Hallowe'en Pumpkins at Brockstone Grasmere Holiday Cottage

 When our guests checked out after their week at our cottage, they left these on the table  to greet us.

That's Rydal Water in the background by the way- lovely view for pumpkins.

Grasmere looking very lovely today in its Autumn colours

At last, a dry sunny day. The poor half term visitors have had several days of heavy rain, but today ( Wednesday) has been beautiful.

Here are a couple of photos of Grasmere taken this morning - very still, beautiful autumn colours.

And here is one of Rydal Water. There were photographers with tripods everywhere. Maybe one day I'll get a proper camera, but even with my simple little snapper that Lakes still look good.

All taken on my favourite short walk from White Moss to Grasmere shore, up through Deer Bolt Woods, back down Loughrigg Terrace and home. One hour's glorious walking. You can find more about White Moss Walks here.

A beautiful September evening walk.

The weather this year has been amazing, and September has been warm and dry so far.

Tonight I walked up through White Moss Woods. Since the path was "improved" (not everyone agrees that smoothing it out was an improvement) there is a new view of Rydal Water. There used to be a tree here, and the path curled away from the wall. There's now a lovely view down Rydal Water.

Tonight at about 6pm the sun was just going down behind Loughrigg, and looking East towards Windermere, it looked like there might be some rain about. However, as Peter had gone to Windermere to play tennis, and is still not back, it seems that it didn't actually rain there. I walk on, over Loughrigg Terrace , down to Grasmere Lake shore and back along the River to White Moss. One of the many superb White Moss Walks.

You can see that the bracken is red/brown already, and the leaves are beginning to turn all sorts of oranges and reds. It will be a fabulous display this year. We still have the week from 18 October available at Brockstone , our Grasmere holiday cottage. The rate has been reduced to £650 for this week. It's a great October offer.

We're getting enquiries for Christmas and New Year now. We're offerings 4 nights minimum stay at £560, 5 nights £645, 6 nights £725 or 7 nights £790. We can be flexible about changeover days.

Our Grasmere Cottage is now fully booked until 13 September.

We've found the perfect match for the two weeks we still had available in July. A family of 3 who wanted to book at the last minute for those exact weeks have snapped up our Lakes holiday cottage at a great rate. Smiles all round.

The next week which we have available now is from Saturday 13 September, which will be £750 for the week. We then have the week from 18 October, also £750.

These are the only two weeks we have available between now and November. If you would like a cosy cottage stay during the winter months, the rate is just £490 per week from November to March. (excludes Christmas and New Year)

Here's a snap I took in winter of the view from Brockstone Cottage terrace. If there is any sun going, you'll get it at our cottage overlooking Rydal Water. Here you can see Wetherlam and the Coniston Fells, lightly coated in snow.

Remember the weather in March last year?

I've just been looking through photos from last March. Here's one I took at Brockstone Cottage on 24 March 2013. Those of you familiar with the walk from Grasmere to Rydal will recognise the gate with the unusual fastening. It's just below our Lakes holiday cottage. One day I'm planning to write a blog post with photos about gates and their fastenings- there so many different types - I find it fascinating. Maybe I'm a bit of a sad case.

Rydal Water from our Lakes Holiday Cottage March 2013

Snow, grey skies, grey lake in March last year....quite a contrast to the one I took and posted on our blog yesterday.

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There must be sunshine after rain....

The Rydal Show took place yesterday, guests loved it, and it mostly stayed dry. Overnight however we had torrential rain. Today has dawned bright and sunny- just like in the old Dire Straits song- "Why Worry?"!

August has been very busy in the Lakes - it's really great seeing so many families here. We've welcomed families from Holland, Germany and Belgium in the last couple of weeks. The weaker Pound v the Euro certainly helps.

If you would like to stay at our Lakeland holiday cottage, Brockstone the next available date is 7 September, for 1 week. We are also offering a two night break on Saturday and Sunday, 14 and 15 September.  This is a rare chance for a short stay- just £250 for the two night break.

Next week we have rooms available for B & B at White Moss House until Thursday- check our rates- we've reduced them for last minute bookings.

Today's photo is of one of the tubs on the terrace. I wasn't planning a red, white and blue theme. It was supposed to be pink, white and blue, but Hayes Garden Centre sold me begonias that were wrongly lablled "pink" when in fact they were red and yellow. Ah well- it looks suitably patriotic- good for celebrating the Royal Baby, the Great Summer of Sport, the Better Summer This Year................!

Red, white and blue tub on White Moss House Terrace

Vale of Rydal Sheep Dog Trials and Hound Show- Thursday 15 August 2013

If you're in the Lakes this Thursday, you've got the chance to visit the Rydal Show. Set in the Vale of Rydal, on the Sports Field, this is the 110th Rydal Show. See the sheepdogs rounding up sheep and getting them round a course of gates. It's brilliant.

If you love dogs, and you love traditional Lakeland activities, this is a great day out. You can walk to the show from White Moss House in about 30 minutes, or catch the bus. (You can also drive and park of course) We have room 3 available for one night on the Thursday, and Room 4 is free all week if you would like to stay here.You can find our rates and special offers here.

We have now filled the August week at our Grasmere holiday cottage. The next available week is 7 September. We do have a 2 night break available on Saturday and Sunday, 14 and 15 September, at the rate of £250. This is a rare chance to enjoy this lovely cottage for a two night stay at a very attractive rate. (usually we ask for a 3 night minimum stay)

This picture of a Herdwick Sheep is thank to Moy Williams and Cumbria Tourism. It may not be used without permission.

These local Lakeland sheep will try their best to outwit the sheepdogs at Rydal Show!

 You can find out more about Herdwick Sheep here.

Flaming June nearly here..

Here's hoping!

The tubs on the terrace are planted- we just need some warm, sunny weather. The forecast is looking better actually. Warmish, mostly dry, with quite a lot of sun. At last!.

We've got some great last minute offers for the first week in June. Anytime from Saturday 1 June ,     ( we're fully booked Friday 31 May). Three nights are a snip. Check it out on our special offers page, then check the forecast and make that booking.

Here's a recent photo

Tulips in our White Moss Garden.

By next week they'll have faded, but the bluebeels in the woods will still look spectacular. This must be the best year ever for Lake District bluebells. Rydal woods, White Moss woods and the woods around Grasmere are all beautiful. Come and see!

How to get the very best rates at White Moss House

Over on our White Moss House website special offers page I've explained how to get the very best rates at White Moss House this autumn, but I'm sharing them with you here are well. How can you be sure you're getting the best rate for your Lake District bed and breakfast booking?

Here goes;
Do you realise that you are often paying more when you make a direct online booking? This is because the online systems charge a commission, so the hotels and B & Bs put their rates up to cover this- so you might pay more than if you book directly .

However, booking directly can be confusing- what rates will they charge, are there rooms available etc?

Here's what I'm offering from now until we close for our winter break on 4 November.

1. Decide when you want to come to stay at our Lake District bed and breakfast

2.Go to the Contact Us page on the White Moss House Website, then click on the "Book Online" symbol and check to see what we have available, and the bed and breakfast rates we are offering. (These rates are per person, per night, so you need to double it to get the room rate)

3. Don't book online!

4. Email me, sue@whitemoss.com , telling me when you want to come, the price you've found, and  the room you want to book if you know which one you prefer. The rate might already have been reduced from our full usual rate.

5. I'll confirm that rate, and further reduce the total for a two night stay for two guests by an extra £10, or by £15 if you're staying 3 nights.

6. I'll need your card details to take a £50 deposit.

That's it. The best rates guaranteed.

Here's a picture of the heron I saw today flying over our garden. You might see him, or deer, or red squirrels......

The White Moss Heron on the River Rothay, Rydal, Grasmere

 

Looking forward to September in the Lake District

We're hoping for a beautiful autumn in the Lake District this year. The trees are so lush after all the rain this summer that we think the leaves are going to look great.

As a very early autumn treat, we're offering very special rates for a three night stay at the beginning of September. The children will be back at school and it's usually (!) pretty good weather.

This offer runs from Sunday 2 September to Thursday 6 September inclusive.

Rooms 1, 3 and 5, usually £354 for three nights, bed and breakfast , will be just £275

Rooms 2 and 4, usually £294 for three nights, bed and breakfast, will be just £225.

This is for two guests, including afternnon tea and home made cakes on arrival, our award winning breakfasts, and all the other White Moss extras (see our website). If it's cool, the log fire will be burning. You're welcome to paly our baby grand piano too......

This offer is subject to availabilty, and only for bookings made directly with us by phone or email.

If you can only manage 2 nights during these dates, please email me for our best offer.

This beautiful picture of Rydal Water is by David Willis for Cumbria Tourism . All rights are reserved and it must not be used without permission.

Contact us; sue@whitemoss.com    015394 35295.

Sunny again - come for the weekend!

We still have rooms for today and tomorrow at special rates- a saving of £40.See our website for details..

We've just let Brockstone Cottage for the week from tomorrow, at great rates for a last minute break. The guests will love it there, especially if the weather stays like this. To find more about our Grasmere holiday cottage and to see our special offers tale a look at our holiday cottage page here.

Yesterday we walked round Rydal Water, admired Rydal Hall gardens yet again, and had a great home made carrot and lentil soup for lunch as at the tearooms. £3.90- a great lunch out! This walk is on our doorstep, and we sometimes take it for granted, but it's just beautiful. Here's my description with pictures and directions for the walk round Rydal Water from White Moss

Here's a picture of Rydal Hall tea room,( thanks to Cumbria Tourism, not for reuse)

Our lovely cherry tree- gone with the wind

When the doorbell rang at 9am I thought it was the postman with a late Christmas delivery, but it was a Highway Officer telling me that one of our trees was down across the A591.
We were shocked, as we'd just had the tree that we thought was dangerous cut down by the tree surgeon two weeks ago. That was a weeping willow that had been hollowed out by the continuous assault of the Greater Spotted Woodpeckers.Sadly, it's neighbour, a lovely big flowering cherry, possibly missing the protection of the old willow, has keeled over and was in urgent need of removal from the main road.

Luckily, tree surgeon Ben, of the wonderfully named "Absolute Treedom" in Rydal was available to chain saw and clear the mess. Thanks to the very helpful "Highwayman" and the policewoman who helped too- sorry you had to go before your cuppa was ready.

Here's the sorry sight of our beautiful cherry's last moments.

This afternoon the rain and wind eased, and we had a great fresh walk round Rydal Water and Grasmere with my brother who should have been going home to Scotland. All trains north of Carlisle were cancelled, so we've had an extra day together. It's an ill wind....