The Lake District - Day One

The kids had a week off from school in October (referred to as half-term). Actually all the kids in the UK had the same week off. There are a few private schools here and there that have different vacation dates but for the most part everyone gets the same week. Which must have made sense to somebody sitting in an office somewhere, but to me it is completely insane. Do they have any idea how hard it is for a doctor to get a week off when every other doctor with kids in his department is also trying to get the same week off? (and of course there have to be doctors working). Further, do they have any idea how hard it is to find a hotel or airbnb with availability when there is the potential that every family in the entire country is also looking for a place to stay. Ah! It is just one of the things that I don't understand about this place, but it makes sense to them. I will admit that this would make family reunions a whole lot easier.

*I should also note that if you try to take vacation while school is in session they can fine you. I actually had to sign a contract that said I wouldn't do it. Even for Cam! As if a 4.5 year old missing a couple days of school is catastrophic to his education! But this will be further discussed in a later post.

Under these circumstances, Andrew was not able to get the entire week off but he was able to get a few days tacked onto a weekend so we decided to head up to the Lake District (Cumbria). I had heard that this part of England would be especially beautiful during Autumn.

We left after the boys got out of school on Friday and hit the most horrendous traffic we have experienced thus far. We didn't end up getting to our hotel until 1am. The kids didn't transfer very well and Esme screamed for longer than I'd like to admit but eventually everyone fell asleep. At one point I thought maybe Esme would calm down if she had some milk to drink but I didn't have any and didn't want to drive around trying to find a grocery store open (I actually never plan on driving on the left side of the road...it freaks me out enough to watch Andrew do it). But luckily there was a tea and coffee service in our room and they had these tiny little servings of milk for tea (like sacrament cup sized). I emptied all 10 of them into a bottle and that seemed to help. 

The next day was quite rainy so we drove up to Lake Windermere and visited the aquarium to escape the rain for a bit. I wasn't expecting much out of this aquarium. It was really small. But I was pleasantly surprised by some of the exhibits that were set up. It was actually pretty interesting.

For instance this ant display completely blew my mind. And it was out in the open (not behind glass). This rope was draped from one end of the display to the other and one end had a pile of leaves on it. These ants are referred to as leaf-cutter ants and they cut leaves and bring them back to their colony. I was a little bit mesmerized watching them work and reading about them was even more interesting. They are like a highly organized little army.

Oh yes, the rain paid us back with a rainbow

I loved how the moss wrapped itself over everything

We all breath a sigh of relief when this happens. She doesn't sleep long in her stroller but it is magical when she does

This is Wray Castle. We didn't go inside...kids were getting tired and damp.

I know. So many pictures. But how could I not?

More good than bad

I thought Mema would get a kick out of this picture. She knows this look all too well. Luke is in the zone playing "angry face" (aka Clash of Clans) while waiting for Dad to come out of the temple. Classic example of how we can be so consumed by what is happening on a screen while there is a gigantic beautiful masterpiece right behind us :).

This morning Luke said he was worried that what happened in Paris would happen here in London. I could not assure him that it wouldn't happen here. All I could tell him was that I believe there are a lot of good people in the world. There are more good people than bad people. And I believe good will win. 

Leeds Castle and a view from my window

On the way home from the White Cliffs of Dover we were going to be driving by Leeds Castle. It is quote "the loveliest castle in the world" so we thought we would stop and take a look. It was closing when we arrived and we couldn't get through the gates of the enormously long drive way. We were worried we might not be able to even catch a glimpse but then as we were off on a side road, we saw some locals walking and asked them where we could get a view of the castle. They told us about a footpath that would take us to a great hill overlooking the castle. It is where all the locals go to watch fireworks when there is a special occasion going on there. It was perfect. I do have a tiny itch to go back and see it up close sometime (I hear it has a moat!) but I definitely was filled for the time being.

We walked through this sheep farm (part of the public footpath)

Leeds Castle in all its loveliness

Trying to get the kids excited about more photo-taking

Luke is my little acrobat so he really got into this

Dad knows how to get them smiling

These are all blurry :( but so cute that I'm posting them anyway

Give these kids a field to run free. They are happy.

I love catching little moments between these two. Cam always looks at his Dad with such admiration. Andrew is his number one hero.

The next morning I woke up and there was a nice morning light (post stormy weather)...

This is my view from my kitchen window

This is my view from my bedroom window

I don't know if a photo adequately captures it. I love looking out this window

There are some nice private yards below. We are sort of surrounded by incredibly wealthy people. We are not one of them but definitely enjoy their pretty homes and yards.