A quiet drive up from Taunton to Whittle-Le-Woods - picked the right day to travel.
Evening meal and an early night - well we need to be up early to see if Santa has been ;)
Monday 25th December 2017
Christmas Day Parkrun at Cuerden Valley before going home to open our presents. We must have been good as Santa came and left us all some lovely gifts ;) Lunch at a local Italian restaurant - never had an Italian Christmas dinner before!
Then it was spending time with family and walking Billy before bed.
Tuesday 26th December 2017
A yukky start to the day - hail first thing. The weather improved as the morning went on and by mid-morning it was good to go for our planned walk up Catbells and High Spy in the Lakes. Brilliant loop in the snow - snow balls, snow angels and one excited snow dog :)
Back through Keswick to pick up some camper van cookable food and down towards Ambleside for an overnight stay so that James and Sarah could try out their Christmas sleeping bags.
Wednesday 28th December 2017
We woke up warm and cozy in our sleeping bags despite the -1 degrees temperature outside. Our trip across to Seathwaite was a bit slidey on icy roads - the steep gradients both up and down didn't help. From the parking at Seathwaite we walked up through the woods in the snow to Hater Fell summit - fab views of the Isle of Man from the top.
James couldn't resist trying out his Christmas Confidence rope on the way to the summit!
The trek back along the river was a tough one due to logging and the van was a welcome site - especially welcome was the cup of tea and tiffin. It was back to Whittle Le Woods for a shower and a good nights sleep.
Thursday 29th December 2017
A day off the hills visiting Harrogate for a session in the Turkish Baths. A stop in Skipton en route and a breakfast in the Winter Gardens set us up for the Turkish Bath visit. The original features of the Turkish Bath was fantastic - could not get used to the coldness of the plunge pool though even after time in the hottest area of the baths.
After the baths we spent some time in Harrogate before visiting Saltaire to see their advent windows - a fascinating place.
Then it was back to Whittle Le Woods for an evening meal and some sleep.
Friday 29th December 2017
Packed up and headed over to North Wales for a late morning walk along the great wall of Wales to Tal Y Fan and Foel Lwyd and wow it was windy.
After returning to the van for a much needed hot drink and cake it was onto the Travel Lodge just outside Bangor for a few nights stay. This was Billy's first hotel stay and was a well behaved guest. Chinese for tea and a very good nights sleep.
Saturday 30th December 2017
After a quick shop in Bangor we headed off to Beddgelert to walk up Moel Hebog, Moel Yr Ogof and Moel Lefn. A great loop in my Christmas walking boots.
After a drink and cake back at the van we went back to the hotel for a tidy before burgers in Bangor.
Sunday 31st 2017
A mid-morning check out and a drive back home. Traffic was good again. Happy New Year :)
