Whinlatter

Wednesday, 20th September

Headache has lifted for first time since Saturday. Went for a short walk around Whinlatter. Started to rain as I was coming back to the Centre. Stopped for coffee and a cake. Good to get out in the green after being, 'in' for so long.

We have arrived.

Ricky's Flat.

York St. John

Sunday, 17th September

Well, this is it. Left Ricky in what will be his new home for the next year and drove back in tears. All of us in tears: Marcus and me sniffling in the front of the car and Jess in the back. Took Ricky's stuff to the Halls, got his key and then went food shopping in Sainsbury's. Ricky says he misses the hills already.

York

Saturday, 16th September

Drove down to Kirkby to pick up Jess then on to York. Head came on on the way and is bad. Met Ricky outside York Minster. He looked tired and stressed but pleased to see us all. Gave Ricky and Jess the best room in the B&B and we retired to the small twin-beeded room along the corridor. Walked round York. Jess and I fell in love with the doll shop. Had a meal in a pub. and an amazing milk-shake in a shop that makes them with almost anything edible.

Another pub. in the evening.

Watendlath

Friday, 15th September

Have not been able to get out for ages owing to bad headaches. Walked to Watendlath today though, via the path by Lordore Falls. Once I'd reached the tarn I decided I wanted to go down to Rosthwaite as I haven't done that walk for years and it is one of my favourite.

Walked up to the Jopplety How Ridge and looked down on Borrowdale in the sunshine. Then I played U2's Kite and thought of Ricky and cried and cried . . .

Ricky Leaves Home

Thursday, 14th September

Today my son leaves home for Uni in York. Drove him to the train station. Can't believe he will never live with me again. Am glad for him but so sad for me. We live in a rare situation where our son is one of our best friends.

Will see him again soon - Saturday, when we take down all his stuff.

Saturday

Saturday, 2nd September

Dad & Joan leave: Ricky & Jess return. Had phone call just after lunch, asking to be collected. It has rained non-stop since we left them.

Off we go. (picture taken by Clive)

At the campsite. (picutre taken by Clive)

We get them there at least. (Picture taken by Clive)

In at last. (picture taken by Clive)

River Derwent in the rain, near campsite. (picture taken by Clive)

Ricky & Jess go Camping

Friday, 2nd September

Ricky & Jess planned a camping trip to Grange - and would I take them and help them carry their stuff?

We had five people plus camping gear in my little Ka and the poor car could hardly move. I stopped before Grange because we were having difficulty with the hills. What hills, Marucs asked when I told him? Exactly!

Oh and it was raining.

On the way. (picture taken by Clive)

Into the cave. (picture taken by Clive)

Rydal Cave. (picture taken by Clive)

Ricky on a rock. (picture taken by Clive)

Picnic above the cave. (picture taken by Clive)

Ricky scrambling up the scree. (picture taken by Clive)

Marcus and me by the cave. (picture taken by Clive)

Ricky & Jess. (picture taken by Clive)

Marcus & Me. (picture taken by Clive)

Clive & Joan.

Thursday, 1st September

Took Clive, Joan, Ricky and Jess to Rydal. Walked to the cave and then on to look at Grasmere. Jess had a bad toe and struggled so Ricky took her back to car whilst we walked to the lake. Had a drink in Grasmere and bought gingerbread for everyone.

In the evening we had a meal at the Swinside. Quite funny driving home as I haven't driven in the dark for some time and had difficulty singnalling, dipping and changing gear all at the same time. Ricky & Jess were asleep in the back. Giggled all the way back.

Ricky & Jess show Joan round. (Picture taken by Clive)

Ricky & Jess take Grandparents for a walk. (Picture taken by Clive)

On the way they met a heron. (Picture taken by Clive)

Dad & Joan's Visit - 1

Wednesday, 31st August

Mad rush to cook, clean then collect Marcus's Dad and his wife from the train station.

On the Way.

Herdwick yearling.

The Cave.

The Not So Secret Cave

Thursday, 24th August

Ricky finally consented to go a walk with me seeing as he is leaving home soon. He wanted me to show him, the secret cave in Borrowdale.

Many years ago a man built a spring-loaded door, faced with rock into a small cave in the Langstrath valley. Nearby, in a pile of loose stones he buried a small lever which opened the door. Inside the door he built a raised platform, an oven and a working chimney. He placed a visitors' book and a pen in a tupperware box and then left.

Fact or fiction? Well fact actually. I heard of the cave when I first moved to the Lakes. And I almost found the lever, if it hadn't started to rain and Marcus wanted to go back home. Finally a guy at the pub. where I worked said he would take me.

We have visited a couple of times since but today I wasn't sure of the exact way up and we ended up climbing up the beck. I eventually gave in and sent Ricky off on his own, which was just as well as Ricky reported that the door had been removed, smashed and left lying on the rocks. So I was glad I didn't go because it would have upset me greatly.