Ben had a brilliant birthday and we all really enjoyed our day out. Of course it was the only day of the year that Ben decided to sleep in!! We were all up, washed and dressed and eating breakfast before he decided to surface, why can't he do this every day!!!??? He opened his presents from Eilidh and Grandma and Grandpa before heading off to catch the train from Arnside. He seemed quite laid back about the fact he didn't have a clue where we were going, Eilidh on the other hand was over-excited and driving everyone mad!!

We had a lovely if a little long train journey through to Ravenglass which is over on the West coast. It was really nice going through some places we already know and others we have never been to before. The Ravenglass and Eskdale miniature railway runs just beside the main line station so we had a short walk over and then Ben twigged what we were doing. His eyes lit up as he saw a proper steam engine complete with little carriages where you could sit inside or out (a Ben size train!!)
We decided to go all the way along to the station at the other end (7 miles) and it took about 45 mins. The scenery is stunning around there and both the kids were happy looking, pointing out things and trying to see the engine when we went around corners. Although it had been pouring with rain when we started out, the rain held off for most of the day which was great.When we got off up at Dalegarth the kids watched as the engine turned around on a miniature turntable to take the train back again. The engine driver showed them all the shiny levers, how to put in the coal, blow the whistle and oil the wheels and Ben was captivated!! As the train went off, we decided to have a little walk down to Boot where there is an old working water mill (http://www.eskdalemill.co.uk). We had a look around and the miller showed us how it all worked, letting the kids have a go at pulling sacks of flour through trap doors. It's only a small place but well worth a visit and the little village is beautiful (just beware, the toilets!!!!) on the left we have the ladies -indoor- toilets, both of them (obviously designed for intimacy) and Ben directs your attention to the gents, that is under (or perhaps even into) the sluice that feeds the water to the wheel.

As we have had so much rain, the river out of the back of the mill was absolutely racing and mostly white water.
We had a bit of lunch at the Inn in the village then headed back to catch the little train back down to Ravenglass. We had a look around the small museum there, watched the workmen working on some of the trains and then it was time to head back to the main line and home.

Ben made sure he stayed awake all the way home by singing to himself because he knew he had more presents to open!! The day was finished off with a piece of Thomas the Tank Engine cake and then two very tired kids went off to bed (followed later by two very tired parents!) A fantastic day!!!