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Closer to Home

Sometimes we don't stray abroad for our adventures; sometimes we like to explore more of our own country, and September of 2015 saw us doing just this. Having had a week in Santorini earlier in the year, we decided to get away again for a few days to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. This trip saw us driving up to the Lake District to explore some of the most stunning scenery that England has to offer, and we were certainly not disappointed (despite some pretty rubbish weather whilst we were gone!)

For the drive up to Lake District, we took my latest Honda, a CRV. Whilst not the fastest, most beautiful vehicle, she would certainly do well on some of the more "rural" roads it has to be said. We stayed in Keswick which is a stunning little town towards the top of the Lake District National Park. In the town there was a lovely array of independent shops, lovely cafes (including one in the square we had a fab breakfast at) and a hotel that had a beautiful restaurant that did the most impeccable steaks. So good, that we had to get a picture taken of us with our steak...



In terms of adventuring, we're pretty sure that by the end of the 3 day trip we had driven every road in the national park and had seen many a stunning view. The main highlights included hiring a boat to explore Lake Windermere, and whilst the weather was definitely against us with rain and fog, we still got to see an amazing array of landscape from the lake.



After a day spent on the lake, we then spent one of our other full day heading out to Honister Slate Mine and all I can say is WOW. This place is amazing. They do all sorts of different tours; or adventures as they call them. And they really are adventures. You can climb through the mountains and go on rope bridges etc; however, due to the rubbish weather we opted to just do one of their standard mine tours that can be done in any weather. The tour guide was fantastic and very knowledgeable and we got to see some fantastic sights that you just wouldn't get to see unless you had worked in a mine normally. 

Outside of the mine, they also have slate you could purchase for various things. They did solid slate kitchen counter tops; personalised numbers and signs for the front of your house, placemates, drinks mats... the list goes on and on. We treated ourselves to a rough cut piece of slate with holes for tealights.




All in all, we both really enjoyed the Lake District and I think it would be great to go back in a different season (maybe summer when it's warmer and sunny?!) and explore it all over again!




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