Lakes, April 2024. Day 1 and 2.

Cat delivered safely, packing and loading done and we were off. It was a day of mixed sun, cloud and showers on our journey through the Dales; fingers were firmly crossed for a dry spell to get set up. As we pulled up at Ashes Lane Reception we were met by one of the new wardens, very pleasant and new for this year. Our caravan was all ready for us on a pitch on The Mound area of the site with a view out over the fields and hills. The hoped for dry spell lasted and we were soon set up and settled in the van with a cup of tea on. Thankfully everything seems to be working as it should; always a concern after a long winter. We enjoyed our first evening meal with the requisite refreshment and then it wasn't long before I had an early night.

We both slept well, although we were awake at one point listening to the rain. Fortunately when morning arrived it dawned dry, if somewhat cloudy. Fingers crossed that it will remain dry to allow us to have the van serviced and then was and clean it and get the awning up. However, we await the arrival of Storm Katherine with her attendent winds.

Already we have seen a red kite drifting over the site and heard both curlew and green woodpecker. Chiffchaffs are singing loudly and there are mistle thrushes around.

While we were waiting for Leisure Medics o arrive to service the van we managed to get it washed. A lot of trees on the site and around the storage have either been seriously pruned or gone so the van was surprisingly clean. The van passed it's service with flying colours so we are good for another year (fingers crossed).

During the afternoon yet another named storm arrived, this time Kathleen. Although she brought no rain, winds were up to 40mph so we were unable to put up the awning.