The Duck and The Otter

I purposely left out the word 'soup' from the title to avoid giving the real subject of the first part away. Yes, I'm afraid we went to Ye Horns Inn last weekend :-) Linda treated us to a 'sleepover' last Saturday as we didn't have the girls on the Sunday, and the weather has turned rather cold, windy and miserable and she thought we needed warming up. So we pootled off, booked in, and before we could say "Soup and Duck please" Linda was perched in her favourite chair with a warming glass of something red.


Of course we had to do the full 5 course 'thing' with hot buttered potted shrimp to start (delicious!), and then Mrs. Woods' famous beef and vegetable soup, the curer of all ails...


Then came a truly shock decision from me! I've been to Ye Horns once or twice now since I met Linda and yet I have NEVER had the roasted duck! I know... but it's true. I always somehow get distracted by the steak and kidney pie or the lamb, or the lamb and sometimes... even.. the lamb! I was very brave on this occasion however, and after much time deliberating and deciding and then changing my mind and then deliberating and eventually deciding, we had to call in a counsellor, a whole team of therapists and even a hypnotist, but I somehow managed NOT to order the lamb. There... I've said it! So at long last I tasted the infamous roasted Goosnargh duck for the very first time and OH MY!! I have to say that it was rather good :-p..


So with what little space was left, and bearing in mind that I didn't have to drive home for a change so I could foresee a couple of pints of Spitfire coming my way by the roaring fire before bed, I plumped for this little treat. Yes, Bread and Butter Pudding! Wow!


Eventually, after much groaning under the strain of our waistbands as we forced down one or two further beverages sitting by the fire, we rolled back to our room like a couple of Weebles.

Next morning after breakfast we went to Newby Bridge in the Lake District to visit these chaps below...


I can highly recommend this place, http://www.aquariumofthelakes.co.uk/ it's well laid out with lots of interesting 'touch' pools, and as well as the Otters there are harvest mice (smelly but still cute), reptiles and other small and cute fluffy things to see. Best of all is the underwater tunnel and viewing bowl where you can watch lots of fish varieties and ducks swimming and diving in what is a representation of Lake Windermere itself.


We watched the Otters for about 40 minutes as they were so gorgeous and entertaining. After the aquarium we had a fabulous drive up the west side of the lake through some beautiful autumnal scenery as Linda made as many references as possible to what a shame it was that I hadn't planned ahead and therefore let the batteries run down on my camera. Still, it really was that stunning and special that perhaps on this occasion it should stay secret and sacred where it is, locked away for ever in our memories.

Then came the dangerous bit... a very scary shopping trip to the big 'Lakeland' store in Windermere where after a nice lunch we managed to buy all sorts of 'stuff' that we just don't need! You know how it is :-)

Andrew
xx