Cumbria and Edinburgh and Karin

We arrived in Grasmere, Cumbria on Xmas eve. Graham had booked us into a beautiful landtrust house behind Wordworths cottage!! The house was fabulous, we all had our own rooms, a beautiful fireplace (that took awhile to start), stunning views and did I mention we all had our own rooms!
I really loved the lake district, I'm not sure it was everyones cup of tea though. We didn't walk as much as one should but on the other hand we were all very tired and in need of some rest time!

Rob, the girls and I did battle with our first Xmas.
We were very lucky to have Karin (my cousin) join us on Xmas eve. She lives in York but had managed to take some time off and had booked into a motel in Grasmere. She spent her time with us, which was so wonderful and very very special to me.

One of the highlights for me, that week, was a visit to Castlerigg in Keswick. It's a mini Stonehenge! You can't really stand there without feeling some wonderment at the tenacity of the people who survived and lived in times gone by. The freezing temperatures and dismal days without cars, heaters, microwaves and mobile phones - well all I can say is I would have given up!!!

I desperately wanted to drive over to Whitehaven to my maternal grandfathers birthplace, unfortunately we didn't quite make it. Perhaps next time.
We did have a lovely day in Edinburgh though. (my heritage on my Dad's side) I thought it was gorgeous, very very different to London but I loved the Castle and the fabulous views from every vantage point. I'm not sure if it's in my blood or the fact that in my youth I attended a number of Scottish gatherings, either way I have always loved the bag pipes! Whilst we were strolling (again running) down the main street in Edinburgh, 2 pipers started up on the corner street. With the castle in the background and the beautiful pipes playing - I did feel some stirring of the blood!

Well the weather was perfect, no rain, just beautiful sunshine. Of course that meant no snow either! The day before we left the temperatures plummeted, minus 11 c and minus 17 c were recorded in the villages around us. That last night the snow fell!!! Oh so beautiful.
The next morning ( in the pitch dark) we left Graham and Chris to (very kindly) tend to the house whilst we made an early start for Manchester airport and our trip to Dublin. Well the snow may be beautiful but that meant our car was not moving!!! Rob, the girls and I pushed and pushed and dug up snow, whilst poor Tony tried to drive the car over snow and ice. (he also pushed and dug!) We finally made it to the main road and were very happy to see the snow plough had been ahead of us!
After a few hours delay at the airport we were finally on our way to Dublin to Ken and Marise. (more of my cousins!)