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.
Day 3 Seatoller to Patterdale
Ran out of time and energy after a long 27k walk. All we could do was head for the pub. Had managed to make Helm Crag en-route before dropping off the edge to Dunmail Raise and the long, slow slog up to Grisedale Tarn. Lovely welcome at the B&B – Old School House, Patterdale. Interestingly most of the other Coast to Coasters we have met were taking an extra stop in Grasmere. Glaramara Centre View from between Greenup and Gibson Knott Grisedale Tarn The Old School House B &...
read moreEnnerdale to Rosthwaite
day of eternal cloud. it never left the tops. But being eternal optimists and because we were just ‘there’, we took the high road over Red Pike, High Stile and ultimately Haystacks over to the next valley. Ennerdale valley really told us what was to come. The tops were truly pasted with grey. If we had doubted yesterday why we were carrying waterproof clothing and hats, well the Lakeland hills pulled no punches and most of my pack was emptied and worn. Only technology confirmed we actually made it to the relevant peaks. We had...
read moreSt Bees to Ennerdale
A gentle introduction. Today we took a stroll along some cliffs. The long detour from St Bees to Sandwith does appear a bit of a nonsense when you look at the map, but it makes the walking day more interesting than just heading across country from the coast. We were blown around but the cormorants were enjoying the rollercoaster air in an impressive aerial display. Unfortunately it is too late in the year to see any birds nesting along the cliffs at the RSPB view points. Up till the lighthouse the path is now on a...
read moreSt Bees – the Start
Arnside to St Bees is one of prettiest journeys i have done by train. Alternating between the vast expanses of marshland, mountains creeping close to the coast and then the unexpected sands of north Cumbria. Then, on arrival, the place is loaded with history of exiled women and mummified men, not to mention the delicious food at local restaurants. What a good start to a very long walk!
read morePillar via Kirk Fell
Little did I realise when on top of Kirk Fell in a rare glorious summer’s day that in only a matter of weeks I would be there again in equally balmy sunshine. This time though I was merely ‘passing through’, on the way to Pillar. Haphazard route – recorded successfully and can be downloaded from Getamap here. Not that you need it if the weather is good, the paths are fairly clear, bar on the scree up Kirk Fell and there you just go UP. Even before reaching the NT car park (free to all) shimmering Wast Water indicated a...
read moreRaise – Eventually
Having not quite made the de-tour to Raise on Friday I was itching to tick it, along with White Side, from the ridge line north of Helvellyn. I also thought I may have slightly better light than on Friday. The morning was promising. Clear blue sky in South Lakes, and pretty much all the way up to Thirlmere. Unfortunately the hills had their heads in the clouds and they remained that way until I was back down in the valley. I did see a little even if not what I had anticipated. Good signs.. Well built ladder stiles Several gates Stunning...
read moreSticky Tape Sky
Although not as dramatic as some of the recent ridge hikes, this round of green hills has a lot going for it from the ‘view’ aspect. So it was disappointing that it was one of those grey muggy days where I may as well have had sticky tape stuck over my camera lens. I will just have to try to paint a picture with words and encourage you to take the tour. I parked by Lucy’s Wood . Take a benign stroll for a mile or two along the Old Coach Road. Mell Fells, Blencathra and Skiddaw hovering hazily on the periphery and I met this...
read moreRolling Northern Fells
In contrast to the jagged central fells and a trip to Mungrisdale to meet up with a friend and bag up Carrock Fell and High Pike. And it was a learning day. I have mentioned a few times over the past few blogs having been rescued or at least consult, someone whom had a GPS to check I was on the right track. Then I upgraded to an iPhone and tried out a map App on that and became hooked. So with my impending Coast to Coast walk I bought a Garmin GPS. The problem was using it. I am pretty technology savvy. I went into the IT industry...
read moreMissing out the Man
There are a few Wainwrights which don’t form a logical circuit from Coniston and had so far eluded me. Previously I had seen people appear over the rim of Goat’s Hause from the Seathwaite side of the hills and looking at what was missing from my list, Grey Friar, Great Cars, Swirl How and Brim Fell, I could hit them all without having to re-trace my steps. I hadn’t really accounted for the extra walk to Seathwaite tarn, but never mind. As it had poured with rain the previous evening, the temptation to take a detour down to see the...
read moreHaweswater and Selside Pike
This is the third walk I have done from Mardale in the past 9 months, and never have I managed to pick a good weather day. Each time the sun has vied with the cloud to make some kind of dramatic weather scene. In October with mist and rain and on New Years Day, snow on High Street was a healthy alternative to the Sales. This time we took the ‘old corpse road’ up the west side, taking a right turn to Selside Pike. I can not say this was the most impressive of Wainwright walks. The most impressive part of the day was this...
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