August Round Up
August Round Up
August saw us have a few quiet Sundays but then right at the end, we had a small holiday in the Lake District. The 6 week holidays were in full swing and the kids were jostled from one family member to another and a holiday sports club in between. The kids have been learning how to ride their bikes and at every opportunity, they have been to the park (which, lucky for us, is 20 steps from our house.)
Monday 5th August
Our first outing for the month wasn’t as a complete family. A friend we have met through Instagram invited us out for a walk, just us moms and kids, as the dads were at work. We met at Ilam Park, a National Trust property in the Peak District and we had a stroll through some fields to Dovedale. The kids mingled and played with each other, the sun was shining, and the promise of a picnic helped the kids up the steep incline of Thorpe Cloud. Laura and I giggled our way back down as we imitated the famous Jamaican Bob Sled team from Cool Runnings. I think we should start our own bob sled team!
We walked on to Dovedale stepping stones, which was busy, but not as busy as I have seen it before. We hopped over the stones and walked back along the river chatting away. A lovely day with new friends!
Saturday 17th August
I was desperate to get outside at this point in the month, after having spent the last 2 weeks decorating the boys’ room and the hallway. I finished work at 4 o’clock and we drove straight to The Wrekin. This is our local hill and quite easy for us to access. We arrived at half past 4 and was straight up to the summit in 40 minutes. A record time for us, as the last time we came, it took us and hour and a half! I felt refreshed and energized, the kids were getting along and the tension had started to lift. It’s great what a bit of fresh air can do for you.
Sunday 18th August
We spent today in the house finishing off bits of decorating, but managed to get out on the bikes for a few laps on the park with the kids. I can’t believe how well Molly has done with her bike. She got on it and would not gve up until she started riding it. And now she has! We are now able to go out for family bike rides and broaden our adventure spectrum!
Wednesday 21st August
Today is Finleys birthday. Unfortunately the kids went to sports camp but I picked him up early and we went for a meal to celebrate. He had lots of shark related paraphernalia and a snorkel to take with us to the Lakes.
Thursday 22nd August.
Travel day! We packed up the car and made our way up to the Lake District.
A 3 hour car ride took us up to Keswick first, as we couldn’t get in the cottage until 3 o’clock. We had a wander around and checked out one of the MANY outdoor shops in Keswick centre! We exchanged some of our money for Lake District Pounds, to spend in souvenir shops and for the kids to feel like we were abroad! Eventually we made our way to the cottage and met my mother, then went in search of a supermarket.
We visited Morrisons in Whitehaven for some essentials and then had a walk along the beach, throwing stones into the sea. Finley was desperate to try his snorkel, but we left that for another day!
Friday 22nd August
I had booked for us to try some paddle boarding. We booked with Lake District Paddle Boarding and had an absolutely amazing time. The kids loved every second of it. We are currently looking for our own SUP boards for our outdoor collections!
After we exhausted ourselves on the water, we took a stroll up Catbells. The views over Derwent Water are amazing, I would definitely recommend the hike up.
Saturday 23rd August
Saturday took us on the banks on Windermere as we experienced the ferry crossing to explore in Bowness-On-Windermere. Honestly, there wasn’t much that we could see to do there, but I don’t think we explored enough. Back on the other side of the lake, we ran up to the Claife Viewing Station for a panorama of Windermere, before running down tot the mountain goat that took us to Hill Top. Home of Beatrix Potter and her creations, the kids were happy to look around looking for hidden mice and hedgehogs. We love a bit of history and to see where Peter Rabbit was born, felt like a great privilege.
Sunday 24th August.
The weather was beautiful, and as we were only 15 minutes away from Ennerdale Water, we bought ourselves some wet suits and decided to try out Finleys’snorkel. The waters were blue, the sky was cloudless and the sun beat on our backs while the kids splashed around in the water. Finley claimed this was the best day ever and a snorkel was all he ever wanted!
Monday 25th August.
Our last day in the Lake District was spent in Rydal. We walked a circular route up to Loughrigg Fell and on to Rydal Caves. Again, the weather was so warm, the hottest Bank Holiday Monday on record, apparently! The trig point was claimed by thousands of flying ants but thankfully, they left us alone while we ate our lunch! Our route back down was calm, peaceful and my idea of perfection. Just us, on a hill, gazing at the beauty around us. It’s where we connect and where I feel most alive.
September will take us on a few different outings. A trip to Shreks’ Adventure in London, an inflatable play zone and hopefully a #GetOutside #HikerKidz meet up!
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What a perfect time to be in the Lakes. The sun rarely shines in Cumbria lol. It was pretty much my second home at one time, reading your post as made me want to go back soon!
Ahh! We did get lucky with the weather. It’s a beautiful place and we will definitely return at some point.
I really want my two to try paddle boarding as I think they would like it. Love the Lake District!
It is a super fun activity. Definitely worth the money!
I can probably count on one hand the number of dry days we have had in the Lake District, you lucky people. It sounds like you had an exhausting but wonderful time, lovely photos.
We were lucky! Thank you so much
I love the idea of this diary to capture all of your summer adventures. We don’t love too far from The Wrekin so would be a good challenge for us too, thanks for the reminder.
I hope we can look back on this and remind ourselves of what we’ve been up to! The Wrekin is a great little walk.
I love the lakes. We’ve not been to hill top yet. Sounds lovely. I love dovedale stepping stones too. Not been for years
Hill Top is wonderful. You can really get into Beatrix Potters head!
What a great month you’ve had! The Lake District is beautiful x
Thank you, It was a lovely month of adventures.
It sounds amazing, you picked the best time for your holiday.
We were lucky with the weather!
Sounds like a lovely August. Despite living near it for 3 years I never walked up The Wrekin. And your trip to the Lake District sounds fab!
You must make a trip. The views are superb.
You managed to fit in so much during the summer holidays! It sounds like you did a lot of fun things.
We did thank you. We had lots of fun.
Sounds like a great summer, slightly jealous of Lake District and Peak District, living in Norfolk we tend to travel to either of these to get some height, as we are completely flat! Last time I climbed Loughrigg I was 6 months pregnant with child number 3!
Wow, that was good going! We are closer to the Peak District, but I do wish we lived somewhere in between!
We climbed Loughrigg this summer x It was our 4 year old’s first fell x I trained to be a teacher in Ambleside. I love the Lakes and going there always feels like going home x So many memories reading your post x
Ahh amazing! I’m glad my post helped you relive some memories! The Lakes are beautiful.
I’ve not been to the Lakes but it looks lovely. I will definitely have to add a trip here to our list of things to do next year. It’s always difficult to fill the holidays with things to do but it looks like you had a fabulous time.
School holidays are tricky. You should definitely visit the Lakes. Such a beautiful part of the country.