Sam and Imogen arrived in Temple Sowerby in mid-July. Imogen stayed for a few days then left to visit friends back in East Yorkshire while Sam stayed for longer. It was the first time that they had visited us in our new home.

We showed them round the house, garage (and wasp nest) and garden, which took a few minutes. The village and a couple of local walks followed. One of the first priorities was to visit Tom and Tara in nearby Bolton (the Cumbria version, not Lancashire Bolton!). Splashing in the pool, climbing trees, inspecting the animals and visiting the stream and woodland was followed by a good barbeque.

A trip to Ullswater ensued. Setting off early was essential as parking in the Lake District at this time of year is difficult. We eventually found a car park which was full but noticed that a car was about to leave. As we waited patiently for the driver to vacate the space a newcomer arrived! Annabel positioned the car perfectly and succeeded in manoevering into the empty space, giving the presumptious newcomer no quarter! Life can be quite competitive here and I’m very proud of my wife’s determination.

The weather was perfect, not too hot with a warm breeze. For the rest of the day there was plenty of sailboarding, paddling and swimming. We’d brought our lunch so we didn’t need to search for food (or lose our parking space). I managed to read a lot, watch the action on the lake and stay in the shade. Paddleboarding was completely and utterly beyond us both.

Imogen left after a few days to visit friends back in Yorkshire.

Sam stayed for longer and we showed him round the area.

I think the frenzied pace of life round here took him by surprise!

We really enjoyed seeing Sam’s family again and are now looking forward to our next reuinion.