Wheeling along the Bridleways

Looking up the Grizedale Valley.

Today was the last day of my holidays; tomorrow I return to the hectic world of retail, and to top it off the weather was on form. We headed out into the Lake District National Park, leaving the car at Patterdale and headed up the Grizedale Valley, on a recommendation from our good friends Ruth and Richard Irons.

At the head of the Grizedale Valley with Nethermost Pike, Eagle Crag and Dollywagon Pike behind.

The path on the east of the valley is suitable for a Mountain Buggy so we pushed Phoebe along until it started to narrow and ascend to Grizedale Tarn. However we were treated to some spectacular views of the Helvellyn massif; for the entirety of the walk we were in a natural amphitheater with St Sunday Crag, Dollywagon Pike, High Crag, High and Low Spying How and Bleaberry Crags towering overhead with their snow capped tops glistening in the sun.

Mr Peter Rabbit.

More pictures of this walk and many other walks in January can be found here.

Good lines, stay safe and see you on the wet stuff...
Iain

In Search of the Northern Lights

Yesterday we got back from a short stay in Scotland, on the shores of Loch Lomond, after hearing that there was a chance of seeing the Northern Lights. We had originally started making plans to head for the Isle of Skye, even though the Aurora Borealis had been witnessed as far south as North Yorkshire, which is extremely unusual. However, as the week progressed, the idea of heading to the Isle of Skye, for three days, in the hope of seeing an unpredictable natural event seemed slightly optimistic.

Looking across the Loch from Rowardennan.

However, we still wanted to head north so we settled on a hotel in a small village called Drymen, under the premise that we may still see the Northern Lights, but if we didn't at least we hadn't wasted hours upon hours of a short break driving on a whim. We ended up spending our time exploring the shores of Loch Lomond with Phoebe, either in her pushchair, or on my back, and didn't once see a glimmer of the Aurora Borealis.

Looking down on Loch Lomond some where near Toll a' Bhruit.

Ben Vorlich.

Phoebe all snugly and warm with a chilling Ben Vorlich behind.

More pictures of the short break can be seen here.

Good lines, stay safe and see you on the wet stuff...
Iain

Some more walking...

Sycamore Gap.

We headed out for a quick walk this afternoon. Instead of making the usual drive south into the Lake District National Park, we headed east, into the Northumberland National Park, for a short walk along Hadrian's Wall.

We started from Steel Rigg and walked east, besides the wall to Sycamore Gap, which was made famous by appearing in the 1991 film, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Peel Crag and Crag Lough.

We've also made some recent additions to our book shelves to accommodate our walking activities with Phoebe. After a recommendation from a work colleague we purchased the two All Terrain Pushchair walking books covering the North Lakes and the South Lakes as well as a book for when Phoebe is that bit bigger and is navigating her way through the fells.

More pictures of all of January's walks can be found here.

Good lines, stay safe and see you on the wet stuff...
Iain

Some more walking...

Parked up in Whinlatter Forest with Skiddaw in the background.

The weather did hold out until today so the three of us headed to Whinlatter Forest Park, where I used to work, so that Phoebe could explore the forest trails from the comfort of her pushchair.

To say I had worked in the forest for the past three summers I had not really gone further than the area covered by the Go Ape course, which I am slightly embarrassed by. Whilst working for Go Ape I certainly didn't see the best of the forest; there are some spectacular views out over the Northern Lake District.

More pictures of this walk and the previous two walks can be found here.

Good lines, stay safe and see you on the wet stuff...
Iain

What a difference a week makes...

Letting my vehicle rest.

It's amazing what a difference a week makes; last week it was blowing a gale and absolutely chucking it down. This week there wasn't a cloud in the sky. However, there was the slightest of breezes but when in the sun, it was pleasantly warm, meaning the three of us headed to the hills once again.

Having a wee nap.

On this occasion, we ventured slightly higher up the fells in the hope of having some nice scenery to admire and we weren't disappointed; the crystal clear blue skies allowed us to admire the many peaks of the Lake District's western fells.

Having a bread stick to keep my energy up.

However, we did cheat slightly as our walk started from Watendlath Tarn, meaning the majority of our height was gained whilst sat in a car. Our walk took in Dock Tarn and then, after retracing our steps, headed up Joppelty How allowing us to admire a high ball project that was climbed last year by Carlisle resident Pete Gunn.

Looking down to Watendlath, with Skiddaw in the distance.

It's back to work tomorrow, but I'm off on Monday and supposedly this spell of weather is set to last a little longer so we may be able to get out and about sooner rather than later.

My mummy, daddy and me, obviously.

Good lines, stay safe and see you on the wet stuff...
Iain

Blowing in the Wind

On the path from the New Dungeon Ghyll to the Old Dungeon Ghyll.

The opportunities to get out into the mountains are few and far between at the minute, but this year I am trying to make a conscious effort to resolve this issue. It does mean that I'll have to change the objectives for a days mountain adventure, but the underlying rational for mountain exploration will still be there.

It was all a bit to much work for our little Feebs.

Today the three of us explored Great Langdale's valley floor. From the New Dungeon Ghyll we walked up to the Old Dungeon Ghyll and then on into Mickleden. We eventually turned around and retraced our steps when the driving wind and rain got a bit too much for Phoebe, who soon after fell asleep on my back.

Good lines, stay safe and see you on the wet stuff...
Iain