014

Bonnie's Lakeland Holiday

Every year, Bonnie takes us on holiday somewhere in England. This year, it was to the Lake District - she chose well, don't you think?

We are now back home and already I am thinking about our next visit to this absolute gem of a place. It was our fourth visit to the Langdale area (three times to Chapel Stile and once to Troutbeck) and it was only on our way home that we realised we are in danger of becoming the type of people we like to scoff at - those who go back to the same place, time after time. We've tried other parts of England, we really have - Devon, Somerset, Derbyshire in recent years, but after a while we get that itch to go back to the lakes again... just like we do when we haven't been on a canal boat for a while or to Greece.


This was the view for our window - it doesn't get much better than that.

I think it did me good to be away from the computer for a week and even mobile reception was sporadic. I had the idea that I wouldn't connect to the wifi at all for a week but after a couple of days I did succumb I'm afraid - in the same way that I succumbed to the chocolate Easter eggs we'd brought with us (is that why I put on weight despite walking 8 miles every day?)

The only bad thing that happened, while we were away, was when the path we were following, beside a waterfall, petered out leaving me scrabbling on a hillside of scree. I was not amused - in fact it's safe to say I cried (I don't like heights) when I found myself unable to go either up or down with the wind picking up and the vertigo setting in. Sometimes I wish I was braver.

Here is one of the fells we walked on. We didn't know what it was called, so we named it Tracy Fells after my very clever writing friend whose short story 'Household Gods' made the short-list of 2014 Commonwealth Writers Short Story Prize. The link is here.

I found I had sold a story to PF while I was away but, most importantly, the fresh air, exercise and peace recharged my batteries and I have come home with a head full of new stories just waiting to be written.


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27 comments:

  1. Helen Yendall4 May 2014 at 23:22

    Wendy, that looks beautiful (in fact, I'm going to show your photos to my man, to convince him that we need to take OUR Bonnie to The Lakes!). We've only been once (before we had our dog) and it was a bit disappointing - rainy, cold and we ..ahem.. had a teenager in tow, who was a bit hard going...! So, I think it's time we had a return trip. Glad you had a nice time!

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    1. Wendy's Writing4 May 2014 at 23:36

      If you do decide to go, feel free to pick my brains, Helen - it's a perfect holiday for a dog.

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  2. Teresa Ashby5 May 2014 at 07:41

    It looks and sounds wonderful, Wendy - a truly inspiring place x

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  3. Sam Carrington5 May 2014 at 07:42

    It looks amazing! Well done Bonnie. I have yet to visit the Lake District but it is on my list of places to go (although it has been on that list for quite some time!) Glad you had a lovely time and well done for your PF sale and to Tracy for making the short list! I will check out the link :)

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  4. Rena George5 May 2014 at 07:54

    Never been to the Lake District, Wendy, but I can tell from your descriptions and lovely photos that it's something we'll have to put right. Rx

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    1. Wendy's Writing5 May 2014 at 08:36

      Once you've been you'll want to go again, Rena - trust me.

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  5. Sue Blackburn5 May 2014 at 09:33

    Oh I can so sympathise with your terror Wendy. I'd have been just the same.
    Looks like a gorgeous place and perfect for recharging the batteries. I think it is a good thing to get away from the internet occasionally (occasionally!!!) x

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    1. Wendy's Writing5 May 2014 at 09:45

      We were surprised when our tiny cottage actually had wifi!

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  6. Rosemary Gemmell5 May 2014 at 09:43

    I love the Lake District, Wendy, though my husband is convinced it rains all the time and we get that at home. Your photos are lovely and it's a wonderful break to get away from everything almost completely.

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    1. Wendy's Writing5 May 2014 at 09:47

      We've been five times now, either in April or May, and we've only had one rainy hol. Even then, we still had dry days as well. Persuade your husband, Rosemary.

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  7. Simon Whaley5 May 2014 at 11:59

    I always find the Lake District inspirational! I usually go twice a year for a week, if I can, but have been known to do it as a day trip (it's a 300-mile day trip!).

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    1. Wendy's Writing5 May 2014 at 12:04

      Wow, that's a long day trip, Simon. What's your favourite part of the lakes?

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  8. Anonymous5 May 2014 at 13:40

    That looks beautiful, Wendy. There's something almost spiritual about the Lakes, isn't there? Quite a lot of my PF stories have been based there. The Langdales particularly have that 'otherness' about them that's difficult to describe - though I know just what you mean about ending up on scree. Several times, I've had to slide down some on my bottom!

    My husband is from the Lake District and over the past thirty-plus years we've visited his parents 2-3 times a year, first just the two of us and then with our daughters, so have many happy memories, especially around Coniston. Sadly my father-in-law died in 2000 and my mother-in-law died last year, so that long chapter is over. The house is in the process of (finally - so much for the lively housing market!) being sold, and me and Other Half may go up for a last, bitter-sweet visit in a few weeks. His brother and sister still live in the area and have been keeping an eye on the house in the meantime.

    Happy days.

    Lilian x

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    1. Wendy's Writing5 May 2014 at 18:06

      When you go up again, Lillian, remember all the wonderful happy years you have spent there. It will be sad for you but your husband's parents would want you to continue enjoying their special place.

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  9. TracyFells5 May 2014 at 15:03

    Can I let Bonnie chose my holiday next as she has such good taste! I thought I recognised the view from your cottage - I stayed in Chapel Stile with parents (early teens) and we had much the same view ..
    And I'm honoured to have a Lakeland Fell named after me, thanks for the mention too. Shall we celebrate in the usual way?

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    1. Wendy's Writing5 May 2014 at 18:07

      Bonnie has chosen Alaska for you, Tracy... OK? Yes, we shall celebrate in the time-honoured teacake tradition.

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  10. Jane Bettany5 May 2014 at 15:38

    Sounds wonderful, Wendy (apart from the bit on the hillside of scree, of course!). Fresh air, exercise and inspiring views. What more could you wish for!

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    1. Wendy's Writing5 May 2014 at 18:08

      A glass of chilled white wine I think, Jane!

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    2. Jane Bettany6 May 2014 at 07:53

      Of course! Haha... or two would be even better. :)

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  11. Joanna6 May 2014 at 09:03

    Beautiful pictures, Wendy, of the beautiful Lake District. It has always rained heavily whenever I've been there, which suits me well as I love rain and it somehow suits the landscape too.

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  12. Lynne Hackles7 May 2014 at 09:40

    I like the quieter bits of the lakes but last year made the mistake of going to Windermere. Queuing up to look at a lake isn't my idea of fun. Your place would have been a thousand times better.

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  13. Keith Havers10 May 2014 at 06:13

    Glad you had a good time. Thanks for the pictures. Congratulations on the PF sale.

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