We have had a lovely calm start to the year so far with mainly cold, dry and clear days and a few dustings of snow on the tops to highlight the fantastic landscape. Whilst a lot of the country has been suffering from freezing fog in the last week, we’ve had some early mist but the sunshine has quickly taken over. This picture was taken by one of our owners on Monday – love the reflections of the trees and hills in Derwentwater; photographers have been in their element.

The local wildlife have been active recently too with daily visits from red squirrels in our garden, along with woodpeckers who have been enjoying nuts from the bird feeders. While we were walking near Grasmere yesterday we were bewitched for a while by an otter who was out fishing. We watched as he swam up and down the river bank looking for fish and were lucky enough to see him catch and eat a couple – he didn’t seem to mind us being there at all. Our first sighting of a wild otter – magical!

Its not been all play for us or our owners recently though; we often use this time of year to plan any changes and make adjustments in our properties. In Grizedale Close, the twin bunks in the smaller bedroom have been replaced with a new single bed with full size pullout guest bed; we’ve got new furniture on order for the twin room in Lilac Cottage and have organised for the bathroom to be upgraded too – the work will be done in November when bookings are quiet again, but in the meantime it is having a bit of a spruce up! Work is progressing well in Latrigg View too – all new beds, bedding and curtains done, along with new lounge furniture so it will be looking great for visitors from April onwards.

If you would like to spend some time in the Lake District during the quieter winter months when the roads and towns are peaceful, the walking is great and there is less hustle and bustle than the busy summer season, we have the following availability:

• Howrahs Court: Week starting 28th January, 4th February, 4th, 11th ,18th March
• 3 Grizedale Close: Week starting 18th, 25th February, 25th March
• Lilac Cottage: Week starting 28th January, 25th February
• Latrigg View: Available for bookings from April

Short breaks also available through the winter period, contact us for details.