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.
More than just lakes and mountains!
There is more than just Lakes and Mountains! Something I quoted in my introduction to my blog. I haven’t really justified that statement. But then may be ‘just Lakes and Mountains’ is ok. Then suddenly I have had to have a culture catch up. Prompted by a rerun of Melvin Bragg on ‘In Our Time’, Wordsworth became the pivotal point of a walk. Now that my son is going to study in the US for three years there is a bit of a rush on to catch up on ‘stuff’ he won’t find over there. Two of Wordsworth’s...
read moreWhere would you rather be?
So worshiping the god of retail therapy, washing your car, BBQ or walking the Lakeland ridges. When the temperature has unexpectedly hit 20°c, the sky is clear and the wind has dropped to the merest whisper, well I know my choice, yours would be? The horseshoes really are the most satisfying of walks. After an initial climb up, the fells provide an undulating track which can be enjoyed for several hours with out being too strenuous. The views are spectacular and I love being able to see all around me. The trail wanders ahead...
read moreSo many places to go
Lacking inspiration and surfing the net – found this fun map! 18 countries so far. Hope to make it to at least 19 countries by the end of 2012! Remembered a few more cities – up to 21 – shall have to aim for 25 – I wish… Create your own travel map or travel blog. Great to see comments – (scroll down the page), Receive my posts by Email or click to email . .
read moreA Tourist In Cambridge
As one of the ‘must dos’ on the American visitors trail Cambridge certainly compounds the vision of a land full of quaint little market towns. Many small, independent shops have managed to survive and as well as tea rooms with delectable cakes, both to eat and to look at. There are shops selling everything from clothes for a somewhat gentrified cliental to sweet shops resembling the Harry Potter set. And there is still an outdoor market every day of the week in the square. Browse around for unusual clothes or delicious local food. Each...
read moreSprung Spring
Whenever you go away things change. During my latest trip, winter left and spring arrived. I don’t have to walk the dog in the dark again till next October! This weekend Everything appeared to be up, out and about. I could hardly believe I had managed to catch this Goosander trying to swallow this rather large meal. The tufted ducks were promenading along the canal and the finches were particularly vociferous. Green has been injected into the hedgerows and spring flowers are adding splashes of colour. There is a small wetland area sandwiched...
read moreKentmere
When short of time or there is inclement weather on the higher peaks the south east corner of the Lakes provides some wonderful days out. So when the weather was too good to pack for my imminent ski holiday I set off for Kentmere. Walk 44 of South Lakeland is a comfortable walk along one side of the Kentmere valley, taking in the Ullstone and dropping down to Kentmere head reservoir. The day we walked the sun shone and there were clear views of the horseshoe ahead and back down the valley to the village. But be warned. It was very wet. The...
read moreNormal Service will be Resumed
After a great week of skiing memories and photos remain. Take a look at the slide show or visit my facebook page for even more. Already been caught in a rain storm walking the dog – back to hiking not gliding next weekend. VIEW SLIDE SHOW
read moreGliding up mountains
The luxury of ski lifts. To be gliding up a mountain on a chair rather than hiking. Using the up to cool off rather than the coming down. Thighs burning from downhill rather than uphill. Nothing is quite the right way round. How can it be so enjoyable? Perhaps it has something to do with the clear blue background with the jagged edged mountain tops set against it. Val d’Isere is a little different from my usual stomping ground. Instead of walking over the softer rounded moorland, there is the exhilaration of ski ing down the bowls and...
read moreDramatic Drops and Rocks
Another trip to my favourite B&B in Nidderdale, details here. Luckily for me the owners of Croft House are friends so I get a special ‘deal’ on my B&B. All prepared to consult my newly purchased maps I didn’t even need them. Not only were my meals planned (Indian in Pateley Bridge recommended) but my walk was too. Croft House is situated west of Pateley Bridge and we walked along Guisecliff circling back through Glasshouses. Guisecliff dominates the south side of Nidderdale. It is an impressive escarpment, being the highest and most...
read moreBrunt Knott and Staveley Fell
Brunt Knott and Staveley Fell are part of the dividing moor between Kentmere and Longsleddale. Though close to Kendal and the main arterial roads of the Lake District, they feel quite remote and wild as there are relatively few tracks across, those that are, remain from times when fell ponies and feet were the main form of transport. A single track road leads out of Staveley through Over Staveley towards Park House Farm, OL7 SD4700. The lane is a dead end and narrow but as it is February, we managed to tuck into the hedge sufficiently to...
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