Sunday 22 May 2022

Camping

 


As I sit here, looking out of the window the sky is grey and the drizzle is persistent. It is a miserable kind of day. Spring seems to be dragging out, and as ever I long for the long hot days of summer. 
This time last week we had just returned from a weekend camping, when thankfully we experienced some much brighter and warmer weather.

For her birthday this year, Lily decided she would very much like to stay in a camping pod. And after a lengthy search online I discovered what appeared to be the perfect site, and not too far away, given that we would need to travel there on the Friday evening once I had finished work. With limited time, it was a bit fraught having to rush around packing up everything we needed, but fortunately I had remembered to write out a comprehensive list of items the day before (who doesn't love a good list?) and we arrived at the site just before the farmer and his wife were ready to sit down for their dinner.


*Our accommodation for the weekend.* 

The site itself was lovely, and I would say even better than I had expected. The pod looked out across fields full of sheep and lambs, with access to the river and a great play area, where Lily spent much of her time with newly made friends. It was so relaxing just to sit and enjoy the views. Rabbits ran in the fields, sparrows flew in and out of the hedgerows, and I even heard my first cuckoo of the year.


On the Saturday morning I awoke nice and early, so I could enjoy my coffee, sat on the bench in front of our pod. I wrapped a blanket around myself, as the air was still cool at that time of the morning but the sky already showed promise of a bright sunny day ahead. We had already planned to walk along the river to Lacy's Caves, then on to the village of Little Salkeld, returning via Long Meg and Her Daughters Stone Circle. About 7miles in all. Then perhaps a swim at the nearby pool in the afternoon.








The caves are made up of five chambers, which were commissioned to be carved by Colonel Lacy, of Salkeld Hall, in the 18th century, allegedly for entertaining guests.


Further along, the path ran alongside the Settle-Carlisle line, where we unintentionally disturbed a deer which had been sleeping in the long grass, close to the track






Long Meg and Her Daughters is a Neolithic stone circle, made up of 69 stones, with a diameter of 350 feet. Long Meg being the tallest at 12 feet high. 
At this point on our walk we had begun to feel rather hot, and so it was a relief to be heading back towards the pod. The rest of our route took us through fields and along wooded tracks, bringing us back alongside the river at the bottom of the site once again. After a delicious lunch of sausages, cooked on our small camping stove, I spent the rest of the afternoon reading my book while Lily played with her friends again. We decided not to go for a swim in the end, maybe another time.



In the evening we were joined by big sister and took a very scenic drive over Hartside, towards the delightful little Market town of Alston, startling another deer on the way, where we enjoyed a fish and chip supper. Eventually returning to the pod to light our campfire, toast some marshmallows and drink hot chocolate, as Lily declared it her, 'Best Birthday ever!' 

J. X
























54 comments:

  1. I would love a birthday like that! Did you take any photos of the inside of the pod? Happy belated Birthday Lily.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would be my preferred way to 'celebrate' as well :) I didn't take any photos inside the pod, as it was completely empty. These type of pods are designed to be in place of a tent, so only contain heating and lighting. X

      Delete
  2. The last picture with the unusual violet sky is breathtaking!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That looks like a fabulous weekend, and belatedly happy birthday to Lily. It's ages since I went to visit Long Meg, thank you for the reminder and lovely photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jayne. We had a lovely time there, and we were so lucky to get some good weather. It is a beautiful area. X

      Delete
  4. Belated happy birthday wishes to Lily, it certainly sounds like the best birthday ever :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Eunice. Lily had a lovely time there. X

      Delete
  5. Happy birthday Lily!
    Years ago, when my boys were little - my youngest - probably about four at the time, hugged one of the stones at Long Meg and said ... 'Mummy this one is singing' !
    Looks like you had a lovely weekend xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kate. That is such a beautiful thing for your son to have said. X

      Delete
  6. It all sounds like an amazing time, Happy Birthday Lily. A fantastic choice and great photos too x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had a lovely weekend, Cathy. Thank you. X

      Delete
  7. Isn't it pleasing when birthdays are such a success I am so glad. She will remember it always.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy birthday, Lily! You made a good choice when it came to celebrating your birthday! Sounds like a lovely weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Bless. It was a lovely way to celebrate. X

      Delete
  9. What an amazing birthday celebration! I loved the photos you shared. Thank you for the information about such a beautiful place. Happy Birthday to your girl!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Billie Jo. It was an area I'd never visited before, so it was even more special to explore it together. X

      Delete
  10. Your weekend looks and sounds idyllic and belated happy birthday wishes to Lily, what a wonderful birthday treat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Eileen. Lily had the best weekend, which is what matters to me. X

      Delete
  11. It sounds like the perfect birthday treat for Lily , glad she had a happy day. B x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She had a great time. Thank you, Barbara. X

      Delete
  12. Belated Happy Birthday to Lily, that looks like the kind of camping I would enjoy, it sounds like a great weekend. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will be sure to pass on your good wishes. Thank you, Linda. X

      Delete
  13. Happy Belated Birthday Lily.the photos are as ever Beautiful.Just what I need at the moment.So glad you enjoyed your tranquil time in the gorgeous pod.xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a wonderful way for Lilly to spend her birthday. The camping pod looks fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The camping pod was great, and the site itself was everything we could have wished for. X

      Delete
  15. Ah, this is all very near our caravan at Melmerby. You may well have driven through on your way up Hartside, well you will have. Glad Lily had a good birthday. I would love to try camping in a pod! Long Meg and Lacy's caves are near Melmerby too and planning a revisit next time we go up. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I though we would be quite close to where you keep your caravan. Having looked on the map, however, we took a different route towards Alston, travelling from Kirkoswald. I'm looking forward to a return visit now. X

      Delete
  16. Happy Birthday Lily :) What a wonderful birthday wish, it looks absolutely idyllic. I can well understand Lily declaring it her best birthday ever. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a great birthday weekend. Although I'm not sure about the best ever, as I'm almost certain she says that every year! X

      Delete
  17. What a wonderful way to spend a birthday. Belated birthday wishes to Lily.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Next time we visit, we will definitely go swimming. X

      Delete
  18. What a fabulous time you had, many thanks for sharing all of your lovely photographs.
    I can see why Lily declared it her best birthday ever :)

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jan. However, I'm sure she says that every year :)

      Delete
  19. It looks and sounds absolutely stunning, such a lovely way to celebrate a birthday. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a lovely way to spend the weekend. Parties can sometimes feel overwhelming. X

      Delete
  20. Happy Birthday, Lily. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will be certain to pass on your good wishes, Joy. X

      Delete
  21. Wonderful pictures. I'm glad you had such a super time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jean. I enjoyed the weekend just as much as Lily. X

      Delete
  22. What a delight.....

    Now, THAT is my kind of camping..... -smile-

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We do have our own tent, but Lily really, really wanted to stop in a pod :) X

      Delete
  23. I have never seen a camping pod like that here...how wonderful! The scenery looks so beautiful, it must have been a great time - memories in the making! Good for you both! Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are different types of pods, some even come with beds and ensuites! The ones on this site are basic models, intended to be used as you would a tent. Xx

      Delete
  24. What a fabulou8s birthday treat for Lily, I've seen those Pods and wondered what they were like to stay in, I'm glad you both had a wonderful time. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. These particular pods are basic, but are a great alternative to staying in a tent. X

      Delete
  25. That sounds like a wonderful birthday, one I'm sure Lily will remember for a long time. Those pods look a great idea for someone who likes the outdoors but doesn't necessarily want to sleep in a tent, a sort of halfway house.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We do enjoy sleeping in our tent but only when we can be guaranteed good weather - we are definitely fair weather campers :) The pod was a great alternative. X

      Delete
  26. How wonderful! It looks such a special place. Love your photos, as always.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Stephenie. I was really lovely there. X

      Delete
  27. Stupid blogger - it’s me Rachel! I am pretty sure my daughter and her friend stayed there. Glorious photos and those caves are on my to visit list now! I love how the olden days folks built follies just for the sake of it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a wonderful site and very popular. The caves are just above the river, and be sure to take a torch with you. X

      Delete