A girlie holiday in a log cabin in the Lake District proved to be a relaxing weekend away for Liz Lamb and her friends.

NEVER having ventured to the Lakes, the opportunity to get away from it all was too good to miss. It was the first time we had all been on holiday together. Six girls, one cabin, and a whole weekend in each others' company.

It was either going to be chilled-out bliss or handbags at dawn.

After sorting out the particulars: who's driving, who's buying the food and, more importantly, who's paying?, we ventured from Darlington in two car loads eager to miss the rush hour traffic.

The good thing about the Lakes is that it is easy to get to and, despite some perilous country roads, we were all surprised at how short the journey was.

Arriving at our destination, White Cross Bay Leisure Park and Marina, in Windermere, we were greeted with wonderful views of the lake. Nestling in 60 acres of woodland, our log cabin was just near the water's edge with a stunning view of the marina.

The whole place was eerily quiet - a perfect setting for our relaxing weekend.

The size of the pine lodge and its amenities impressed us. I had visions of having to use a communal shower room and wrapping up warm to stave off the cold, but our three-bed lodge had a gas fire, central heating and a bathroom with shower. Some lodges even had hot tubs.

After excitedly unpacking our mammoth supply of food and alcohol, an exploration of the grounds revealed the site also had a fitness room, sauna, indoor swimming pool, cocktail bar and restaurant.

On our first night at the park we relaxed in front of the fire drinking wine before having an early night ahead of the next day's early morning sailing lesson.

The resort has its own marina and watersports school, run by the very jovial Richard.

Despite not having any sailing experience, all six of us took to it really well and each had a go at handling the boat, though there was one amusing incident when one of the girls nearly landed in the lake after losing her footing.

As well as sailing taster sessions, the school also organises family trips on the lake with a stop-off at a nearby pub, boat hire, windsurfing and lessons for children.

After a hearty warm-up meal of beans and sausage rolls we hiked to nearby Bowness where we strolled around the gift shops and enjoyed a drink or two in a waterside pub before returning for another night in - resisting the temptation to hit the clubs.

The next day we went for another woodland walk before visiting Ambleside and read the Sunday papers with a steaming cup of coffee by the lakeside.

Our weekend at the Lakes lived up to everything we expected, relaxing, chilled-out bliss, and while there were one or tantrums, we went home feeling refreshed and with our friendships still intact.

TRAVELFACTS

* White Cross Bay is run by South Lakeland Holidays. The season runs from March to November and a week's stay in a log cabin costs from £240-£805. For more information call (01539) 443937.

* To contact the Watersports Centre call (01539) 46131.