This weekend will see us hosting a large family party for a birthday boy of some 90 years. There will be their kids and grandkids, in-laws and out-laws (only joking). There will be a large birthday cake and candles, a fancy dinner to follow on Saturday, and a family reunion of the extended family. Hubby and I have arranged it all, with me doing all of the organisational work. However, Hubby will take charge of Friday evening’s dinner, for which I am extremely grateful.
We have allocated nine rooms in our guest house to about 14 guests. All three single rooms boasting Lake Windermere views have been taken. A pair of twins will be sharing our woodland view room for twin occupancy. Their parents and sister will take the Lake Windermere view room next door for triple occupancy. Another two first floor double rooms, both with Lake Windermere views, one panoramic, have been commandeered by the family. The birthday boy and his wife, however, being elderly, have opted to stay on the ground floor in one of our lovely standard rooms, again with Lake Windermere views.
On Saturday, our guest lounge at Blenheim Lodge will echo to cries of ‘Happy Birthday’ as everyone sings for their supper before our venerable guest cuts into a 16″ birthday cake. Then the champagne corks will pop for a heartfelt toast before heading out to Kendal for a delicious meal. The past few weeks have been busy ones for me as I worked with the restaurant to arrange this joyful occasion.
Liaising with the restaurant, we have asked everyone attending the birthday meal to give us their menu choices ahead of time so as to help service along at the restaurant. I organised taxi transport to take everyone to the venue and back again. I even arranged for a little surprise for the VIP because I am sure he will appreciate the extra thought that will have gone into (hopefully) making his birthday break a stunning one.
It will only be a short weekend break and everyone will return home on Sunday. However, I am sure that everyone involved in this family get together will have enjoyed just being together to celebrate such a wonderful occasion. After all, it is not everyday that someone reaches his or her ninth decade!
Blenheim Lodge is a great place for family reunions as this occasion will be. Our place is large enough to house 21 people comfortably and we have a spare fold down bed for the 22nd person at a push. At the same time, our guest house in pretty Bowness-on-Windermere is small enough to be intimate even for an extended family. The bonus of having a guest lounge means that family members have a separate area to relax in, either together or on their own, and need not meet in their bedrooms only.
Blenheim Lodge is a proper family home, so families can feel comfortable here. There is no need to stand on ceremony. Anyone can walk about in socks, parade around in pyjamas, or with hair uncombed if he or she so wishes. Our 5-minute easy walking proximity to local amenities and attractions means that family members can explore the town centre, have a meal, shop, go to the theatre or cinema, hop on a cruise, and so on, without needing to drive. And if no one wants to walk the 5 minutes uphill back to Blenheim Lodge, why, a taxi cab ride will cost no more than £3 or thereabouts. However, for those who enjoy walkabouts, Blenheim Lodge is ideally nestled into National Trust acres where guests may wander at will and enjoy scenic lake and countryside views.
Best of all, when large families book Blenheim Lodge, they may book up the whole house. This gives them privacy without the concomitant chores of grocery shopping, cooking, and house cleaning which would need to be done if renting self-catering accommodation. On the other hand, our Bed and Breakfast supplies comfortable rooms and breakfast, a happy family space to re-connect with each other and relax in, and we do all the washing up and house cleaning. All we ask for is the common courtesy that all guest houses expect: to look after our home as they would care for their own.
So, if you are thinking of holding a family reunion, do consider a stay at Blenheim Lodge. And if you require any help with add on arrangements, such as cakes, flowers, drinks, dinner and travel arrangements, etc., do ask if you think we can assist. We will do our best to ensure that your break is a happy one.
Blenheim Lodge . . . panoramic Lake views, peace and tranquillity, nestled against acres of beautiful fields and woodlands, in the heart of the English Lake District National Park.’