#romanticbreak

Marshes, dunes and expansive beaches populate this rugged and altogether stunning stretch of coastline that frames the Western Lake District. As well as its charming coastal towns, the Solway Coas has marvellous viewpoints looking over the Irish Sea, where sunsets make blood-red skies and silhouettes of the Isle of Man.

And besides all that shameless romanticism, the Cumbria coastline is also home to some fantastic wildlife. Charismatic lapwings can be seen strolling the spongy grasslands, redshanks hold position on jutting rocks and anchored boats, and snapes wade shallow waters in search of a wriggly snack.

Meanwhile, keep an eye out for a pair of eyes and muzzle bobbing in the sea; Grey seals are a common sight around these parts - although they are more likely to spot you before you spot them.

Having spent a productive morning of shoreline exploration, and bird and seal spotting, Maryport offers plenty of traditional seaside fare for a lunch at one of its numerous fish and chip shops, restaurants or pubs.

From here, perhaps you’ll be tempted to continue the adventure inland and wander up the River Ellen, which runs through Maryport harbour as it enters the sea. This gentle river offers pretty - and fruitful - spots along its tranquil stretches (brown trout, sea trout - up to ten pounds - and salmon), as well as some classically English meadows - perfect for a picnic or an afternoon stroll. Or some fly fishing, of course.

But if you prefer to continue northwards, Allonby offers sandy beaches, famous ice cream, and Swarthy Hill, or Mileforlet 21, the site of a Roman milecastle that housed soldiers as part of Hadrian’s coastal defences. Fully excavated in 1991, it is open to the public with a small car park a short walk away. With the discovery of the skeleton of a two-metre-tall Viking chief in a local village, Aspatria, Cumbria is rich in history.

needs a mention.

so my post about the world and being on the other side. i guess this is a step i missed in the storyline. in fact, that i posted so quickly i didn't even go into detail.

here's a vague outline.

it started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this. as everything always does. but this was different, so so different. it wasn't just any old kiss. it was more a dying but so glad we are not dying kind of kiss. long story, but in a nutshell it was a dangerous night in the water that ended up quite romantic!

we spoke, laughed and joked. somehow along the way mentioned Milan and how cool a trip there would be. with only 6 days to do it, we made plans and sure enough it went ahead. a weekend in Milan. a 3 and a half hour drive, two nights and an incredible hotel... it happened.

and honestly, from the bottom of my heart, it was the most perfect weekend i have ever spent. no faults, no flaws, nothing at all even slightly negative.

laughs, jokes, giggles, cries of laughter, smiles, fuzzy warm feelings, love. that's all it was. everything positive, everything amazing and everything beautiful. it said so much, showed so much. more than anything i guess it proved so much. these things can happen. do happen, did happen even. we found love and created perfection. or the other way around, i can't say. either way, that's what it was. i'd do it all over again if i could. five times over. i want to, now now now. the end happened and now my heart aches. but that's life I suppose. a part of living and a part of loving.

the best time of my life. Milano, Italia. Grazie G. 04.10.13 - 06.10.13