Lake District!

A week of firsts.

Sunday saw Asher's first Wainwright (Loughrigg). Monday his first boat trip, on the launch from Ambleside to Bowness. Today was my and Noah's first night out since Asher was born. We went to Zeffirelli's to see the Alan Partridge film (very funny - and the cinema was most charming).

We have also paddled in Rydal Water (declared my favourite lake as of today), enjoyed games and hilarity at the cottage and visited Daisy's cafe for lovely cakes. The plan for tomorrow is to take the bairn up the Old Man of Coniston.

In short we're having a lovely holiday (though honestly not without patches of extreme grumpiness on my part as Asher is teething and has a cold, resulting in a significant net loss when it comes to parental sleep). But it's beautiful, the weather is lovely and we're having a great time. More details (well, photos) on our return!

Asher's first castle?

Yesterday me and Ash had a day out with my dad. We went to Glastonbury and climbed up the Tor (it was hot!) and found a cafe for lunch. Asher generally enjoyed it I think, although for some reason he was NOT keen to be wrapped on my back and screamed every time I tried it. Fine when I carried him on my front though. Weird.

Afterwards we drove to nearby Nunney, where there is a small moated castle. Asher's first castle, I think. He was interested primarily in the other child visitors (he loves watching other children), but was also quite delighted when I stood near the wall and released his arms so he could touch the stones. We did this several times, eliciting a huge grin on each occasion.

Then it was time to come back for dinner. Asher enjoyed his chilli and nectarine so much that we had to rush him over to baby bathing. We were a bit late but the kind helpers allowed us to give him a bath anyway. Unfortunately, in the rush to get there, I kind of forgot to bring him a clean nappy or any clean clothes. Fortunately he rather enjoyed being carried back across the site just wrapped in a towel!

Asher's list of things to do in a tent

1. Crawl past the big pile of toys on the floor. Who wants to play with toys?!

2. Head for the door. There's a lovely little puddle that has dripped onto the floor.

3. Lick the puddle up.

4. Object to Mummy's silly suggestion about playing with toys instead of licking the puddle.

5. Crawl right through the door. There's grass outside! Grass! EAT IT!!!

6. Wonder why Mummy keeps moving you away from that delicious grass. Find some slightly drier grass on floor of tent. Eat that instead.

7. Give passers by an angelic smile.

Things get in-tents...

This is what Asher looks like when he's "going to sleep" in the tent. Squeals of delight ensue. We're having to reinforce his pop up travel cot to stop him rolling it right over. He's wriggling round and round, giving us such huge grins.

I don't know how any of us will get any sleep tonight.

But I think Asher likes camping!

Ready to go!

Asher in the car, all packed and ready to set off for Soul Survivor!

How to earn Uncle Points

In fact there are lots of ways to earn uncle points, including giving the baby awesome Christmas presents, whooshing the baby and singing silly songs to make the baby laugh.* But one good way is to carry Asher in the sling whilst I make omelettes for tea and take him into the garden on a cat hunt. Thanks, Uncle Thom!

*Another way, which I am particularly keen on, is getting takeaway for Mummy and Daddy... ;)

Daddy's home!!