A family camping holiday in the Lake District is the stuff that perfect memories are made of
It's the posh travelling life" for us, heading off to the Lake District for a spot of high living at a Featherdown farm, called Howbeck Lodge.
My last experience of life under canvas was as a girl guide. I wish I could say I had fond memories. All I recall is being cold and damp.
As time has moved on, I thought we'd give "glamping" or "glamorous camping" a go, so along with my partner Graham, and our girls Eve (eight) and Hope (five) we are off to experience the great outdoors.
This holiday, we are joined by another Eve (nine), our eldest daughter's ultimate best friend ever.
Obviously looking after someone else's child, means extra pressure: "What if… we have a rubbish time?"
However, on arrival at the farm, just outside Hesketh Newmarket, I'm relieved. The tents look identical to the rustic idyll on the website.
Located in a quiet corner, each of the eight tents nestles in the grass and flower meadow.
This quaint rural accommodation comes complete with a pen full of very spoilt rabbits, well used to youngsters; hens, which you are welcome to collect eggs from, and there is even room for some greedy goats, a lamb and a horse at the top of the field.
As for the palatial accommodation, each tent can sleep up to six; there is a main double bedroom, another separate room with bunk beds and in a corner of the vast living room is a box bed or cupboard as the girls call it, which Hope bags.
The living space comes kitted out with a dining table with chic mismatched chairs and a cooler box in the corner.
There is no electricity, so lighting is provided by candlelight, although a raised wooden floor puts an end to any fears about damp groundsheets.
A dinky wood-burning stove provides heat and a means of cooking. Coldwater, for the Belfast sink, is supplied directly via the mains supply, however, the best bit as far as I'm concerned, is a flushing loo inside.
There are ample showers and further toilets in the shower block nearby. The girls instantly love everything about the place, from the wheelbarrows to transport your luggage from the car park to the games library and the babbling brook which runs alongside the site.
On-site, there is a clearing in amongst mature oak trees, where the girls find a swing and log seats and make friends with some of the other campers.
As we are only here for a short period of time, we head to Penrith and the Rheged Discovery Centre. Named after the ancient Rheged kingdom, which covered a large part of Cumbria during the Early Middle Ages.
We have been fortunate with the weather, however, this place is a rainy day haven. It boasts a cinema, and interactive information points allowing you to search out the perfect attractions to visit during your stay.
It is also a great place for a spot of retail therapy. We take the opportunity to stock up on local produce. There is also a toy shop, clothes shop and even a selection of art galleries.
Another draw for us, is the outdoor play area, which the girls delight in tearing around, letting off some "steam" before trying out a spot of pottery painting in the art studio on the top floor.
The following day, meandering alongside the picturesque Ullswater, we try and count the yachts on the lake.
Swallows and Amazons instantly come to mind; sadly we don't have time to investigate, we have a family climbing lesson booked in Ambleside.
The older girls have been climbing a couple of times before, but Hope, Graham and I are complete and terrified novices, so although there we are surrounded by some of the country's best climbing we have opted for an indoor introduction.
At Adventure Peaks Andy, our instructor, carefully furnishes us with the correct shoes and equipment before teaching us all, some basic moves on the low-level bouldering wall. Next we are taken through to the main climbing wall, where we are taught how to belay safely, for each other, taking turns to head skywards.
Afterwards, with smiles and wobbly legs all-round, we head up to the top-floor café, rewarding ourselves with stunning mountain views and a post-climb chocolate muffin.
THE FACTS For further information on Featherdown farms across the country. Tel: 01420 80804, www.rheged.com; for information on climbing visit Ambleside Adventure
This article first appeared in Scotsman Magazine 27/08/2011
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