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.
Lanzarote
If I’d researched Lanzarote I may never have got there. It was all a bit of a random choice Not much more than sticking a pin in the map of easily accessible places with December sunshine. Many who visit the tight bunches of pseudo white pueblos are happy with just the sunshine, never wandering beyond their boundaries. At first glance, much of the island is barren and bare. For someone who enjoys lush green landscapes and mountains the island is probably not, therefore, a natural choice. An easily accessible ‘new’...
read moreThe Nidderdale Way
Clare Balding took six days, we took four. The Nidderdale Way is a 53 mile (squashed) circular walk tracing the Nidderdale valley, revolving around Pateley Bridge. It fits conveniently into four sections; Pateley Bridge to Middlesmoor, Middlesmoor to Bewerley, Bewerley to Ripley and finally, Ripley back to Pateley Bridge. Guides to all of these sections can be found by following the relevant four links. You can listen to Clare’s six sections on iplayer. There’s loads of detail here and in this guide book,...
read moreCoast, Cliffs and Cinder Tracks
North York Moors I remember for grouse, heather and some rain. My last trip to this coastline on day 12 of the coast to coast Staying put this time, at Cober Hill with its rambling grounds. With weather also ‘fixed’ , in high pressure sunshine. Perfect for exploring wide beaches and abruptly ending cliffs. Seals pottered about the headlands, not oblivious to the shoals of fish puckering the benign summer sea. Four days walking the coast from Sandsend to Scarborough. A useful loop back for day walks given by the...
read moreBlack Sail and Beyond
Tucked away in the Ennerdale Valley, its diminutive size dwarfed by Pillar to the south and the High Stile ridge standing across the valley, is Black Sail ‘Hut’. Now a hostel run by the YHA. Some what iconic in the world of UK hostels it was somewhere I’d never stayed and rarely viewed. So when I had a spare few days in August it was the first choice for a ‘staycation’. We walked in, a bike being our only other option, from Honister. Crossing the detritus of the slate mines and by another tiny bothy. There’s a bit of a...
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