Autumn in Silverdale 2016

In my last few posts I have chronicled our happy trip to Cornwall with Maureen and Jerry. Well, I haven't done with their visit home yet as I still have our five day break in Silverdale, Cumbria to get down on this blog for posterity.  So without further ado, here goes.

Returning from Cornwall we all had a two day breather at home before reloading the car, collecting Maureen, Jerry and Jean and heading north.  Our base in Silverdale was Holgates Caravan Park.  The idea to stay in a caravan was mine.  Of course everybody agreed to it but ultimately if it turned out to be a bad idea I would shoulder the blame!  I knew the site and the area well.  The site has high standards in everything and Silverdale is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  However, I admit to a couple of sleepless nights after I had booked the caravan.  Would it be big enough for six adults?  Would it be comfortable? Mainly would it be warm enough for visitors from the southern USA who had left behind temperatures in the 80s and 90s?  And my sister, Jean, who isn't in the best of health at the moment, would it be warm enough for her?

Thankfully all my worries faded away.. 

 .. when I stepped foot inside the van to find it was big, spotlessly clean, had a spacious living area, a good sized shower room and a further separate toilet. Moreover the heating was on and the whole van was toasty warm and cosy.  Phew!

Naturally, after unpacking the first thing to do was relax with a nice cup of tea.  The weather was pleasant enough to sit outside and enjoy it.  This holiday was to be all about taking it easy, strolling here and there, enjoying the scenery and filling our lungs with fresh autumn air.  Mostly it was simply about enjoying each other's company.

Tuesday morning we were joined by our sweet cousin, Sylvia, who had driven up from the Peak District to spend the next couple of nights with us.  We had arranged to meet her in lovely, sunny Arnside.

We were so lucky with the  weather.  October 2016 turned out to be one of the driest on record for the last 65 years.

After strolling around Arnside it was time for morning coffee at one of my favourite places in this neck of the woods, The Wolf House Gallery.

Fortified by coffee and cakes we were ready for more wandering.  This is Gibraltar Farm campsite.  For peace and tranquillity I think this site would be hard to beat.

Very photogenic windswept trees in the bottom field.

The men take in the view.

Gibraltar Farm is a working farm and as we passed the open cow barn it was a treat to see all the new calves.  I think they are beautiful creatures.  Those big doleful eyes.  What's not to love?

Four happy wanderers, their faces dappled by the sunshine coming through the trees.

We wandered off the beaten track and just went where the paths led us.

Making our way back up the hill through the bracken back towards Gibraltar Farm and ultimately our base at Holgates which was only a ten minute or so drive away.

Like I said this holiday was all about taking it easy and I think at the end of every day we could sit back and safely say - mission accomplished.

Until next time,