A birthday and a holiday!

Well we knew this year would start busy....so we planned a few days away with the idea that we would need a break. Well, we went away and had a GREAT time, but have come home exhausted.

We left on the day the UK had its heaviest snow fall for 25 years, and drove up to Cumbria. The motorways weren't too bad, with just the outside lane buried in snow. As we got towards the Lakes, the views were stunning. When we arrived, we were all enchanted by the 'winter wonderland' that greeted us. The snow was deep (for the UK), and still untrodden. Thankfully we all had the right clothing with us. This time we were joined by my eldest, Daniel, staying in our lodge; and my mum and dad staying in a lodge about 10 mins ride away.


We love our holiday home, and had soon unpacked, turned up the central heating, and piled the logs by the fireplace. Then the younger children went out to build a snow man. Unfortunately, being UK townies and not used to snow, they didn't realise how cold it was and they soon ran back in with frozen red hands! Their older brother felt sorry for them and built a snowman for them - right by the back door. The snow was gathered from under the trees, so is full of pine needles, and his head fell off just before I took the photo, hence the slightly odd shape and texture.


The very next day was Harmony's 6th birthday. Its amazing that she is 6 already! People all around the world have watched Harmony grow from a tiny baby into a lively little girl on Chromasia. Its amazing!

She had a homemade gluten free birthday cake in a 'H' shape, and lots of presents and cards. Unfortunately, it was then we realised that the presents from Dave and I had been left in the hall at home - but she had plenty to occupy her and more to look forward to when she got home. You can see she is used to cameras being around!



As usual, we hired bikes and spent lots of time riding around or in the pool. This was the first time Harmony managed the hills by herself - she is growing up! Finley and Tabby still hitched a ride in the trailer behind Dave.



Food was mainly cooked in two big slow-cookers; one for the veggies and one for the meateaters and coeliacs. Just what we needed at the end of a busy day! We haven't seen my parents for over a year, so evenings were spent talking and looking through photographs as we caught up with each other. For me, highlights were a family bowling session and swimming in the outside pools surrounded by snow and ice! It was the first time Finn had been bowling, and the first time I have swum outside in the winter with my dad, Daniel, Rhowan and Harmony. Camilla and I did some outdoor swimming in December surrounded by Christmas trees - which was fab!



On the final night Daniel went to the pub for a few beers, and all the little ones were fast asleep, by 10pm. Amirah was chilling with a film on TV, so Dave and I decided to make the most of the situation and went for a midnight walk through the woods and around the lake. I didn't take any photos, but here is one of the frozen lake taken in the afternoon. Very pretty! We had dinner at the Lakeside Inn on wednesday, as it is one of the few places that have gluten free childrens meals on the standard menu (hooray!). Too cold to eat outside admiring the view though - lol.


Today we got home just after midday and, after a very quick lunch, Dave rushed down to the office to get images ready for a client, while I stayed home to act as referee between the tired children and catch up with my emails. As well as the usual stuff I have been invited to join a couple of steering groups and panels - which look really interesting!


Oh well, back to the usual chaos. Time for the washing machine to start up again ;-)