As we approach Preston we encounter another first for our family. As our speed drops down from 70 to 0 mph, we realise that we are now in our first traffic jam. Fast forward 2 hours and about 40 miles and the traffic jam is now behind us. Just 1 hour to go and we'll be there, but that still doesn't stop those childhood cries from behind "Are we nearly there yet?".
Eventually we arrive and Wow! What a beautiful site. The caravan is situated in an amazing setting with chicken, hens, rabbits and even some cows wandering freely around the site. For the kids, within throwing distance and within sight is a set of swings and slides.
At the end of our first day here it started to rain heavily. This was the first time the children had heard the bombardment of heavy raindrops against the metal roof of a caravan. Niamh, Aoife, Jacq and I found the sounds very calming, almost therapeutic. However, for Seán the loud constant irregularity of the noise caused great discomfort.
The evening came and passed. In the morning we were woken by the call of the cockerel. An unusual yet familiar sound. After, cereal, toast, and eggs for breakfast (not all on one plate), it was time for a small walk.
What a walk of nature, with cows, chickens, rabbits, bees, ladybirds and loads of wild flowers to pick, poke and persue. Fun was had by all. This is only the morning of our first day! Hopefully the start of lots of childhood memories for our children.
The following day we decide to venture away from the campsite, partly due to the fact that after a visit from Stuart and Emma, our car now has enough diesel to move. First port of call, Kirby Steven, followed by Appleby, Kendal, Bowness and then finally Bowness-on-Windermere.
The final step of our journey brought back a deluge of memories of my own childhood. Many summers spent at 'Fallbarrow Park Campsite' taking evening walks along the the lake. Today, was no different. We parked up by the pitch and putt and walked alongside the church grounds until we were at the lake.
Seeing all the swans, boats and ice cream parlours proved to me that this lovely tourist spot hasn't changed much. The only differences that I noticed was the large number of Chinese tourists and a lack of glass! As I child I recall every shop selling glass hand-made by the glass factory, but alas that factory/museum has changed and is now a restaurant.
Sod the kids, even if they didn't enjoy the ice-cream, rock or picnic, today I had an amazing time!
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