Birthday in a Boat

I think it's always great to see your birthday date written down and this year was no exception. It gave me a smile when I checked my phone in the morning to see what time it was...

I've been very much looked after today, while enjoying a host of Lakeland activities and fine foods. That is, of course after a few cards and pressies in bed.

I was presented with a 'Birthday Menu' which started off with fresh blueberry smoothies.

Just the 'freshener' one needed before trying out one of my presents - coffee table table-tennis!

From a choice of banana pancakes with maple syrup or wild Alaskan Salmon scrambled eggs on English muffins, we opted for the eggs - served with fresh coffee from a local Lakeland roastery.



As the house we were staying in had private launch and usage of Esthwaite Water, we worked off the meal by walking down the long drive and heading out for a tour of the lake.

Clare was the chief gondolier, to begin with, and ferried us down the east coast to the southern tip as the sun came out. Greebs, Swans and Cormorants all came up close to us as we glided past.

From the middle of the lake we had great views down to the Langdales, where we could see some rain showers passing by and a low but bright rainbow.

I took over the oars for the return journey, which had the advantage of going with the wind after a nice calm section in the shelter of the far banks.

Just before we made it back to the house and despite rowing as fast as I could, the rains caught up with us! The passengers all huddled down under golf brollies, but the birthday oarsman had to take it on, out in the open.

It soon passed over and we were able to walk back up to the house while I drip dried.

We warmed up with some tea and birthday cake!

We then said our goodbyes to the Broomriggs residents and began our journey back home. But only after having stopped for an official birthday swim. Getting into the wet wetsuit was bracing, but once we got swimming it felt fine. We got in just north of the west side ferry near Sawrey and swam around a small island.

Then went directly to the Swan Hotel for 'Birthday Drinks'!

Even finding out that the M6 south was closed didn't dampen our spirits, but we did arrive home later than expected. There was still just enough time and energy for fireside food and a few extra cards and pressies! Brilliant day!