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.
Silverdale Serenity
There are many walks round Silverdale but this route taken from Cicerone, Walks in Silverdale and Arnside surpassed them all in terms of serenity and variety. The OS map is littered with footpaths around Silverdale, all of which appear to be well signposted and many pass through National Trust land which have interesting local information posted on them. One noted that if you sat down in the adjacent meadow you would be able to touch 25 different plant species. Believable. This post won’t explain the entire route, just show you some of what...
read moreJust walking the dog
Along Holme canal Sometimes there is a lot to see in a very short time Look at related posts to see more birds and wildlife.
read moreShort Walk with Wainwright
Back in Cumbria and soon had itchy feet to go take a walk. Unfortunately did not have all day, having just returned from Shetland, but sometimes having to search for something a little different can throw up unexpected pleasures. The walk I found (Go4awalkc349)starts from Troutbeck Church, takes around three hours and, if you are into your Wainwrights, takes you up Sour Howes and Sallows. You can find the route here. Lakeland history is explored as the path begins by heading up the old Longmire Road. Road now being somewhat of a misnomer as...
read moreFinally, Fetlar and Friday
Almost the last Shetland post – I am back home now but there was one last Island, Fetlar and a few more steps along the glorious Spiggie Bay on the SW mainland. Fetlar is a tiny Island, only 4 miles at its longest point. From Lerwick 40 miles or so and two ferry crossings. But more blue skies and fabulous coastlines. Obligatory coffee stop at the cafe/post office/shop began our visit. We had discovered that even the buildings are multitasking in the Islands. Then, following the trusty Cicerone Guide yet again, we...
read moreWatching Wildlife
Well worth travelling off the ‘mainland’, for an outsider that seems a bit of a misnomer for the main Island of the Shetland, being it is so small, but then, I am merely from England. The smaller outer Isles are packed full of wildlife and spectacular scenery. We began on Unst. Two ferries north from Lerwick. But all so easy. Quiet roads and ferries run to time. We had not consulted our timetable before setting off but managed to drive straight on to the 9.15 am from mainland to Yell, then on from Yell to Unst. First destination was the RSPB...
read moreCrinkle Cut Cliffs
Venture north and walk a circle from Esha Ness lighthouse (Cicerone Walk 63). Beware of ponies on route, delightful hairy monsters. One precocious little beast tried to eat our car. The stunning coastline began with another horse – drinking. Initially the sandstone sculptures’ prevailed Tiny tarns nestled close to the shore The rocks turned from red to black as the rocks turned to basalt and andesites. The foaming sea coating the rocks with melting meringue. Although the spectacular rock gardens clung on in...
read moreSouthern Shetland
And I could not have been further from the razzmatazz of Jubilee day, London and pouring rain. The seemingly endless day was picture postcard perfect. There was a plan to take a boat trip round Mousa in the afternoon, so we set off south from Lerwick to Sandwick, to walk round one of the recommended cliff spits (grid ref hu436236) and again in Cicerone, walk 33, though you hardly need a book or map. Just a case of following the coast around the narrow headland. It was windy and so we were pretty well wrapped up in windproofs, hats and my new...
read moreSeabirds and Seals
Were the highlights of the day. Wonderful boat tour round Bressay and Noss Islands. Highly recommended. The sandstone cliffs have been moulded by the wind and the weather for thousands of years into dramatic and beautiful sculptures. The boat took us into caves to see jellyfish and shellfish. We tasted seaweed and visited the high rise homes of the gannet colonies. Seals watched us idally, warming themselves in the tepid northern sunshine. Skua the eagles among seabirds, swooped in, making sure there was no food on...
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