Canopy Home Pub

Following the Seasons in the Lake District

Everyone knows that the Lake District is beautiful. Each season has its own character, so no two visits would ever be the same. There is an abundance of self catering Lake District cottages to help enhance your visit. Here are some of our seasonal favourites...

Spring

Magical walks through bluebell-carpeted woods, spotting wood sorrel as its flowers rotate to follow the sun throughout the day; golden celandines; wild garlic with its starry white flowers; jolly primroses and frothy dog's mercury. Try Wallabarrow Woods in the Duddon Valley, Dodd Wood near Keswick, Johnny's Wood in Borrowdale or the Brandlehow Wood at Derwentwater.

Head to Ullswater to catch Wordsworth's famous Daffodills: 'I wandered lonely as a Cloud/That floats on high o'er Vales and Hills/When all at once I saw a crowd/ A host of dancing Daffodills'. They were inspired by a walk taken by Wordsworth's sister, Dorothy, in April 1802.

While you're in the Ullswater area, take a frosty walk up Aira Force. When the waterfall still has it's post-winter volume, but before the tree canopy has closed overhead in spring, it's a really magical sight.

Words by the Water is a quality literary festival held at Keswick's Theatre by the Lake each March. Last year's crop of speakers included the popular novelist Penelope Lively; Man-Booker shortlisted local girl, Sarah Hall; historian Ian Mortimer and comic broadcaster Stuart Maconie. 2011's headliners include Joanna Trollope, Claire Tomalin, Gervase Phinn and Justine Picardie.

Cumbria's stately homes and castles re-open in the Spring. Try Muncaster Castle on the west coast; Mirehouse, at Bassenthwaite; Brantwood, overlooking Coniston Water; Hutton-in-the-Forest, north of Penrith and Holker Hall, at Cark-in-Cartmel.

Spring is lambing season, from tiny white Rough Fell lambs in February to black-as-pitch Herdwicks in May. The first one is a sight to report, but within a month the fields are heaving with little bleaters.

There is always a good selection of Easter events including the Great Peter Rabbit Egg Hunt, a large-scale event covering the entire Lake Distrct. A hundred eggs, with vouchers for prizes, are hidden in tourist hot-spots. The event is over when all the eggs are found!

The Keswick Mountain Festival takes place in May, with a combination of guided activities, competitions and talks. It was particularly good last year, so we have high hopes for 2011. There are plenty of Keswick cottages in the area to as an added bonus.

Summer

Summer is walking season. Anywhere. Everywhere. There are so many lovely places to walk, from mountains, to river valleys, to conifer forests , indigenous deciduous woods, the Cumbria Coastal Path and the Coast-to-Coast walk. Have a crack at the Woolpack Round, a sixteen-mile circular walk from the Woolpack Inn in Eskdale which includes Scafell Pike, the highest point in England. We love to amble along the Derwent in Borrowdale or the Esk in Eskdale.

Experienced climbers will head for Great Gable and Napes Needle the birth of British rock climbing at Wasdale, for a challenging climb unencumbered by hoards of visitors. Beginner? Take a few lessons with Tim Mosedale.

A bright Lake District day is perfect for a picnic. Pick a spot by Devoke Water or Blea Tarn; Derwentwater is always lovely, and easy to get to with pushchairs and wheelchairs; Ennerdale is blissfully quiet; by the medieval bridge over the Derwent at Grange, whilst the kids have a paddle, or there's my favourite: under the shadow of the Bowder Stone in Borrowdale.

With all these calm lakes about, why not try your hand at sailing, rowing, or canoeing? Hire craft and take lessons at Derwent marina.

You can swim in the lakes, or, if you're at our lovely quiet west coast, a dip in the sea at the MCS-approved waters at Seascale and St. Bees Head. Whilst you're in the area, take a bracing cliff-top walk at St. Bees and spot thousands of rare black guillemots, and masses of kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars, linnets and rock pipits.

Don't miss the ospreys in Dodd Wood, above Bassenthwaite. Every year, between April and August, there is a special viewing point where you can see the new chicks being fed, and the adult birds soaring over the lake, fish in beak. There is even a webcam in season.

There are lots of festivals throughout the summer, including the Keswick Beer Festival  and Boot Beer Festival in Eskdale. I have it on good advice that there's excellent beer to go with the music at the annual Cockermouth Rock Festival, affectionately known as 'Cock Rock'. Last year's headline acts were Dodgy and 80's favourite, Sham 69.

The agricultural show season kicks off too at Cockermouth, Coniston, Penrith, Ambleside, Cartmel, Hawkshead and Grasmere.

Autumn

Autumn in the Lake District is often gorgeous. There are a lot of native deciduous trees here, which rust gently from September to November into lovely shades of gold, red, russet and brown. My favourite place to take in the show is a bench on the eastern shore of Derwentwater, with Brandelhow Wood on the opposite shore, reflected in the lake. Take a camera and a flask!

This is foraging season, too. Pick some blackberries (always called brambles hereabouts!) for a pie (always known as a 'plate cake' hereabouts!) from any wooded area or hedgerow. In October, look out for sloes - fat, purple berries – and add them to gin, to make a rich, purple sloe gin liqueur that will be ready for Christmas. Collect pine cones to use as fragrant firelighters when winter arrives. And don't forget conkers!

There's a very good chance of spotting our native red squirrel in Cumbria in autumn. They're smaller than the grey, with pointed faces, tufted ears and delicate 'hands'. You're most likely to spot them at Dodd Wood, near Keswick, at Whinlatter Forest Park and along the Keswick to Threlkeld railway path, but you may see them in any wooded area, especially if there are a lot of conifers.

A lot of agricultural shows take place in autumn; traditionally, these were the fun-and-games when the harvest had been safely gathered in. There are many of these, in every valley and many a village across the county. One of the most famous is the Egremont Crab Fair – 'crabs' are crab apples not seafood! – which also hosts the annual World Gurning Championship. In this competition, people compete to pull the strangest face in the world. Apparently, a lack of teeth helps!

Egremont Crab Fair is one of many autumn agricultural shows to feature Cumberland & Westmorland Wresting. This is a traditional sport where the idea is to start standing up, and end up with your opponent on the ground. It used to be famous for the floral trunks worn by competitors, but these have gone by the wayside in recent years as it was judged that they were putting off youngsters. I, for one, miss them!

Our vote for Britain's Wackiest Festival goes to the Biggest Liar Competition, which takes place each November at the Santon Bridge Inn at Wasdale Head. The competition is open to all comers except lawyers and politicians, who are judged to be too well-practiced in the art. Past winners include locals, staff and the comedienne, Sue Perkins.

Winter

Roaring log fires with pine-cone firelighters; extra-thick woolly walking socks and toasted toes. This is a great time to try out some of our cosy vernacular pubs for a pint of real ale and some traditional Cumbrian cooking – we like the Black Cock at Broughton-in-Furness, the Dog and Gun in Keswick, the Sun Inn at Bassenthwaite, the Brook House Inn at Boot in Eskdale, and the Shepherd's Inn in Ennerdale Bridge.

Set out from your holiday cottage in many a Lake District valley, and yours might be the only footprints for miles. One of the loveliest sights in a Lakes winter is hoar frost on holly: lovely, glossy green leaves covered with diamond-like glittering ice crystals. You know all those Christmas cards with  robins on frosted holly, eating fat red berries? Well, they really do that.

One of my favourite things to do on a cold day in January is fish 'n' chips at the Old Keswickian in Keswick, followed by a tootle down to see the frozen lake (look but don't touch, please!)

Keswick's annual Film Festival is held in February. 2011 will focus on Film 4, Agnes Varda and 'Odd War Films'.

Blow the cobwebs away at Whinlatter Forest Park with a walk through pine forests. There are waymarked trails suitable for all levels of experience, including children, plus there are mountain bike trails, and, weather-permitting, the Go Ape! high wire course. Open daily for most of the year, but just at weekends in January.

Steam from the coastal village of Ravenglass to the village of Boot in Eskdale with the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. It operates a reduced schedule over winter but is usually running at weekends. It's a fabulous time of year to catch the views along seven miles of the Eskdale valley, with views to the Scafell range beyond.

Several stately homes dress the house for a sumptuous, Victorian-style Christmas. Holker Hall, at Cark-in-Cartmel in the south-west Lakes, is a great place to visit in December, with magnificent decorations, hog roasts and seasonal entertainment for children. Muncaster Hall is a wonderful place to visit on dark December days, as they have a sound-and-light show in the garden after dark, and wonderful traditional decorations. You can even take a candlelit tour. What a lovely way to the end the year!

Staying in Lake District cottages is the ideal way to get the most out of your visit. You'd be crazy not to!

About the Author

I was born and bred in Eskdale and brought up on a working farm. My family where always branching out into new areas which eventually led to the self catering lake district holiday cottage industry. I've followed in those footsteps and enjoy sharing the little hidden gems the Lake District has to offer.

Backpacking Check List

Hiking Record (through web.outdoortentexperience.org) Important Things! Camping area booking data. Guidelines towards the genuine campsite. Packing -- Fit meals on the bottom (you may need other items initially) Backpack, backpack, and/or fanny package Totes -- Tent bag, foodMoncler Günstig hand bags, and so forth. Cardboard boxes as needed Ice Boxes Glaciers! 5 various gallon pail or maybe comparable pot Significant (18-30 gal) Rubbermaid(tm) container for foods storage area Lighting -- Verify batteries! Maglight ( space ) The larger, better Fuel lantern (and/or electric) BIC lighter in weight Meets (if possible water-proof) Give up battery packs as well as lights Free lantern energy along with mantles Solar power Shine Stays Batteryless Bulbless Flash light Shelter/Bedding Getting to sleep case Place Umbrella Surface Cloth ( space ) Tarp for giant camp tents Flooring Mats (utilize in camping tents entrance) Bedding or perhaps sleeping pad ( space ) Inflator for blow up mattress Cushion Camping tents Seam Sealer Go camping guitar or sort to help pound covering buy-ins Colour Canopy panels & Rope & Stakes Emergency blaket (found at your local supermarket) Tikki Torches (fill up together with citronella oil), in addition indexed by medical. Cost to do business rainfall tarps (besides colour). Existen bale (in order to pass on with dirt or maybe off-road parts). 10-12 " toenails through big box store regarding emergency outdoor tents stakes Their tea candle lights to help draw in which outdoor tents stakes are generally Indication that claims Virtually no Candles within Camp tents! Medical Epipen for those who have allergic reaction Sunscreen lotion Irritate Resilient * Squirt, Citronella Wax luminous, and so forth. Tylenol, Advil, Pain killers, Naproxin Tums Antibiotics creams Forceps pertaining to splinters & clicks Antiseptic, bandaids and bandages Emergency first aid kit (might include all of the previously mentioned things) Benadryl Sinus Tablets Allergy Eye declines Jean pocket Flesh Campho-phenique (perfect for minimal burns, reduces, scrapes and several apply it to killer ivy) Succulent Towelettes (for cleaning acute wounds and also first uses with toxin ivy) Additional days supply of just about any Prescriptions Container involving latex safety gloves (Hundred bunch) Cleansing & Private Things Tavern water and soap Side Sanitizer (waterless) Washcloth Scrub Tooth paste & toothbrush Comb/hair brush/clips/bands/hair ties Make-up carrier Blade & waxing cream Bath towel Toilet Paper In order to save living space, unroll tissue papper in addition to reroll the item and place within the tube Take broom to wash kitchen table and tent internet site Deodorant Contact lens resources Girlie supplies Dish-washing soap and rubber hand protection Dish sheet Washing Soap (biodegradeable chosen) Miscellaneous Number of important phone numbers Sacrifice car/truck/boat/rv keys Small spade Switzerland Armed service cutlery Compass along with Map Reef fishing pole along with tools (+ permit & bait!) Duct record and/or electric video tape Safety hooks Stitches system Cellular phone w/extra battery power in addition to vehicle adapter Two-way stereo(azines) (pig, Clickbank, Loved ones) Photographic camera w/good battery and further movie Hd camera w/good power supply and other audio tapes Airwaves and/or Tv set Temperature Radio Crankup Stereo Publications (ID textbooks, Very little Residence), cards, game titles, toys, Somebody, and so forth. Minute card table Income, plastic card, Identification Bank account Application Guitar/Harmonicas/Other musical instrument(ohydrates) Bike/Seats/Helmets Long distance scopes Whistles Signal Reflection Recliners Travel Time clock Clothesline and Clothespins Fundamental resources (tools, pliers, and so forth.) Water piping water pipe pieces for the campfire See observe Rope or even Stringed Synthetic leather whitening strips Weighty silicone rings Canoe or maybe motorboat Life jackets Little bit of carpeting (artificial lawn) regarding tent or RV entranceway Pet Food Spectacle tie (to hold these people with your mind) Fireplace newbies (within Barbecue parts of retailers) made out of feel and saw dust Steel Made of woll (may be used to start a fire by simply pressing finishes involving battery into it - Take care!) Sand Paper Electrical cords Parts involving cardstock as well as pencils/pens Milk products dog crates (perfect for storage area, corporate and more) Travel Swatters Toothpicks Dustbuster Sleeping earplugs (to close out the deafening others who live nearby) Outfits Loath Bandanna Hat - Seeing that temperature determines; Eskimo style, mackintosh, windbreaker, etc. Poncho ( space ) Greatly improves because urgent situation tent/lean-to Pants/Overalls, along with strip Lingerie - A couple of Tank top ( space ) A few (a single mild, a single cotton) Shoes or boots, bath shoes or boots, Walking Boot styles Stockings - 3 pair Do the job gloves & comfy mittens/gloves Swim suit PJ's Sun glasses Sulfer ( space ) helps to keep chiggers through your clothes Preparing food Cooker along with gas & lighter Classifieds regarding illumination the fire Firestarter is (wax/sawdust things through the food market) Log Cooking with charcoal briquettes or maybe solid wood & Barbecue grill regarding Bbq grill Fry pan : Nonstick w/plastic spatula is good Cooking food skewers (for warm canines, s'mores, for example.) Cooking pot or maybe hot sauce recipe griddle -- Adequate to prepare spaghetti for all those; Using lid Saucepan Can certainly operator -- In case you have processed products P-38 Can certainly Operator (armed service type, smaller, toned along with corresponds billfold) Thermos Tongs Espresso maker & filtration Cooking pot lifter and/or cooking pot members Tablecloth Stew Marijuana Soup Ladel Hoagie manufacturer (variety you spend hearth) Calibrating goblet Reducing Mother board Strainer Vegetable Peeler Recipes Recyclable Menu -- Partition tray/plate is great Collapsable camping/hiking mug Alladin take a trip coffee mug Kitchen area blade : Wonderful to obtain; normally, carry a jean pocket cutlery Tiny mixing up serving Cutlery, Pay, Spoon, Spatula Smaller ripped in addition to phillips screwdrivers Polish Pad Recipe Pot Tupperware (for outstanding) Consumables Sponges & napkins Waste totes Waste disposal totes (tougher as compared to typical garbage totes) Document clothing, cups, containers, and many others. Plastic-type material blades, forks, spoons Ziplock Totes Aluminum Foil Recipe soap Water At the least 1/2 quart for every person/day -- Water filter if perhaps depending on all-natural lakes Drinking water bottle of wine, to handle even though hiking Garden hose Foodstuff & Beverage Pancake Blend * Krusteaze, 1/2 mug for each man or woman every day (have to have significant griddle) Olive oil * With regards to One particular oz every particular person each day or perhaps Pam Bottle of spray Syrup * About 2 oz every human being every day Butter -- 1/2 stick every person per day Malt-o-meal, or Lotion associated with...[wheat, rice, ...] Oats -- Instantaneous a cup packs Taters - 1-2 for each individual on a daily basis -- lock up dried up if packaging Bread : 2 pieces every individual on a daily basis Eggs * 1-2 every man or woman every day, new or perhaps powder Spaghetti ( space ) Noodles, Angel Head of hair, Ramen, or maybe seashells Spaghetti Hot sauce recipe - Inside containers or even not properly hydrated Dairy products Bouillon cubes - Poultry & Plant Almond bundles Soup/Chili : combination or maybe ales Tuna fish : Make sure you remember Mayo, pickles, and also onions Onions, lemons, weeds, Tomato vegetables Loaf of bread Body or 2 loaves on a daily basis if perhaps backpacking which has a small group Dry condiments : Sodium, Pepper, Seasoning, Sugars Ketchup Mustard Mayonnaise * Smaller container or maybe fit bottle of wine Dairy products - Cheddar, swiss, Us Fruit : Modest fresh fruit k-cups or perhaps fruit Produce ( space ) carrot/celery stays every day Taco Products - (Various meats, preparing package deal, olives, lettuce, tortillas, buns) Cheese burger animal meat (pre veteran and able to prepare) Icy hashbrowns in the bag Cocoa powder, Coffee, & Green teas (make sure you remember Mister!) Marshmallows, Graham Saltines & Hershey Cafes (S'mores) Peanut Butter & Jelly Deli meats cuts: Poultry, Ham, Salami Hotdogs & buttocks Take advantage of, fruit juice, soda pops, Ice Teas, Lemon Ade, Kool-Aid Vienna Sausages Lil Smokies Goodies Cheese burgers & Buttocks Meat Pork Ingrown toenail on Cob Cereal Nutri Feed Bars/Granola Watering holes Fixin's for stew (some of the backpacks are previously mentioned) Light beer Few seconds Put as well as Typical fat free popcorn Stovetop popcorn fat Apply acrylic (just like Pam) Press butter or maybe margarine Beans Outdoor camping having Youngsters Recent pictures from the little ones just in case these people get lost Baby diapers Swimming Diapers Wipes Bottles/sippycups Playyards Going for walks push strollers Book bag insurers Numerous groups of outfits Further set of two(utes) of shoes System Jar foods Gerber kid food A terrific way to Gadgets, Favored cover or maybe packed plaything(vital!) Powdered dairy(for the kids that have outgrown formula) Snack foods Storybooks Newborn Hammock Newborn Swing action kidsafe bugspray sunscreen Portapotty using food market case lining (easy cleaning)

Help on set up of a high school graduation open house?

How and where do you set up picture boards, gift box, signing stuff? Cake inside or outside? My husband seems to want everything outside, but I don't think you would want a cake melting or to leave photos and memorabilia to the weather. Please let me know what you have seen done... I guess I haven't been to many open houses. I'm imagining food in garage, beverages in tubs of ice outside on deck and in garage. Cake inside on dining table... at the middle point in our home next to kitchen and gift card box table with digital photo frame on one pub table, photo display on another table with dog and scroll to sign. Some of my family has concerns that I don't want people all in the house, but they won't be (I don't think) because we'll have two 10x10 canopies with tables and chairs on deck and in driveway in front of the garage. Thoughts and advice on this plan. I just wish I could go on a quick "Parade of Graduation Open Houses" LOL. Help and advise needed and appreciated.

I think keeping the food, even the cake, and photos in the garage is the best bet. If you have plenty of seating available outside, people will generally take the hint and keep out of the house. Have a sign on the door pointing the way to the bathroom, but that's it. There will always be those few people who feel they know you well enough to hang out inside, but generally people will hang out where it's obviously decorated and arranged for entertainment purposes.

Ben Lomond Bungalow at Quail Hollow Ranch Park-Mobile.m4v