Festive cheer

December 1, 2008

We’ve just got back from a weekend in the Lakes. I’m deep in the final throes of a novel but I deliberately didn’t take the laptop so I could spend quality time with Mr B and think about the climax of the book.

On Saturday, we went to Ulverston Dickensian Festival. Thousands of people flock to this Victorian town for the event and many of the locals dress up in elaborate period costume. I can be a bit of a humbug about Christmas and I hate the fact that it all starts in August but the event made me feel very festive at last. There was thick fog all day which added to the atmosphere but on Sunday, the sun came out and wow – this is the Fairfield Horseshoe, the ring of fells (hills) above Ambleside.

I also did some shopping. It was so lovely to get some locally made presents – there’s a gorgeous shop called Bath House in Ambleside that stocks scrummy hand made bath goodies that are as nice as the finest London designer products. I also visited Bleach House Gallery in Ulverston and snapped up some gifts for friends and my long-suffering agent. Finally, I headed home with a Cowmire Hall Christmas Pudding (made with Damson gin) and two bottles of Coniston Bluebird (brewed at the Black Bull.) It was all research too, as delicious foods from Cumbria feature lavishly in the new wip.

Comments

1. On December 1st, 2008 at 9:35 am
   Debs Carr Says:
   

   What a gorgeous weekend you’ve had. I love that picture too, but then it’s a beautiful area.

   I’m loving JSY so much, and only wish I could get more time to read.x

2. On December 1st, 2008 at 11:50 am
   Nell Dixon Says:
   

   Sounds lovely! But that snow does look chilly.

3. On December 1st, 2008 at 12:44 pm
   ellenrhian Says:
   

   Cor.Damson gin sounds good.Glad you had such a good w/e.
   Cheers
   Elly

4. On December 1st, 2008 at 3:21 pm
   Tam Says:
   

   Oooooh! I used to live in Barrow in Furness, which is the next town along from ULverston. Glad you had a good time 🙂

5. On December 2nd, 2008 at 4:42 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Debs, Nell, Elly – i could have stayed there until Christmas.:)

   Tam – i think we were only four miles from Barrow – you must know Ulverston well.

6. On December 3rd, 2008 at 4:45 pm
   Moira Says:
   

   If you’d stayed any longer, you MIGHT have been here until Christmas. We’re frozen solid up here … the ice hasn’t lifted all day and there’s snow forecast …

7. On December 4th, 2008 at 5:15 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Hope you’re not snowed in!

8. On December 4th, 2008 at 8:51 am
   liz Says:
   

   That photo is stunning!!! We’re wet here at the mo believe it or not!

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