Grasmere with Bettie

This time last week the Mister and I were strolling hand in hand through the charming little village of Grasmere, home of the Wordsworth graves and the 'Dafffodil Garden' which was strangely devoid of daffodils.  I captured some shots through my favourite Hipstalense 'Bettie XL'.  

Could I look anymore awkward here?

Flying Fox Dress - Asos

Leggings - Supermarket (I think)

Sandals - Dorothy Perkins

Jacket - Ebay

Tote - Gift

Its hard to make Grasmere appear any prettier than it actually is but I think the faded sun drenched filter of Bettie always adds a nice touch.   I actually had the wrong film loaded.  I usually go for Ina's 1935 but I had it on Ina's 1969 by accident, which is why some of the pics have the border.  I tried cropping the photos to get rid of it but I couldn't be arsed going through all of them.   I blogged about Grasmere last here.   It was about 18 months ago and life was pretty scary as for the first time I was having to face the mortality of a close family member.  Having thankfully come through that, I now return as the mother of a new life and the whole new set of complications that brings.  Life never seems to get any less complicated.  But, The Lake District is always such a relaxing place to spend time with your thoughts.

xxx

Number 9 Dream

So the mister and I recently marked our ninth wedding anniversary.  I know I know, I look too young right?! So it was off to the Lake District, one of my happy places, for a child free night in a hotel and some beauty chasing.  Here are a few quick snaps

 We visited Hawkshead for a spot of lunch and a walk about.  I love Hawkshead.  It's like a little Tudor rabbit warren.  I've blogged about it before here.  

There was a cafe with the biggest cakes I have ever seen

And the usual touristy Beatrix Potter gubbins

Of course I had ice cream.  I always have ice cream.  

Dress: Asos

Leggings: goodness knows

Shoes: Office

Jacket: Ebay

Scarf: charity shop

Bag:  gift from Ilaria

I know nine is one of those awkward inbetween numbers that doesn't constitute a particular milestone but, I'm firmly of the belief that a happy marriage is a huge achievement in this day and age and something to be celebrated.  I also quite like presents.  It didn't take me long to start missing the kids though.  By the second day I was starting to go cold turkey from that velvet soft skin and baby smell.

Such is life

x

Headspace

Does anyone else ever experience a love/hate relationship with their blog?  My main problem is over thinking.  Do people actually want to read my nonsense?  Should I post less?  How do I keep things superficial and light when crazy stuff is going down?  Should I do serious more?  Should I do outfits more?  What do people respond best to?  Should I do more of that?  What direction do I want this blog to take?  Does anyone other than me actually care?  Flamin nora, I wear myself out!

Ah well.  That's why it's good to escape now and then I suppose.

 These pictures were taken on day 2 of our time out weekend at the Lake District, in a village called Hawkshead.  I can't tell you how much I love this place

We had hot chocolate and home made cake in the quaintest little oak beamed tea shop, and wandered around the warren of alleys and medieval squares in the 17th century village

 

Then we gambolled about in the grounds of the church on the hill and took photos.  The views were fantastic.

Yup, more gravestones

I love how this pic turned out.  It reminded me straightaway of Sherlock Holmes' bad trip in 'The Devils Foot'

I was fascinated with this series growing up.  No wonder I turned out kinda warped! ;)

We met this little chap in someone's back yard on the way back to the car

All in all, the perfect place to not overthink!

xxx

For a fire will consume your hair... and your eyes will turn to glass

Do you agree that sometimes life is just too real?

Reality is both my best friend and worst enemy

Sometimes it's nice to escape to a place where the everyday is intensely beautiful

The Wordsworth family plot

We spent yesterday in Grasmere wandering lonely as clouds and spent some time telling Miss 5 all about it's most famous son.

It's kind of a family tradition

Pics are somewhat blurry due to incessant drizzle but not even that was enough to diminish my enjoyment of these surroundings

Of course, time spent wandering around graveyards is time well spent.  Everyone knows that.

I know there is a lot of Lake District love out there in blogland, and I don't have to tell anyone that's ever been there how beautiful it is, right?


A few weeks ago I was so desperate to get out of routine and see the autumn in all it's glory, before there was nothing left but bare branches.  So my man, practically perfect as he is (I said, practically!), booked for the 3 of us to spend the weekend in a little country house hotel in Kendal.

 This is me in the bar enjoying a malibu & pineapple with my extra chin.

Not the comfy chair!

The end of a charming day spent with my gorgeous family, chasing beauty and of course, scouring the charity shops.  I found some great stuff.

I'll show you soon

In the meantime, here is a cover version I like very much 

Enjoy your Sunday.

Go and give your loved ones a big kiss.  Go on, do it now!

Lucy xxx