A romantic trip on one of Cumbria’s most adored tourist attractions saw a couple get engaged in a beautiful moment captured by one of the boat’s crew members.

The Ullswater Steamers is a tourist attraction based around the titular lake where boats take people up and down.

Visiting the Lake District from Darlington were Jessica Coombs and Geoff Chandler, who were there for a getaway.

On the itinerary was a trip on the Steamers, something Jessica said she was nervous about.

Jessica explained: “I’m absolutely terrified of boats but I thought I've been brave enough for most things while we were together, so I gave it a go.

“Even a Lilo in a swimming pool makes me seasick, but he always wants to go on boats, and I felt a bit mean that I’ve said no before so when we saw the brochure for the Ullswater Steamers, I thought it would be okay.”

Jessica was none the wiser that Geoff would be getting down on one knee to pop the question: “I don't know if I should be slightly concerned by how well he can keep secrets.

“Initially, I did think it was a joke, he's the type to prank me, but when I saw it was serious, it was amazing.”

Jessica, 27, and Geoff, 35, met on Tinder during lockdown two years ago, not your usual how we met story, as Jessica added: “I wasn't looking for a relationship, I was just looking for a bit of fun, but I've ended up with everything I ever wanted.”

Afterwards, Jessica said Geoff spent that day drunk on prosecco.

She added: “It's that cliche of being in a bubble, it was just lovely.

“We went and had a couple of drinks in Keswick and had a lovely meal at The Royal Oak.

“It was nice to be able to switch phones off and just spend quality time together.”

She would also, despite being nervous initially, definitely ride the Steamers again.

Capturing the moment was boat crew member David Halley, who was on board the ship Raven, and said: “Prior to boarding that trip the guy in the pier house advised me that the chap in the red jacket (Geoff) was intending to propose and asked if that would be okay and if we could make suitable arrangements.

“[Geoff] came down for a beer, he was absolutely terrified of what he was going to do, we got to a point in the journey and the sun came down and I told the skipper to slow down a bit, I nodded to Geoff, and he took Jess onto the back deck of Raven and I went down with my camera.
“She said yes, I congratulated them, I went to the saloon, got a bottle of prosecco and a couple of glasses on behalf of the company, and offered our company’s congratulations.

“I'm delighted that they're happy together.”

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