Saturday 14th February 2026
It
was a false start apparently. All day, dad had been busy preparing; whilst
grandma watched us both however, once we were all in the car, Haruki wasn’t looking
too good. Once back inside the house, it was clear that Haruki had a high
temperature. The plan was for us all to drive in grandma’s car to mum’s work.
We would then get in our car, pick up mum, and off we all went to the Lake
District. Now we would spend the night at home, uncertain if Haruki would be
well enough for the holiday at all.
Sunday 15th February 2026
Calpol
did its trick and Haruki seemed a lot happier in the morning. We therefore got ready
as quickly as possible and off we went. The weather was awful for dad to drive
through. We headed north-east towards a place called the Lake District. Yuto
was very excited as this was his first time to this area of the UK.
Dad
couldn’t wait for the motorway to end. Once off the motorway, familiar roads
appeared but this time, they were flanked with snow. We didn’t go straight to
the flat. Instead, we went to a supermarket. Both Haruki and Yuto were not overly
impressed by visiting a supermarket however, at least it was a little different
to the norm. Booths is a supermarket only within this part of the UK. We dodged
the rain and sleet to go inside and went to the café for lunch, before doing
our ‘holiday shop’. Whilst doing this, we had a surprise; grandma was there! We
didn’t know Grandma was joining us but, we were very happy. We all headed to
the flat. The weather significantly improved once outside the shop and that
stayed until we left on Friday.
This
was Yuto’s first time in the flat and he approved. Aunty Nic has made some
changes however, Haruki agreed that you could still see the flat’s character. We
all approved. We watched a lot of the winter Olympics which, became a theme for
the holiday.
Monday
16th February 2026
We
got up late. Both Yuto and Haruki loved their beds and slept very well. Once we
were ready, we drove to Keswick and parked in a long stay car park. We had a
look around the shops, went to a café and did a small walk near Keswick’s old
railway station. It was a good day.
We
headed back to the flat for an ‘English Breakfast’ for dinner before more Olympics
and bed. We did scratch some of our holiday scratch cards and won £20! … I
wonder if we will get bought some new toys with that money.
Tuesday
17th February 2026
The
weather was glorious today however, we couldn’t leave too soon. Today we were
helping Aunty Nic with something called a ‘smart meter’. Some bloke – who couldn’t
find the flat and dad had to flag down – was going to install a smart meter for
us. It took so long that grandma said that she would stay in the flat whilst we
went to Ambleside.
Haruki
remembered Ambleside; especially the park. For Yuto this was all new. We are
not military plane professionals but, we had a discussion and agreed two typhoon
fighter gets ran rings around where we were, making a terrific noise and
scaring half the children in the park. Once we had finished in the park we went
around the town. Dad bought a game from his favourite toy shop and we did
indeed get some toys. We also went to the apple pie for some delicious cakes,
we bought Yuto a dinosaur bag – a bit like Haruki’s, a book and some chocolate
before heading back to the flat and seeing how grandma was.
The
smart meter wasn’t going as easy as we had hoped and the gas board was required.
This would take all day. Grandma did like the cakes though. We also booked a
table at ‘The Badger’ for mum’s Christmas gift around 6pm.
Parking
at The Badger was very difficult as dad had to reverse in the dark. Both Yuto
and Haruki remained quiet. The food was lovely. Dad had a hamburger, grandma a
vegetarian burger and mum a curry. We too had some nice food but, both of us
struggle to eat it all.
Wednesday
18th February 2026
Today
grandma was heading home. This was sad. We therefore went to Lakeland to do a
bit of shopping before having a nice slice of cake and a hot drink. Grandma
then left the Lakes from Lakeland and got home in good time.
The
rest of us went all the way to the bottom of Lake Windermere. We didn’t know
this but, there was an aquarium at the bottom of the lake. Dad paid and we all went
in.
At
first Haruki was more interested in his ipad however, after a fish swam right
at him, he was hooked. Yuto also enjoyed seeing the fish. We actually went
around the aquarium twice as Haruki enjoyed it so much. It wasn’t that big but,
neither was it really small. We all had a great time there.
Once
done both Yuto and Haruki were tired and so they feel asleep whilst dad drove
to Conistion, and then Hawkestead. Dad was looking for a photo he wanted to buy
in Hawkestead however, the shop wasn’t there. As this was out of peak season,
both towns were pretty dead. We went to Hawkestead’s park but it was bitterly
cold. We didn’t stay long and headed back to the flat for a nice warm drink.
Thursday
19th February 2026
This
was our last full day … how quick had that holiday gone. We were desperate to
do a walk. First of all though, we all went back to the Ambleside park were we
had good fun. First dad went off for 30 minutes and then mum. They were both
taking it in turns to get their hair cut.
Once
back at the flat we had lunch before heading off to Grassmere. It was here that
we both fell asleep. As we slept, mum and dad took it in turns to go and look
around the lovely village of Grassmere. We wanted to have a look but were not
asked!
Finally,
we stopped at a place called ‘White Moss Car park’ where we went for a 90-minute
walk through a wood where we followed a stream to a huge lake … you could see
Grassmere on the other side! It was lovely and Yuto walked a lot. It was his
first proper walk.
What
we didn’t realise that, Janet and Rebecca were in the Lakes today. Once back at
the flat, they came to see us and we had fish and chips. Dad wanted his
traditional Chinese however, his traditional takeaway was closed. The fish and
chips were nice and we had a good evening.
Friday
20th February 2026
So
today was ‘going home day’ and weather had changed for the worse. Dad packed
the car and we were ready to leave before midday. Before leaving the Lakes, we
went to Ambleside once more where mum got out the car to head to ‘The Apple Pie’
to buy … err … apple pies. Once done dad got petrol and off, we went home.
We
don’t remember much of the journey as we both slept a lot however, the weather
was awful and dad did a very good job driving safely. There was hail at one
point!
We
made it home just before rush hour. It had been a quick but lovely holiday.
Yuto was very excited to go back now. He enjoyed it a lot.
