A wet day in Cumbria

Although i think that the Lake District is glorious in the sunshine, it has to be said that there is nothing like a wet and grey day on Ullswater. With the mountains and fields all a luscious green, the lake looking deep and mysterious and the smell of ferns that waft around the footpath, all fresh after a shower. As i walked a friend's dog this afternoon, I sat on the lakeshore and just gazed at the scene around me. I find it epically relaxing just to look around and breath. Especially Ullswater, one of my favourite places in the whole wide world. And one could argue that a wet and grey day on Ullswater, means not too many hordes of tourists swamping the shores and tramping the footpaths to the pubs. It becomes quiet, and I had it all to myself.

Now i won't turn this post into a tirade about tourists in the Lake District and how they affect me, as mine and my partner's jobs both depend on tourism in the Lake District, sometimes though it's just hard to share. Having lived up here for four years now, i know that I am hardly any better than the summer hordes, in the eyes of the locals, but having seen the landscape change through the seasons, you can't help feeling that you own a bit of it. And when you know those roads so well, you just can't help getting angry at the people that insist on driving 20mph on a main road, when you're in a rush to your boss's birthday.

I'm meant to be packing for a climbing holiday for Cornwall, but have become distracted by watching the birds out of my cottage window. They are taking shelter, from the rain, next to our two feeders in a bush. The smell of brownies and cookies is wafting about the cottage today as I have been baking some treats for our holiday. I like to think of myself as a person who enjoys climbing tremendously, normally if there is a bit of cake or something yummy to enjoy at the top. And as we are going to be on holiday, the 'something yummy' is going to be high in sugar chocolate. In two minds about whether to take a bottle of our homebrew elderflower down with us, will we actually drink it? Or will we go to the pub most nights?  Decisions decisions.

Chapter One

My first ever post! I feel quite proud to have started a blog. I had thought about it for quite some time, wanting to share an insight into my life, the people around me and the things i get up to in the Lake District. Since finishing my degree (based in the Lake District), I have begun to appreciate the simple things in life, and in my search for the perfect job, house etc., I try to look past the comings and goings of this modern, high-tech world with extreme consumerism, and strive to lead a wholesome and healthy lifestyle in keeping with the natural environment. As well as being in love with the outdoors, I am a huge advocate of the good old homemade life, especially food.

And with that rather pompous beginning, I shall tell you about the best drink I have ever tasted, and am currently sipping right now: Elderflower Cordial!

I recently made my first ever batch, and can't wait till the season next year, to try again. There's something about elderflower cordial that is quintessentially summery. Whether you prefer it with sparkling or still water, or adding it to a virgin mojito or something a bit more alcoholic; the light and sweet taste gets me every time. Below is a link to the best recipe that we found, we doubled the quantities, which made us about 4/5 wine bottles and a few little bottles worth but best advice i can give you is to collect as many clean glass bottles with lids, as possible.

http://www.britishlarder.co.uk/elderflower-cordial/#axzz1SSYUUate