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.
Plas Y Brenin
I’ve spent nearly a year now ticking off boxes and completing tasks towards obtaining my Mountain Leader accreditation. From my first training in June last year, hiking up hills in all weathers. Getting lost in mist. Leading groups. Working with DofE and volunteering with the Lake District National Park. Last weekend in Wales, a ‘pre assessment’ course. Designed to give confidence for the final assessment. I’m not sure I’m any less terrified than I was but I have now contributed so much from my bank account that I’m going...
read moreHills and Bells
May so far has brought snow, soaring temperatures and back to frost. If we’re confused then heavens knows what nature thinks. Amazingly the usual May show of bluebells has positively flourished in the haphazard weather. Brigsteer and Witherslack woods in South Cumbria have been carpeted in blue. The rich smell of bluebells interspersed with pungent white wild garlic. Further north Rannerdale, between Crummock Water and Buttermere, holds one of the most delightful secrets of nature. Another stunning blue carpet, but not hidden under...
read moreSnow to Sunburn
Brothers Water belies a comfortable calm nestled below the harshness of Kirkstone Pass. Hartsop Dodd hung still in the early morning. Swans and herons an occasional break to the reflection. Busy house martins darted from barns around Hartsop Hall. Hartsop Dodd stretched down. Last week’s snow now gone. From Brothers Water to Kirkstone pass is a remarkably easy walk. Just a steady ascent with the added bonus of the Inn at the top. Timed to perfection for coffee. Then there was a bit of a hike. Up Ravens Edge, across to Caudale Moor and on...
read moreSpring Snow
Is there any wonder that as a nation we are obsessed with the weather? Last weekend spring had most definitely sprung and Maidenmoor basked in sublime warm. On Friday a thick murk of grey blotted out its top while crossing Walla Crag was as cold as a scene from A Winter’s Tale. Wind swept and white. The only release from monochrome in the streams and trees of the valley. A brief high pressure hiatus on Saturday. The day to be walking, Overnight cold leaving the snow in situ. Not the most usual parting to April. And not the usual hike...
read moreHigh Spy from Rosthwaite
Last time I was on top of High Spy, a blanket of November cloud dampened the horizon and I battled to keep my feet being snatched by the ‘buffeting’ wind. Friday was kind. Sunshine and blue sky. A different route. Just because it was there. Rather than the full horseshoe from Newlands valley a fast ascent. Over the surprisingly revealed, we’ve had a lot of rain, stepping stones and straight up Tongue Gill. Slate works scatterings a reminder that the hills were once the prevail of more than sheep and hikers. Dale Head and Launchy Tarn...
read moreSlow Walk from Lancaster
A couple of years ago I was happily traipsing along between Keld and Reeth. Day 7 of my Coast to Coast walk. Marvelling at the joy of just being there, when I, and my equally happy companion, met what was clearly a human wall of abject misery. A line of yellow backed Duke of Edinburgh candidates who professed to finding absolutely no joy in their world. And so it has been whenever I’ve seen these groups of heavily laden youths, plodding over any hill. They never appear to be happy. Last weekend I was enlightened a little, spending two...
read moreWeekend Wandering
And yet another photo blog. From a ‘friends visiting where can I take them?’ Ride on the Ullswater steamer. Not everyone I know wants to scramble up mountains. A walk back with the promise of a tea room at the end. Which was closed when we got there. Still friends. The discovery of a new tea room, Lowther Barn, en route. Unfortunately I’d packed the tea and cake. Next time. The steamer is up and running. But the effects of the flooding are still prominent. Vast piles of debris scaring the hillsides and the remarkable moving road...
read moreOnly Steeple
Last time I went on Steeple I was still on the Wainwright mission. Hence there was, at the time, not point just hiking up one hill. Yes, I know purists think they should all be done one at a time. I’m not that fanatical. So the route was from Wastwater, taking in Haycock en-route, with Red Pike and Yewbarrow clearing up the end. This time was far more straight forward. From Ennerdale Water. With it’s reflected glory Hiking up over Twit How Constantly looking back to Ennerdale and the coast And forwards to the crags of Steeple. In the end...
read moreEaster Sunday – Braemar
Easter Sunday in Braemar. MWIS announced more gales and rain. Over breakfast the sun shone. We gambled on the weather not playing to the rules. The Linn of Dee, just down the road. A walk along Glen Lui and part the way along the old drove road towards Aviemore. Lairig Ghru. Only a very short way up this 28 mile trail from Braemar. A bit further than both ‘Bob Scott’s Bothy’ and the abandoned Derry Lodge. Far enough though to see the vast mountain plateaux of the Cairngorms. Ominously dark and topped with snow. Most definitely a mid summer...
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