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.
Starting from Seathwaite
Sca Fell Pike, the long way round, with exceptional weather, clear sky, no wind. A rare, fine, April day between incessant showers. It was the day to go. Seathwaite valley was as crowded as I’ve ever seen it. A bank holiday hike. The only weather window this Easter had pulled everyone out of cars and cafes. Taylor Gill was quieter than the easy trail up past Stockley Bridge. Our only companions some scouts practising their navigation. Though they didn’t get as far as the scramble. The scurge of water had at least...
read moreSpring to Winter and Back Again
There’s been much recent ‘talk’, quite rightly so, about how many people have been rescued this year in the Lakes. Going out in the mountains without the right winter kit. Caught by snow, or early end to the day and having to call out Mountain Rescue. Friday made me realise how easy this could happen to to the uninitiated. Leaving the car park at Brothers water it was distinctly spring. Blue sky. Blue water. Warmth. A few white streaks of snow on the Dodd in front. A lazy lenticular hanging on the top of the...
read moreFour Towns in Andalusia
I’m learning Spanish, or trying at least. So I went to Spain. A while ago now. Back in Early December just as winter was setting in. Before it returned to so rudely interrupt the start of spring. So with the thought of warmer days a post with some words I thought and pictures I took. Seville to Cadiz, Jerez to Malaga. Four towns of Andalusia with knots of tiny tangled streets. Streets where even my stretched arms could almost touch the houses on either side. Designed to keep cool in the height of summer heat....
read moreFriday in February
Langdale was quiet at 8 am. I wound my way in to the valley while a tractor, just ahead, scattered sheep feeding in the hedgerows. No one else was around the old Dungeon Ghyll. For most part I had a day of blissful uninterrupted isolation. Only five crossed my path. The sun chased me down Mickleden. Rising behind and washing both sheep and Langdale Pikes with a soft glow. Everything was still. No wind. Only the sound of a shepherd on his quad, with sheep scurrying down the other other side of the valley, broke the silence....
read moreMore Snow Days
The snow continues. At least on the mountains. Though there is still the fickle cycle of ‘freeze – thaw’. Miss those precious freeze days and you’ll battle with over zealous bog. After a Saturday on Helvellyn the snow gradually slid from the lower slopes. After a sixth day it only iced the tops of the higher hills. We crunched across a thin icy crust and enjoyed the views across the Kentmere valley from Shipman Knotts. Ice still clung to walls and loitered in crevices. But it was definitely on the way out. So...
read moreMountains
There’s a film around at the moment; Mountain. A beautifully shot documentary kind of film. With a wonderful soundtrack and few words. It scales the highest peaks and drops down the steepest slopes. Mans’ relationships with mountains. If you have any relationship at all with hills, or if you wonder at those that do, then fish out this film. It will pull out memories of those days when you wonder why you ever bothered to put on even one boot or glove and those which are full of...
read moreDifferent Walks, Different People
From before Christmas, through twixtmas and beyond New Year I’ve walked. Only in Cumbria. But this little county has shown it’s many different guises, landscapes and weathers. And different people. First there was fog! Before Christmas the county was bathed in still, mild moisture. A grey fug hung over the hills with little to see. In sheer desperation to be outside I wandered round Arnside, on my own. Outside can still be enjoyed. Eventually the grey lifted. The sun started to shine...
read moreFirst Snow Day
Not sure if it was, but the forecast was -15C for anything much over 6m above sea level. And snow! My first chance of the year to go for a snow walk! After a week in the significantly more temperate climes of Andalucía it was going to be a shock to the system. So on went the layers. Everything from thermal long johns to long-sleeved, figure hugging ‘base-layer’. Female walkers wrapped for winter can give any Middle Aged Man in Lycra a run for their money. But as a friend pointed out, at least our hats and buffs hide our identity. I digress....
read moreBored with My Blog
Sometimes I think I’ll run out of words. Run out of inspiration. The Lake District. Yet again. Another walk. The same hills. A slightly different route but …. same, same but different. Each time I venture up a hill our fickle weather wraps its way around in a very different way. Changing the walk as dramatically, yet more simply than a film set. Once the haunt of Golden Eagles Haweswater is the more remote side of High Street. Not the most popular way up to the well trod path. Stripes of gold and...
read moreFine Weather Days
This summer I’ve spent so much time whinging about the inclement summer it’s good to be able to redress the balance. In little over a week there have been at least three days of glorious sunshine. Three days when I have managed to get out up a hill and enjoy autumn in the Lakes at its best. Being not particularly brave, for me to venture on to any ridge I need to be able to see where I’m going, have completely dry footholds and absolutely zero chance of being ‘buffeted’ by the slightest breeze. And so it was. A day of...
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