...And this is where we had second breakfast ....

In the great tradition of Pooh bear who didn't mind what time of day it was 'elevenses', nor did we.

Let me start at the beginning... once upon a time ...

It all started at 6.30am on a Sunday morning. (yes I did say 6.30am AND Sunday AND morning in once sentence) we all got up to get Youngest to a pre-arranged meet-up with friends who were spending the day at an adventure/paint-ball/woodland/teenager type get together. 

I'd decided that having got up that early, 

we might as well keep going and spend the day in the South Lakes. 

(Although when the alarm went off - I did question my sanity). 

Bleary eyed we ate our (first) breakfast before jumping into the car for our respective adventures.

However, once we'd reach Arnside and despite the mists and cool air, 

I knew we were in for a lovely day. 

We parked alongside Jack Scout Hill, took in the view, tied on our boots and set off. 

I love the majestic silent strength of the yew trees that cover the flanks of the hill.

There were many, many old stumps alongside the pathways, 

ancient reminders of trees from years gone by.

Along the way we discovered a huge den which Eldest was drawn to.

While I inspected the adjacent wood stack,  the differing bark, 

the scent of the sap, the colours of the raw wood.

We dipped off the hill down to the estuary edge, 

took in the scent of the salty air and the sound of gently lapping water.

We found ourselves a bench on the promenade, sat down and watched the sun appear .... and this is where we had second breakfast .... hot cross buns and coffee. Bliss. As we sat and munched, a number of elderly promenaders bumbled past and greeted us, wished us a happy day, asked what we were doing, smiled or waved and pottered on - it was so sweet and so gentle.

Eldest, wiping the crumbs from his face, 

turned and asked 'should we have our lunch now?' 

So we did.

This is for  Tess of 'Driftwood'.

Finally, after eating our lunch rolls and slurping the final bit of our coffee, 

we left the village and turned back up on to the hill, 

following a path up a gorse filled rough slope.

We stopped at a small copse of Scots Pines and gratefully sat in their shade.

We were quite surprised at the warmth of the sun and decided to watch the view appear 

as the clouds cleared,

revealing far distant hills covered in snow.

We took photos and chatted 

when Eldest said 'Should we finish off our lunch?'

So we did....! 

We joked about our double breakfast and double lunch we'd had, 

as we cleared up and set off for the summit of our little hill. 

We had chosen to leave reaching the top to last, allowing the day to clear, 

and as we stood and admired it all - we had to agree, it had been the right thing to do.

Below us was a farm which I took first with a normal setting with my camera....

then with a setting called 'toy town'... amazing.

Behind the farm is a 'Bastle' which is a fortified farm house, 

we decided that once we'd got off the hill, 

we'd drop off our haversacks and take just the cameras for a closer look.

 On the track to the farm, we turned and looked at the hill we'd explored. 

Just look at all the beautiful blue sky!

 Photos taken (many) we returned to the car, happy, sated, ready to return.

One last look of the estuary and the sky.

It was a really good way to spend a Sunday

making me ready for

Monday :)

Hope you had a good weekend,

filled with sunshine

and love

and 

beautiful blue skies

xxx