Time spent with friends..

...is time well spent!

Traditionally we go on a trip away with two of our oldest friends (known longest, not years of age oldest!) to celebrate the boys' birthdays in January but this year we decided to celebrate the girls' birthdays, too! So when I spotted a Groupon offer for two nights in the Lakes, complete with spa, pool, steam rooms etc. (and at a very nice price), it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get away for a good old catch-up and some well-deserved r and r.

As you'll see from the photos it was a bit touch and go with the weather. However, it was Rav to the rescue! A quick post on British Knitters and within minutes a very nice Raveller who lives just down the road from the hotel got in touch with an on-the-spot weather report - amazing!

The Whitewater Hotel is well-named! A former mill, it sits right on the side of the river which was very full. The water levels were almost up to the lower level windows of the hotel restaurant (not the rooms which were higher up!). I think you can get a feel for the sheer volume and power of the water from the photos.

We enjoyed a lovely dinner on Friday with plenty of laughs until the wee small hours. A gentle walk on Saturday, a boat trip across the lake and a trip on the Haverthwaite and Lakeside Railway was followed by a Rasul Mud Temple Ritual which was amazing - highly recommended!

 Sunday was dry and bright so a bracing walk was in order. Naturally all good walks end with cake and coffee so we found a gorgeous little cafe and enjoyed doorstop sandwiches with homemade bread and pickles, homemade cake and piping hot coffee - yum!

We wrapped up the weekend with a trip on the car ferry and a leisurely drive home - lovely!