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.
Wasdale Screes
A tale of two halves. A walk in two parts, and may be a desire to go back to my ostrich technique, don’t read or listen to, tales of the route. The hills, Whin Rigg and Illgill head, after an initial pull upwards were rather benign. Even the weather was a little uninspiring. Not the fantasic blue of the day before and not high enough to hit the snow, though the ground was solid under thin winter grass. Despite low cloud, the air was clear and beyond the Lake District was not only the blot of Windscale , and the not too blotted wind...
read moreLast Far Eastern
A vast colour spectrum from white, through blue to ochre and green. Even the grey, snaking, Kirkstone road, added to promise of a great day. White veils slipped down the gullies pulling a little doubt on whether we would be walking through the mist or enjoying a mountain slideshow. As we set off up the wonderfully titled Pasture Bottom, our return, via Gray Crag, was still swathed, while Hartsop was etched against vivid blue. Looking back to Brothers Water the far hills were opening up with just a little haze Threshwaite juggled...
read moreHiking Hindscarth
Buttermere Fell drops dramatically down to Honister and its namesake tarn. Steep sides of blue grey scree looking harsh and impenetrable. A total contrast to the soft Newlands valley on the slope side of the escarpment. So quite satisfying to have seen the harsh slopes last weekend, on the way up Gable then return to benign Newlands to pick off my remaining peaks of the Buttermere buttress. We started from blissfully sheltered Little Town and wound our way up to Maidenmoor. Each meter gained gave truth to the forecast of...
read moreWainwright Box Set
This is an offer too good to miss. When someone told me that there was an offer on Amazon to buy the Wainwright books for £20 I was just a little sceptical. So I thought I would find out. It is true. The are there. Sold by the book people for £19.29, postage was only £2.80. They are the 50th anniversary edition. Here is the Amazon link You have to be a bit tenacious and search as you will be offered full price first. If the link takes you to the full price click the link to Amazon UK and search again for...
read moreLest We Forget
Everyone has someone or some reason to ‘remember’ on November 11th. Wether it be recent or past. Sadly war is still present. Even in our privileged country of plenty it invades through increasingly sophisticated media. There are those who think it should not be. Why show the atrocities? Why reveal situations which make us ‘uncomfortable’ in our comfort? Great pomp and ceremony is often associated with remembrance but the strongest messages can come in the most simple form. Great Gable on Sunday, and is every year, the most natural...
read moreSultry Souther Fell
Ullswater rested in the valley without even a ripple. Low light bounced off resplendent golden sycamore and oak. Water slewed off the hills in torrents as I drove beyond Patterdale to the northern hills. The same light and water which made driving a hazard, created a picture fit for the Romantics. Unfortunately it didn’t last. By the time I reached my first hill of the day all Romanticism had disappeared and found the top of Little Mell Fell in a sulk. I was rather glad that it took only 15 minutes to dash, in the hail, to the top of...
read moreWinter Walked In
Autumn slipped in almost un-noticed this year. Clear blue sky and brilliant sunshine lasted well into September. October clouds closed in but there was still warmth with trees hanging on to coloured leaves. Then November. Winter crashed in. Wild winds banging doors, dropping leaves and trees. From wearing shorts we were suddenly rummaging around for thermals and winter hats. Walking has once more become a tumultuous affair. Moments of calm, harmonious colours in lower valleys shallow becks turn into fast flowing torrents...
read moreScafell Scramble
How to cope with challenging routes? Dare I say be as unprepared as possible? Well, not totally wear the right kit but just don’t read or look at pictures. It had worked perfectly on Sharp Edge. I can honestly say if I had seen the pictures of where I scrambled that day, I would never have gone. So when there was a slight indication that Scafell via Lord’s Rake, West Wall Traverse and Deep Gill may be challenging I chose to remain in blissful ignorance. Challenging? A bit, but fabulous fun. Wasdale was clear but cloud clung to the top as...
read morePhotogenic Fungi
Sometimes nature is not obliging. Things move. They dance about in the wind. They fly or run or leap. Light dodges around trees or shines into a lens. Rain pours from the sky and drips down your sleeves, but sometimes, just sometimes it doesn’t The subject stands still and the light is just where you want it to be. There is more than just fungi in these pictures. I was surprised to spot a creature on close inspection. Can you see it? Waxcaps found on the edge of Gillbeck Wood, Nidderdale. A Woodland Trust Wood. You will need this OS...
read moreFeasting Fieldfares
Spotted a flock of Fieldfares feasting on berries. Tree stripped in half an hour! Fieldfares found on the edge of Gillbeck Wood, Nidderdale. A Woodland Trust Wood. You will need this OS Map
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