Review - Hawksdale Lodge, Lake District

Nestled in the countryside of the Lake District Hawksdale Lodge provides the ideal setting for those looking to get away from it all for a few days.

The beautiful 1840’s house is set in the heart of the countryside, where stepping out of the front door you are treated to breathtaking views across to the Northern Pennines and the hills of Dumfriesshire.

When thinking of the Lake District the first thing that comes to mind is of acres of countryside, with hills and fields to walk for miles.

At Hawksdale Lodge you can admire the views firsthand, and it is easy to see why so many writers and artists have been inspired by the landscape.

After hours spent travelling in a car I was able to take in the view before being warmly welcomed by owners Lorraine and Martyn Russell.

The Bed and Breakfast has a real homely feel to it, manly due to Lorraine’s amazing skills in the kitchen.

From homemade rhubarb muffins, sourced from the garden of Martyn’s aunt, to delicious freshly baked bread from the local baker, and eggs from the free range hens guests taste buds will be more than satisfied.

The two rooms in the main house are luxurious, with period furniture and views of the surrounding countryside.

A new self catering unit called The Apartment has just been launched, catering for families or groups of friends wishing to take a break away together.

It sleeps four, with two double bedrooms, and provides the perfect location to relax after a day spent exploring the local area.

Our hosts for the weekend were very warm and welcoming, and more than happy to recommend places to visit for an evening meal, and give directions to attractions.

Their love of entertaining is clear to see, as throughout the weekend they couldn’t do enough for us, with the simple aim of ensuring we fell in love with the Lake District as they had.

Hawksdale Lodge is ideally situated just outside of the village of Dalston, six miles from the M6.

For the keen walkers the Cumbrian Way runs close to the B&B, and there are many other walks around the immediate area.

The village of Dalston is quaint, containing two pubs, cafes, and shops selling local produce, and is well worth a visit.

For those wishing to explore the lakes Ullswater is a short drive away, where you can gaze at your surroundings by boat courtesy of Ullswater Steamers.

Ullswater valley is breathtaking, with its beautiful lake nestled amongst towering fells.

The award winning Ullswater Steamers has been operating for more than 150 years and creates the perfect opportunity to combine a lake cruise with some of the most famous and spectacular walks in the Lake District.

Another attraction well worth a visit is Aira Force, a tumbling waterfall that drops an impressive 65ft and can be reached by an walk through woodland.

For more information or Hawksdale Lodge or to book a room call Lorraine and Martyn on 07810641892 or visit www.hawksdalelodge.co.uk/

To find out more about Ullswater Steamers and for a timetable visit www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk.

For information about Aira Force visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/aira-force-and-ullswater.

Getting excited about Christmas in November? Hell yes!

Is it bad that I am in Christmas mode already, and it is only just November?! Before you all shout yes and tut at me (like Joe does every time I mention the C word) let me tell you that this is normal for me. I absolutely love Christmas, it is my favourite time of the year! What’s not to like?! You get yummy food, presents, decorate the house, go to parties, and spend time with the people you love. In fact I love this time of the year, and the whole build up to Christmas, with all the exciting things that happen. I generally start getting excited around the end of October, in time for Halloween, and this lasts until the 2nd of January, where I hit the January blues big time! So for you of you lovely readers I have complied Laura’s List to Christmas - things to get you in the mood for the big day!

*Buy a cheesy Christmas CD, and insist on playing it in November (to the annoyance of your partner/family/friends)I have my cd! I used to have a great Christmas cd, with all the classics on (including Jingle Bells, I wish it could be Christmas everyday, Merry Christmas, and Rock around the Christmas tree) but I managed to lose it in the house move. I couldn’t eneter the festive period without one, and managed to buy a new one on a recent shopping trip. I have played it quite a few times - though always when Joe is out. I think he might kill me if I put it on now, but it will be done soon!

*Get an advent calendar.Advent calendars are not just for kids! I have had one every year, and will continue to do so until I am old and wrinkly collecting my pension. Mum always got me one as a kid, but now I have to buy my own. I do though, and I delight in getting the most childish ones I can find, as I refuse to grow up! Ha! Advent calendars are fab as you can count down to Christmas, and also get a piece of chocolate every day!

*Christmas decorations up on December 1.I would have them up even earlier if I could get away with it! It always makes a home look great, especially fairy lights which add a magical feel. This year I have decided to buy new decorations, as my old ones have seen better days. I am excited to chose them, and turn our flat into a little Santa’s Grotto!

*Visit a Christmas market.I always go to one of these, as I find they are the perfect way to get in the mood! The little stalls selling all kinds of gifts, food and drink are great, and I have picked up a few presents from ones I have visited. When I was at University in Worcester we used to go to the market every year, and I still go to that one now, along with the Bath and Bristol ones. This year I am taking an extra special person to the Worcester market - my beautiful goddaughter Ellie. At 4 months she will not be too aware of what is going on, but her mummy and I will love it. And Ellie will like all the lights and sounds!

* Drink mulled wine teaA little gem that I discovered last year was mulled wine tea. Don’t get me wrong, the alcoholic version is better, but I think drinking that at work would be frowned upon. But the tea version is nice, smells of Christmas, and can be consumed in the office without resulting in you getting the sack. Go get some!

*Attend a Christmas light switch onA really nice build up to Christmas is to go to a light switch on. It is fun to stand in the crowd, countdown from 10 to 1, and see the pretty lights come on. And usually there are celebrities who do the honours. The best one I have been to was in Bath, where Nichola Cage pressed the button, and it was packed1 I got to meet him afterwards, the perfect end to a perfect day1 This year in Bath we have Alex and Matt from the One Show, so looking forward to that :)

*Eat a Christmas sandwichWhile browsing in Sainsbury’s on my lunch break i was excited to see that the Christmas sandwiches are out - turkey with cranberry sauce and stuffing. Yummy! I am a big fan of theses, though this year am trying not to have as many as I did last year because it is quite expensive to buy sandwiches everyday! But I will be treating myself to a few over the next 2 months!

*Go ice skating on an outdoor rinkThis makes me think of Winter Wonderland, and is fun to do! I am accident prone and not the best skater, but spending most of the time on my bum is always enjoyable when Christmas tunes are playing, and everyone is so happy! This year is the first year that Bath has an outdoor rink, so I will be going there!
So go on - do some (or all) of the things above and embrace Christmas in November! :)

Top five musicals

Inspired by a friends blog I have decided to create a top five list of my favourite musicals. This task is easier said than done, as there are just so many to chose from! I have loved musicals for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I wish life was like a musical. Imagine having a dilemma in your life and suddenly breaking into song about it. Complete with a chorus of people behind you dancing! It would probably get annoying after a while (especially for everyone near me, as I can not sing at all) but for a month or so I would love it!

#1 This was hard, as there were a few musicals I could have put in the prized top spot. It was such a difficult task picking that I made lists with all the things I like about each one. In the end The Lion King came out on top. This combines two of the things I love the most - musicals and Disney! I saw this in London, and was speechless (which for people who know me will know is extremely rare!) The costumes were amazing! And I was singing along to the songs :)

Favourite song - Hakuna Matata

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzXYHbykL1c

#2 The second spot goes to Wicked, which was a serious contender for number 1. I went to see this in London the week after it came out. I didn’t really know what to expect and went along with an open mind. I thought it would be enjoyable, but was pretty sure it wouldn’t go down as one of my favourite musicals. How wrong I was - it was fantastic! I can’t watch the Wizard of Oz in the same way now, and I love how the musical follows the story of Elphaba, the ‘wicked’ witch. Wicked was written by Gregory Maguire, and after the show I went out and got the book. It is so cleverly written, and he has other stories that are takes on classic tales - like Cinderella told by the ugly stepsisters, and Snow White told by the Queen.

Favourite song - Defying Gravity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g4ekwTd6Ig

#3 Phantom of the Opera comes in as number 3. I have loved this musical for years, but until this year had never seen it on the stage. I had read the book, and watched the film though. I went to see it in Bristol in April, and it exceeded all expectations. The scene where the chandelier crashes down was amazing, and complete with the dramatic music sent a chill through my spine. But what really blew me away was the set! Before I went I was wondering how they would show the phantoms lair, under the opera house. The result? A fabulous set that moved apart, revolved, and had hidden trapdoors and nooks! And using dramatic smoke screens they managed to make it look like he had disappeared!

Favourite song - The Phantom of the Opera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej1zMxbhOO0

#4 Position number four goes to Cats. I loved the Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot as a teenager, and so was keen to see Cats. I saw it in Bristol, and thought it was amazing! The costumes were really impressive, and the songs are so catchy! I love how each of the cats have their own personalities too. After seeing the show I rushed out to get the cd!

Favourite song - Mr. Mistoffelees

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx7HhYXCxa4

#5 Last but not least is Blood Brothers. This was one of the musicals I studied for my disertation, and I developed a bit of an obsession with it. I found the whole thing fascinating, with the twin boys being bought up in very different families. One rich and one poor. It offers the question is it nature that makes us who we are, or nurture? Blood Brothers makes me cry, but it also makes me think. I loved the stage show which i have seen twice, both in Bristol.

Favourite song - Marilyn Monroe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx22yRR6gi0

What do you think? What musicals are in your top 5?