The Great Outdoors

The largest contingent of extended family on my side live in 
Scotland, Ayrshire to be exact. My parents are Scottish, and as  children our annual holiday was a week in Scotland with the cousins. For a real treat we had 2 weeks! (same for them)

We still love to get together - they are all great company. For the past 8 years or so this has taken the form of a weekend of fun somewhere in the Lakes. 

 For the last 6 years (give or take) we've stayed at 

Tarn Outdoor Centre

not far from Kirkby Stephen.

The building itself is in the middle of the most dramatic scenery - until now we've always gone for a Christmas meet up so haven't really been able to get outside. This year we plumped for September in an attempt to enjoy a BBQ/campfire. And we were in LUCK.....what were the chances?! (slim)

 The top floor of the barn is one big room - complete with wonderful open plan kitchen, long wooden tables and benches and a seating area with lots of comfy sofas. Perfect for family gatherings.

 The bottom floors have a combination of double rooms and dorm style rooms - with shower blocks for girls and boys, sleeping 24 in total. It's a family run business and the owners are really friendly and accommodating.

We always have a 'theme' for the Saturday night which involves decorating the barn, lots of craft activities and an element of dressing up! In the past we've had a murder mystery (with v graphic clues) a Salsa night and Game Show night. 

This year it was Race Night, more specifically Ladies Day!

Our beautiful cousins

Two crazy Grannies, my mum and her little sister

Me and my little sister (except I'm the little short one!)

Apart from lots of catching up we managed to fit in the following:

Kite flying

Granny, being patient..

Alfie, trying to be patient...

Kenzie and Mabel

cheap kite flying

Reading stories

(my little brother Mark and his boys)

 Lots (and lots) of eating, including bacon butties, 

cooked by a very preggers Helen (5 4 weeks to go!)

and adult ice cream factory (thanks Aunty Nelly!)

 Some football (natch)

 lots of activities (thanks Cleggy!)

 and painting...

Sonny!

and Luca!

 Some not joining in (love my pre-teen!)

                                           

Holding hands with big girls

Mabel and Daisy

BBQing with THE best view

Eating in the sun

 building tree houses

 creating new family portraits

♥ Me and my man ♥

cooking marshmallows on the campfire

recreating ladies day

 looking at the view from the barn window (crochet in hand)

 having a little shop in nearby Kirkby Lonsdale 

..then feeling sick from too much Penrith Fudge!

and just enjoying each others company.

Next year the theme is 'wild west' 

(think line dancing and sing-a-long calamity Jane!)

I for one can't wait!

Apologies for FB pals who already know this....but last week our gorgeous boy Kenzie was discharged from Oncology after 9 years! What more can you say about that?

(apart from Yippeeeeee!)

We are incredibly thankful to the Doctors and Nurses at Manchester Children's Hospital (especially Consultant Bernadette Brennan!) 

and feel both grateful and lucky.

fee x