Reasons to be cheerful, even though it's January.

Walking round Rydal Water today I met a man who said "aren't we lucky- it's dry and there's a hint of sun". After so much bad weather, that was indeed a reason to be cheerful. Having such great walks on the doorstep is another, though as this man was from Buckinghamshire he wasn't a lucky local like me.

Here's a photo from the path just by Rydal Caves, taken this afternoon.

Rydal Water looking over to White Moss House and Brockstone, our Lake District Holiday cottage

Here's a description of the walk round Rydal Water if you would like to get more idea of the wonderful walks from White Moss and from our holiday cottage .We have guests there who have booked to rent the cottage for the whole of January. We were concerned that the wet weather might be daunting, but as they are from Chicago where it's been -20 C, they are very happy with the mild weather we're getting here.

The cottage is booked until 27 February, but if you want to book if for a week between then and the end of March, and can pay in full before the end of January, the rate will be only £490 per week ( usually £550). This includes all laundry, heating etc.

One more reason to bee cheerful- a lovely little red squirrel keeps popping up in our garden. I thought they would be hibernating at this time of year, but this one is bright and breezy. I never have the camera to to hand at the right time, but I WILL get a photo soon.

BTW, if you're in Grasmere tomorrow, Thursday 9 January, why not come to the Grasmere WI Open meeting at 2.30 pm in the Tithe Barn. Only £3 for a fascinating talk, tea, cakes and raffle. More details about Grasmere W I here.

Wonderful baking aromas coming from the kitchen.

I've just taken my Lakeland Teabread and my Fruit Flapjack out of the oven, and the kitchen smells wonderful.

White Moss Lakeland Tea bread- welcome to our guests on arrival

I've make a double batch, as I'm making the cakes for Grasmere WI meeting tomorrow, and also for our bed and breakfast guests, who will be arriving from Friday onwards as we open up for a new season. We like to give our guests a welcoming pot of tea with home made cakes in front of the log fire in the Wordsworth Lounge- with our compliments. It's a great start to a lovely Lake District break.

We are offering special rates for the next two weeks, which you can see by clicking this link to our special offers page.

We also have our cottage with amazing views available for self catering from 15 to 29 March  ( leaving Saturday 30th) at very special reduced rates, whether for a week or a short break. Click here to see the cottage and find out more about the special offers

Back to the topic of Grasmere WI. We meet on the second Thursday of the month, and visitors to the Lakes who are WI members are very welcome to come to our meetings. I write and maintain the Grasmere WI website, which you can find by clicking here to take you to Grasmere WI website. Tomorrow we are having a chocolate making demo at the new chocolate shop in Grasmere, Cocoa Hearts. Should be good! I might be bringing some cakes back home if we get to taste some of the products, as we might feel that our waistlines can't take too much more.......