Trip to the Lakes

End of a week of nights... Ahhhh. ITU nights just aren't the same as being 1st-On since CEPOD came into effect, the Critical care patients just don't get better, and you can't go to bed!

Ah well, at least it's over. To celebrate (and to put off revision a bit more), Rachel and I went to the Lake District this last weekend. Oooo, it was lovely. My grandma owns a little flat near Ambleside on the banks of Lake Windermere, and it's a great place to use as a base for the whole area. Of course whilst counting the remaining minutes of the last shift on Thursday morning, there was a flurry of snow and I wasn't sure we'd be able to go! Luckily it didn't stick in the Midlands, but there were plenty of snow-capped fells when we arrived.

What with the baby on the way, there was never going to be a marathon walk on the cards, so we prepared ourselves for a weekend of shopping and eating! On Friday we drove up the Struggle, up to the top of Kirkstone Pass where there is a lovely pub (in the photo above). We were surprised to see kids throwing snowballs and sledging - we had certainly forgotten ours, so we joined in by making a snowman.

The next day was brilliantly sunny, and we thought it best to stretch our legs. There is a perfect walk near Hawkshead that is good for anyone who can't walk too far, round a tarn called Tarn Hows. I have been round there almost everytime I've been to the Lakes as a child, usually the day after a storming killer of a hike that my Dad wanted to do! The tarn was a beautiful blue colour, and the sun was low enough for me to practice some more amateur photography.

After another few gut-busting meals and another walk up to Jenkyn's crag, it was unfortunately time to come home. I guess we'll just have to come up with another excuse to avoid the revision!