Me: “I’ve got a really good ‘knock, knock’ joke.”

Other person: “Really?”

Me: “Yeah, you start…”

Other person: “Knock, knock”

Me: “Who’s there?”

Other person: “Errrrrr…”

Gets people every time. 🙂

At home, I used to be with Talktalk and changed to Plusnet. Happier with the latter.

At work, I use Zen who seem better still, but cost more.

Hi zokes… I don’t know if you would consider self-catering at all but, if you would, we have a lovely apartment on the river in Kendal that you might like to look at. It has its own private balcony with views of the river and towards Kendal Castle.

…and here’s a picture of the master bedroom. (There’s a second bedroom, too, so the place can sleep up to 4 people.)

If you’d like to learn more, there’s a website here with further information.

We (Kendal Cottages) would have loved to have accommodate you but I’m afraid we’re already fully booked.

Our accommodation is beautifully finished and has a lovely river view, rather than a lake, but does weigh in at well under £400 for a Monday-Friday break in March.

Please keep us in mind for another occasion if you like what you see.

Hello from the edge of the Lake District (Kendal to be precise).

I wouldn’t have thought you want to be out in the sticks either, not with a 2 year old. But, if you did want to be somewhere remote, there are endless opportunities as the first respondent suggests. The outskirts of the ‘honeypot’ villages of Windermere, Bowness, Ambleside, Coniston, Hawkshead, Grasmere and Keswick are all places you could look.

We have a holiday place also that you might like to look at but it certainly wouldn’t qualify as remote: http://www.kendalcottages.com – it’s a town centre location so near all amenities but peaceful, too, because it’s on the river. Possibly not what you’re looking for, but Kendal does have a soft play centre, a cinema (and other events) at the Brewery Arts Centre, and the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction / South Lakes Wild Animal Park / Lakes Aquarium / etc. are all within easy reach and great for little ones for those wet weather days.

Kendal also has an Evans Cycles and Askew Cycles hire bikes at a competitive rate. Plus Wheelbase mentioned above is just up the road.

Whatever you decide on, I hope you enjoy your visit to this beautiful county. 🙂

What time of year were you looking for? If you’re looking for a short break before the end of October, you might find it difficult to find a self-catering place that will take just a few nights. At least the better places will tend to book up with full week bookings.

We have a lovely place but it’s fully booked until the end of October (apart from half term week, strangely, but I’m sure that will book), but I’m afraid we don’t take dogs so wouldn’t be in a position to help anyway.

If it’s just for a couple of nights, you might find a hotel/B&B is an easier option…

I’m afraid it’s not the Langdales but we have a nice apartment in Kendal that you might want to take a look at. It recently won the Holiday Lettings 2011 Hall of Fame award, beating more than 45,000 properties across over 100 countries! 🙂

Anyway, if you’d like to take a look, there’s a website at http://www.kendalcottages.com

Wherever you choose, though, I hope you enjoy your visit.

Hello from Kendal on the edge of the Lake District. I ran past Grizedale only last Monday as it happens. Lovely sunny day and looked to be as busy as ever there.

In addition to the YHAs already mentioned, you might like to look at Dalefield in Ambleside. It’s a lovely self-catering property that can sleep up to 10. The owners actually live there (ask for Paul and say ‘Paul Johnson’ sent you!) but vacate the property whenever it is let, I believe. Alternatively, I think you can stay on a B&B basis. It would be a good base and I pretty sure they could accommodate bikes too.

Another possibility is the Queens Hotel[/url] in Ambleside. I’m not sure what bike storage facilities they offer, but I’m sure they must have something as it’s a fair sized hotel right in the middle of the town.

And if you ever re-visit the county as a smaller party of 4 or less, do please look up my own holiday let ( a self-catering apartment in Kendal ). Cyclists are very welcome – you can leave your bikes secured to your vehicle in our secure, keycard-accessed car park at the base of the apartment building – or, if you wanted added security, there’s a cycle shop just a short walk from the accommodation (Askew Cycles) that will store bikes for you for a modest weekly fee.

Enjoy your visit,

Paul