Reasons for Reasons
I was ‘raised’ – to use a phrase from our American friends – in south Lakeland and it has always remained home. Even though I left to study when I was 18 and didn’t return untill September 2010. A lot of years.
During those interim years I have had a great life, travelled and met some wonderful people and also have a managed to bring up my son fairly successfully. So, it although it was sort of ‘on the plan’, my move back North was not without trepidation.
As part of my ‘self affirmation’ that I had made the right decision I started a Facebook album ‘Reasons To Move North’. This has had wonderful comments from my friends but I never had the courage to make it public. Then recently I went on a Travel Writing Course with Zoe ,and much to my delight and surprise received more affirmation from positive comments on my travel writing. Something else which has always remained strictly within closed leaves.
A mindful review of my first year here followed and I realised that I had had an amazing twelve months. Yes, I have travelled away, but I have also done more here in the North West than I would have previously thought possible. And I have had so many visitors! People like it here! I have become a guide for friends and acquaintances who then spread the word about how wonderful the Lake District is. This led to my providing itineraries for weekends or longer visits. Some I accompanied, others I simply provided a ‘bespoke’ itinerary, with or with accommodation booked.
So, now it’s time to go Global!
And now I have built my own blog I have used my technical, from a previous life in IT, to build one for the Howgill Harriers. If you would like one put together then please contact me for a quote.
Final Day on the Pennine Way
I did it. 19 days walking and I completed the Pennine Way. The Cheviots are lovely. I’ve never walked in them before. Fantastic views over an undulating landscape. Yes, there was a bit of flagged bog, but the sky was blue, nearly all the time, one heavy shower. The upwards undulations were not too steep, nor the downs. Only marred by strong winds which certainly impeded walking, and substantial buffeting. Quoted from MWIS. Definitely one of the best days on my journey. To end the adventure with a few ‘trail mates’ I had made...
read morePennine Way, Penultimate Day!
What a good day. The sun shone and visibility went on for miles. There was an initial steep pull out of the village to Byrness Hill. Then grassy tracks over steadily rising undulations. The views were far more varied than recent days. The folds of the Cheviots a slight resemblance to the Howgils but far more of them. Luckily it was so clear the Solway and Scotland were in view. Up to Windy Gyle was over 900m of ascent, so at over 26k, not a short day. That did include the drop down to our pick up point at Rowhorp. Windy Gyle met it’s...
read moreBellingham to Byrness
Another early start. Partly to avoid the heat. Partly because thunder was threatened later in the day. Clouds made it cooler for the tedious upward hike out of Bellingham, much on th ine road out of the village. Then the route just contours round a few hills on easy, grassy tracks, with little to commend the scenery. There’s a rather steep, narrow pull up by this wall with bracken determined to take over, and a couple of k of rather scratchy heather. But that is nothing to the tedium of several k of forest track. Once reaching the river...
read moreTwice Brewed to Bellingham.
Hard to believe two weeks ago I was walking in a ceaseless downpour on my third Pennine Day. Now it is so hot there are weather warnings for heat. I left Twice Brewed at 7am to cover as much ground as possible before the serious heat set in. The terrain undulated. Up and down most of the way, but not steep. Good given the weather. A mixture of forest and farm land. Looking at the map I thought I might be walking through the mono culture of conifers much of the day. But much in the area had been cleared. The foxgloves had regrown and a lot of...
read moreGreenhead to Twice Brewed
A very pleasant short day walking along Hadrian’s Wall. Having walked it last year for work (walk leader for holiday companies) and frazzled, I never imagined I’d be back 11 months later in another heatwave. I love the view north across the National Park. The wild flowers turning the wall into a natural rockery. Given the last couple of weeks the undulations were not a huge challenge and an early finish meant time for tea and scone at the National Park centre, the Sill Happy…
read moreAlston to Greenhead
It was hot. Such a contrast from when I started this journey. Desperate measures. The Tyne Trail heads the same way as the Pennine Way to just past Slaggyford. Given the forecast I opted for this shady route. I had time to enjoy the flowers and pastoral scenes. Not long before I was up on the moorland There is not a lot to recommend Hartlyburn and Blenkinstopp Commons. There have been other places with vast expanses of nothingness, this final stretch to Greenhead capped them all Flat. Large enough to hide any views whatsoever. Would have been...
read moreDufton to Alston
Another miles, 32km, thankfully the last. I found it easier than Middleton to Dufton maybe as I had a rest day yesterday but I think more that all the up hill is at the beginning of the day Once on Knock Fell, the steep ascent is dealt with, there’s some undulation over Great Dunn and Little Dunn, Withe the usual bog navigation, but even the ascent to Cross Fell is not too steep or long. Although the phone pic doesn’t do it justice. This was the best view I have ever had from Cross Fell Ober the Eden valley I could see Ullswater,...
read moreMiddleton to Dufton
32k of a bit north but mainly easterly travel. A day of two halves. Initially a fairly gentle stroll along the Tees. The path to just beyond High Force (Low Force above) is well maintained and makes for a speedy start. Ironically this is the first day I ended up with wet feet. Gortex can not deal with prolonged traipsing through long wet grass! If you enjoy wild flowers. This is the time to walk. As well as the meadows there were countless orchids, gentian, tiny wild pansies, ragged robin. The list goes on. Sadly the juniper in the area is...
read moreTan Hill to Middleton in Teasdale
My longest day so far, 27.2k, 17m. I’m exhausted. Tomorrow is longer, so not that sure I’m looking forward to it. Though I am looking forward to a day which has no rain in the forecast. Once the mist had burned off this morning was quite bright and after a short day yesterday I set off, enthusiasticly across Bowes moor. Lots of white markers to help on this non distcript boggy section. Until I saw the grouse feeding dish, and noticed they were liberally scattered in all directions. The real marker post were much fewer. Lots of fun...
read moreShort Day to Tan Hill
A lovely morning in Keld. Before a stroll up the hill. A planned short day so I didn’t end up with three 20 miles in succession. I would have lingered longer in Keld. The Keld Lodge we’re happy to slouch in their comfy lounge as long as, but the forecast was for rain in the afternoon, and it did. Noticing the pristine new signs installed in honour of the recent upgrade of the Coast to Coast to National Trail status. Not sure Wainwright would have approved. He wanted all to make their own way across country. The Swale from this...
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