Heading to Lancashire for the weekend to Blackpool and staying in a static caravan was an interesting way to spend my 45th birthday.

The weekend was also spent with friends Gavin, Wendy, Spencer and Clare (as well as Heather of course) and I had very little idea what had been planned for me either.

The Friday evening was spent in Blackpool enjoying some Italian food at Sapori, just a short walk from the iconic Blackpool Tower. It was a really nice place and very 'un Blackpool like' and importantly served up some great food.

Saturday morning started at 0830, that was as much as I knew - apart from needing to be wearing some decent walking gear. By taxi we travelled to Kirkham & Wesham station and then onward to Preston - there was time for a bacon roll before Wendy guided us all to a train bound for Windermere. We're we going all the way or getting off sooner?

It turned out that we were heading to Windermere and having arrived there it was a quick walk down to the lake to Bowness and then onto a boat to Ambleside. From here the serious walking began and a fast pace was set as we walked around the lake, a six an a bit mile trek to get us back to the Mitchell Wyke Ferry in order to get another boat across the lake to Bowness-on-Windermere. The rain started about a mile from the boat jetty and boy did it rain!

Having to escape the torrential rain in Bowness we dived into a Tapas bar for a well earned drink and some Spanish food. It was turning into a truly international weekend!

With the rain abating it was time to head back towards the caravan, have a quick change, and get ready for dinner. Again, our destination was a secret to me but it turned out the we had a reservation at The Beach House, another 'un Blackpool like' restaurant and bar. With the sun setting, looking out over the North Pier, there was plenty of food options available. I settled for a very traditional British option of 'fish and chips' even though the music and views could possibly have been mistaken for Ibiza rather than Lancashire at a push!

The Sunday morning was a relaxed start after a late night - or more correctly an early morning finish in Blackpool - with breakfast at Ma Bakers, a short walk from the Pipers Heights caravan park. A traditional English breakfast really did set us all up for the day ahead, which would mainly involve travelling back by train to Derby via Preston and Crewe.

As write this entry I realise that I am know closer to 50 than 40, but still wanting to do all the things I did when I was in my 30s. I really am happy to head towards the half century doing just as much as I can.

A big thank you to Gavin and Wendy for hosting us at Pipers Heights, as well as Spencer, Clare and Heather for helping me celebrate my 45th birthday in style visiting the north west of England.