SHOPPING8
What you're
proposingIf he's a bit slow popping the question maybe it's
time you took the initiative. Sarah Newstead has top
tips for taking the plunge and getting him to say yes
H
oping for a sparkler this
Valentine's Day? More than 10
per cent of engagements begin
on February 14 � what better
day to seal the deal and
become an honest woman?
And if you're tired of waiting, how about
taking the reins, bucking tradition and
popping the question yourself?
But here's the rub. This day, the day you
are to be encircled with the glow of an
engaged woman, is likely to be a day you
have been dreaming of ever since girlhood.
It is full of twinkly-eyed optimism,
shooting stars, cherubic cupids.
Or at the very least a tender look,
romantic backdrop and a little nervous
shuffling.
It's the floating pinnacle before wedding
planning mania and a gradual spiral into a
lifetime of dirty socks and perennial sports
programming.
In short, it must be special.
There's a wealth of fluffy anecdotes about
cute and cuddly proposals for a hopeful lover
to choose from.
But some are fraught with pitfalls.
Stashing jewellery in a helping of
chocolate pudding is perhaps somewhat
risky � it is estimated that ore people are
aided for choking on Valentine's Day than
on any other day of the year.
Although, receiving the Heimlich
Manoeuvre in front of a restaurant full of
gaping fellow diners and waiters would
certainly be a memorable start to your
betrothal.
And we've all seen those hideous YouTube
videos where a reluctant partner is
unwillingly coerced into accepting a ring
live on television.
Far better to pop the question away from
the crowds � and where better than at a
Cumbrian beauty spot on our very own
doorstep?
ME has come up with a list 10 proposal
ideas to whet your appetite...
Say it with beer: Take him on an ale-
themed tour of Cumbria. Head to Jennings
Brewery, The Bitter End, The Kirkstile Inn,
Hawkshead Brewery, Barngates and the
Watermill for hops scents, flag floors, real
fires and an education on the amber nectar.
Propose in style over a pint and don't worry
about driving � Mountain Goat can do that
for you, supplying a driver for your romantic
tour. Visit www.fellsanddales.org.uk/trails/
ale_trail and www.mountain-goat.com.
Road test some 4x4 amour: Take him on
the ultimate off road journey through the
Lake District's intense and challenging
terrain in an off road vehicle to the top of
some of England's highest peaks.
He'll be exhilarated, the setting will be
perfect, how can he possibly refuse? Visit
www.kankku.com.
Scale the heights of passion: Cumbria is
home to England's first ever mountain via
ferrata.
The two of you will negotiate the craggy
sheer cliff-face of Fleetwith Pike hundreds of
feet up while secured to a fixed cable to
reach the 2,126ft summit.
It's climbing for non-climbers � you have a
guide all the way and the reward is
uninterrupted views down the magnificent
Borrowdale Valley and ideally a proposal
acceptance. Visit www.honister.com.
Try a plateful of attraction: The way to a
man's heart is allegedly through his
stomach so take him to a traditional Lake
District pub like the Eagle and Child and ask
his hand over a plate of comfort food.
Think cosy pubs with squishy sofas, warm
fires and smashing home-made meals.
Ignore the calories, it's a special occasion.
Anything that involves chips can't possibly
fail. Pints and pies to a man are like
champagne and smoked salmon to a woman.
Visit www.eaglechildinn.co.uk.
Try out a flirty yurt: A camping
compromise, he gets to sleep in the great
outdoors, you don't have to spend a night
shivering in your sleeping bag.
Stay in a Lake District Yurt in an idyllic
location next to ancient woodland and open
fell-side.
Snuggle in front of the wood burning stove
and get a good night's sleep on the comfy
futon. He'll be grateful he didn't have to
pitch a tent.
Visit www.lake-district-yurts.co.uk.
Try driving devotion: Hire a classic
British sports car for him to drive through
the Lake District landscape. Load up the
boot with a luxury picnic. He'll feel like
James Dean, take your headscarf and
sunglasses and you'll feel like Audrey
Hepburn. Make sure you tie the scarf on
tight to avoid a Bridget Jones style hair
disaster. Visit www.lakesanddales.co.uk. For
picnics try www.lucysofambleside.co.uk.
Get him to fall for you: Take him sky
diving and view the Lake District from a
completely different angle.
Where could be more picturesque than the
great lakes of Windermere and Coniston or
the top of Scafell Pike? He'll be on an
adrenalin high and with a bit of luck you'll
get the answer you want. Visit
www.skydivenorthwest.co.uk.
Try some sky high seduction: Take him
on a hot air balloon ride with High
Adventure. Fly over the stunning
Windermere landscape while enjoying a
glass of chilled champagne. Ask his hand
and you could be on cloud nine. Visit
www.high-adventure.co.uk.
Float his boat: Hire your own personal
34ft luxury motor yacht and give him a day
to remember. You can propose to him in
ultimate style on this exclusive cruiser and
tailor the day � explore the lake, anchor in a
quiet bay and relax, dine on board, stop off
somewhere for lunch, it's up to you. Visit
www.pureindulgence.org.uk.
Try some hot tub heat: Give him a
steamy proposal in The Samling's outdoor
hot tub over-looking Lake Windermere. Visit
www.thesamling.com.
The answer: (Clockwise
from top). Pop the question
crashing to earth on a sky
dive? Sink a few pints at
the Kirkstile Inn, or take a
dip in the outdoor hot tub
at the Samling hotel. Have
an off-road adventure with
kankku or climb Fleetwith
Pike
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