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.
Hadrians Wall
A last minute walk. Stepping into someone’s shoes at the last minute due to misfortune. Only two days of a long stroll across the northern reaches of Cumbria. Through my home county, yet not somewhere I have ever walked. Or even thought of walking. At last, there was sunshine in a so far miserable summer. Benign weather matching the pace and scope of the landscape. My knowledge of Hadrian’s wall was from primary school trips and days out with overseas visitors. Remains of forts and fortifications. Underground...
read moreIt’s All a Facade
Frigiliana. The prettiest village in Spain. Old town, new town. Tiny winding streets too steep and too narrow for cars. Houses cut into the side of the hillside fitting together like a 3d jigsaw puzzle. Each seems to have a terrace. Each it’s own tiny front door and sometimes garden. Fig and orange trees cling precariously to unoccupied spaces and the scent of overflowing jasmine follows each step. At first disorientating it is quickly possible to mind map the small town. ...
read moreRandom Weekend
Nothing at all spectacular happened on this storm swept weekend. Took a few random photos Of sheep and a wind farm The Howgill Fells A few squares at Lowther Castle A lane I love And I was caught in a storm And baked a cake!
read moreWhere will your ML take you?
This was a far cry from battling wet tents. Stumbling through bogs. Dripping rain from clothing and noses, wandering round indistinguishable contours and wondering which misty hill was the fuzzy shape rising in front. This was the shape of many of my practice, training and qualifier days. When I wondered if I’d ever complete, or would it ever be worth while. Two years down the line I can say it was, is even. I’ve been slowly acquiring work with my ML and this weekend worked for a lovely company, Walking Women. They organise...
read moreLondon Weekend
Left the countryside, Went to the city, No sheep, No hills. Little more crowded and angles more acute. Different views to photograph Some shiny glass In the city A few old bikes. Things not put on the brochures. City detritus A slightly more glossy view St Pauls From the south bank, to the northern bits. Canal from Camden Even inside for a while – difficult to do when the sun is shining. Tate Modern
read moreArctic Icy Blast
35 to 50 mile an hour gusts were forecast. 35 constant was the feel. With a unforgettable reminder of how wind and its chill make walking, lets say, more of a challenge. The way to Loadpot Hill Picking Askham as a midpoint between my friend and I, Loadpot Hill, with not ridges to be blown from and a summit of only 671m we thought we may emerge unscathed. Whatever the weather threw at us. Boundary Stone And, we did. Though there was the odd spot where I was almost tempted to pull the plug and go back. Luckily the...
read moreFirst of the white stuff
At last it has snowed! Seriously wondering whether winter was ever going to happen this year, we have had a covering, may be ever briefly in Cumbria Having planned to get out for a hike anyway, I headed up to Langdale, where an equally snow smitten friend and I, ooed and aaaed going into the Langdale valley as if we’d never seen it, or snow, before. It wasn’t even a blue sky day! Just the kind of day with enough mist and murk to put off most walkers, yet not make navigating the familiar totally impossible. The snow wasn’t even deep...
read moreWay up another Wainwright or Three
My first Lake District Walk of the new year. To Haweswater reservoir, that which drowns the valley of Mardale. Mardale, is a mere hop-skip-and-hike away from Kendal, if approached from Kentmere. To start from Mardale adds a road trip of 25 miles Taking the road trip on Sunday I slogged up Gatesgarth Pass to Harter Fell and round and down Riggindale. The weather was benign for December. In this winter of global warming we have had precious little snow, yet a biting wind clawed over Nan Bield Pass. The milder weather is more incentive for...
read moreWalking the Cumbria Way – Hints, Tips and Practicalities
If I’m in the Lake District I’m usual on a hill, on my way up, or down. The challenge of bagging Wainwrights has been and gone. I’ve completed the the Coast to Coast. crossing the country, and county, in a West/East direction and trekked in far away places. With the Peaks of the Balkans imminent, I unexpectedly had a diary gap, so what better way to fill it than with my first multi-day solo hike. Practically on the flat in generally, hilly Cumbria. How much of a challenge could that possibly be? If you want to be on...
read moreWalking the Cumbria Way In Five Days
Beginning in Ulverston, the CW wanders as due north as possible. Bar a brief hiccough on day two. Through the Lake District National Park, to its ultimate destination in Carlisle a mere 70 miles later. Day One Ulverston to Coniston 29.1 k 18.1 miles The Start There is a plaque on the wall as the start of day 1. Clearly defined. Having been dropped off in the centre of the town, it took a little wandering before I found it. Then I headed out of town by Gill Banks Beck, meeting only...
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