A series of extraordinary events

I can't talk about free days out in Cumbria without mentioning Lakes Alive. Lakes Alive was set up last year to offer a series of arts and performance events in different towns across Cumbria. We've already seen human towers in Penrith, the lighting of Hadrians wall, cardboard box building in Carlisle, and giant fish and flying angels in Whitehaven.

But don't worry you haven't missed out on all the fun, there is still a lot more weird and wonderful eye-candy to come. http://www.lakesalive.org/events/ has full details of the fabulous programme for the rest of the year. Look forward to the sinking of the titanic in Carlisle, bombs in Maryport, puppets in Penrith and giant pigs in Grizedale. We for four can't wait!

photos from: lakesalive.org

The seaside town they forgot to close down?

Photo credits top row l to r: Midland Hotel http://www.mickrawcliffephotography.com/, Eric Morecambe http://media.lancashiretourism.com/, Kite Festival http://www.visitlancashire.com/

I used to be convinced that Morrissey was talking about Morecambe in Every day is like Sunday. However, a friend told us that the promenade at Morecambe was an excellent spot for learning to ride bikes, so one sunny Sunday we duly drove down with a boot full of bicycles. And the boot is where they remained.

Wow Morecambe certainly has changed! We spent an exciting morning watching kites fly above the beach in the Catch the Wind Festival http://www.moremusic.org.uk/ and then chilled out with a picnic in the gloriously named Happy Mount Park http://www.happymountpark.co.uk/ HPC is an old fashioned park with something for everyone, from Sunday afternoon brassbands, to swingboats and a train for the little ones, and a brand new adventure playground for older kids. On a hot sunny day the whole family can have fun running in and out of the fountains in the aqua park. All in all it was a grand day out for nout!