Sunday: We spent the day in Southport. It was lovely and sunny. We start off in the town centre, then walk down the pier. The tide was very far out in the distance. There were clear views to Blackpool tower, the Pleasure Beach Roller Coaster and beyond to the Lake District. Then we walk up Lord Street, finally stopping at Rich's coffee bar for a cappucino and cheesecake (mmmmmm!). Then to the hotel in St Helens.

Monday: Today we catch the ferry from Liverpool to Douglas. We have a long wait before boarding and the journey takes ages because of an engine not working. Once there we explore Douglas, go for a swim & then have a lovely meal in the hotel restaurant. In the evening we walk to Summerhill Glen to enjoy the lights along a stream in a magical woodland glade.

Tuesday: We catch the electric tram to Laxey. Immediately we catch the train up Snaefell and are rewarded by fantastic views of the island. We can see as far as Ireland and Scotland. Then back to Laxey where we visit the woollen mill, view the water wheels, walk to the beach before catching the tram to Ramsey. In the hot sunny weather, Ramsey was a lot nicer than I remembered it. We had a coffee cake and cappucino in a coffee shop. In the evening we visit Steve & Karen. There we have a lovely time catching up on old times over dinner. The boys who were very young at our last visit are now all teenagers.

Wednesday: Today we drive to Castletown. We make a very interesting tour of Castle Rushen. Several Craine's were imprisoned there in the early 19th Century. Probably for drunk and disorderly according to the guide. Great views of the Island from the flag tower. Then we find out more about the Kings and Lords of Mann. Then South to the Sound looking across to the Calf of Man. There we see a few seals bobbing up in the water. Then to the restaurant overlooking the sound and we share a hot beef sandwich with chips, followed by cappucino and cake. By now the rain is falling so we explore Port St. Mary and Port Erin in our raincoats. Both towns are very pretty but there were signs that the tourist trade is struggling. In Port St. Mary we have a pleasant walk along the coastal path.

Thursday: First stop the Tynwald Craft Centre. Very nice, but nothing I need to buy. Then on to Peel with steep winding streets, a lovely harbour overlooked by the castle, and the best beach we have seen so far. The weather was back to lovely and sunny. We heard that a basking shark was sighted in the bay, shortly after we left. We spend the afternoon in Douglas and at night we revisit Summerhill Glen. There we bump into Pete (a friend from work) and his family, enjoying the atmosphere of the Glen.

Friday: An early start to catch the Ben-My-Chree ferry to Heysham. From there a short drive to Morecambe where we spend several hours. We spend 40 minutes in an incredibly slow moving queue in a coffee shop. In the end it was worth it. Two tasty cappucinos and one big cream cake for £2.50 and the staff and customers in the place were real characters. Then we drive to the Coniston Lodge Hotel in Coniston. It was lovely, and Siran just kept repeating over and over "it's lovely".

Saturday: After an awesome breakfast (fresh fruit, warm crusty breadrolls, toast, homemade marmalade and full English) we have a walk round Coniston village and walk down to the lake. Then we drive to Ulverston which was really lively with lots of hustle and bustle. Then onto Lakeside by Windermere where we have our coffee with some coffee cake. Then round to Bowness. The rain was coming down and slowed our progress a little. We spent an hour in Windermere and then drove to Hawkshead before returning to our hotel.

Sunday: Returning home today. The weather was a bit miserable as we set off but was blazing sunshine as we arrived in Kendal. After a pleasant couple of hours we move on to Kirby Lonsdale. A lovely riverside walk into the charming town centre and market square. Next stop Settle. An expensive cappucino and cakes in a street cafe (very nice though). After a wander round we then walk to a craft centre at the edge of town. Interesting to look round but nothing for me to buy. Then back to home by late afternoon.