We thought we'd make the New Year a little different this year, so we headed up to the Lakes for a few days.

We booked a little log cabin through Airbnb and used it as a base to have a little travel around the area.  We stayed at Lowick Green, just 5 minutes away from Coniston Water, so we spent most of our time exploring around the lake.
The weather was a bit grey and cold, so we had to restrict the walks a little bit due to the little monster.  He's usually a good little rambler, but the cold was going straight through to his bones.

Our nights were spent chilling out in the cabin.  We played poker and Pictionary, watched Rom-Coms and scary movies, cooked microwave TV dinners, ate lots of snacks and chocolate and drank a bit of booze.  (Well, we did - the kids just got hyper on hot chocolate and fizzy pop!)

It was a perfect way to welcome in the New Year.  It was also nice to have some time off work and get in some special family time.

Happy New Year folks, here's a few snaps from our trip.

P.S.  If you want a bit of money off an Airbnb booking, just clicky HERE. 

After visiting the castle, it was time for the worst part of the trip - the journey home.
We decided to liven up the drive by taking the scenic route - through the beautiful Cumbrian countryside. 
We stopped off for a picnic at Thirlmere - a reservoir that sits beside the massive Helvellyn mountain range.
We had a little walk through the trees and a mini picnic on the banks of the reservoir.
Our visit was cut short though, as the storm clouds soon came thundering over the mountains and quickly turned our once-sunny-day into a grey drizzly blur!
I'm sure we'll be back soon though - the place was beautiful as well as peaceful.

As usual, some snaps below. 

Day 3 was a perfect blue skies and sunshine kind of day, so we looked for somewhere outside to take the boys and decided on Carlisle Castle.
The castle is over 900 years old and is steeped in history - being built during the reign of the son of William the Conqueror.  Mary, Queen of Scots was once imprisoned here.  It's fair to say that it has seen a bit of action in it's time!
My two youngest boys had fun running around exploring all the nooks and crannies.  My eldest just stropped around like a typical teenager.
Alfie took part in the 'What it's like to be a Redcoat' display and our little Freddie Bear ran riot - wearing a bandana like some kind of crazy, miniature pirate in a castle!
We had ice creams on the grass to cool down, then visited the little Regimental Museum that's there.

It's a nice place to visit - very child friendly and quite a bit to look at.  For more info on the castle click here.

Here are a few snaps.