Glenridding Dodd

Ullswater from the summitGlenridding Valley - showing Keldas, Hartsop-above-How and Grey Crag in the distance.

Sheffield Crag from Glenridding Dodd.

Seldom Seen (well now I have) :)

Monday, 30th January

I have been meaning to climb this fell for some time but the ascent from Glenridding looked steep and I was feeling a bit lazy and fancied something a bit more easy-going. I parked at the small car-park near Glencoyne Farm and took the path through the farm onto the cart-track. Past Seldom Seen cottages, which was good because I had never seen then before and wondered what they looked like and then, turning left at the stile, I followed the wall up the fell to the ridge where both paths to Glenridding Dodd and Sheffield Pike could clearly be seen. On the way back I missed the farm and continued on the cart track to the road. This way passed directly under Stybarrow Crag and was far more interesting, pretty and easier to walk than going through the farm. A track alongside the lake took me back to the road and the car-park.

I think this is a walk I might consider taking other people on: it wasn't too high or difficult and had wonderful views from the top.

Another Afternoon Out

Tarn Hows

Tuesday, 16th January

It feels so strange having Marcus come out with me during the week. Usually he would be at work. Today we drove to Tarn Hows and spent a lovely couple of hours walking round the Tarns. We went rambling off into the woods at one point and found another small pool which felt very magical, the sort of place fairies might gather (am thinking of incorporating fairies into the next story I write - perhaps Tarn Hows might provide the setting)?

An Afternoon out - Buttermere

Wednesday, 10th January

It was quite novel for Marcus; going out during the week. We walked round Buttermere on a lovely dry day. The sun shone and everyone we met smiled. Feels like it's going to be a good year for us.

New Year 2007

31st December, 2006 - 1st January, 2007

Went to Lynne's for dinner then on to Diane's for a party. Very pleasant evening. Welcomed in the new year at the pub. Only sad thing for me was having to take Ricky to the train station beforehand. He was going back to York after having coming home for a few days.

Christmas 2006

Sunday, 25th December

We had a quiet Christmas, mostly spent by the fire, eating and watching the T.V. At one point Marcus did ask me if I wanted to go a walk! ! !

A very strange Christmas Eve

Brocken Spectre
Summit of Gavel Fell
Red Pike and Starling Dodd with the Gables and Pillar behind

Tip of Melbreak and Hen Combe swimming through cloud

Grasmoor

Saturday, 24th December

Not everyone's idea of fun it has to be said, but it was different.

Decided to climb Gavel Fell near Loweswater. It was only one fell after all and I was to ascend by a path that I knew, having climbed both of the fells next to it a while ago. It was misty: so misty that you could only see a few yards ahead . . .

I thought I wouldn't get a view, but then I hadn't banked on climbing above the clouds. So there I was looking at the tops of the fells surrounded by a sea of sun-lit cloud. I saw my first Brocken Spectre (my illuminated shadow projected into the mist) and a white bow of cloud - so beautiful it took my breath away. Then I started to come down . . .

. . . and somehow took a wrong turning. By the time I realised my mistake I had descended quite a way and after following a beck for a while, came to steep cliff edge from which there was no way down. I climbed back above the cloud-line again, found a line of fence-posts and followed them down. About to descend again I realised that I was not where I was supposed to be. I knew where I was, but decided that descending through mist on a path-less route which meant crossing and re-crossing a beck after heavy rain, would not be a good idea so once again I climbed back up. By this time I had phoned Marcus and discovered two things: one that it was nearly four p.m. and the sun was about to drop and two, that I had somehow lost my map. I knew what fell I was on however and managed to get Marcus to find another map on-line. Unfortunately the map he found did not have the relevant fences and walls on it so I soon found myself lost on the slopes of the fell after dark trying to find my way through a mass of barbed wire and stones.

At least I knew what direction to keep going in but then came another blow; my torch didn't work. Goodness knows why - I checked it in the autumn ready for the coming dark nights, changed both the batteries and the bulb. So there you are, a catalogue of disasters all occurring on the evening before Christmas. Eventually Marcus called the Mountain Rescue, thinking they might have a more up-to-date map that could help me find the correct route. By the time they phoned me however, Iwas down and in sight of the road having climbed the fences and tearing my new jeans in the process.

Spent over another hour walking along the road by the side of Loweswater to reach the car park where Marcus had gallantly agreed to meet me. Good job he did in the end because having nearly slid off the road over Whinlatter Pass (ice was gathering and the mist was getting worse) I, not being an experienced driver, would have probably tried to go home that way. Marcus suggested we drive to Cockermouth and get back to Keswick on the A66 which we did.

Later, after a nice hot bath and a quick meal prepared by my loving hubby, we went carol singing! Yes I know, hard to believe the two of us were standing in Keswick town square declaring the birth of the Saviour to all - but you know, I like carols and I love singing them. Anyhow near midnight all the Christians went off to masses and we went off to the pub and had a pint.

Despite everything, I still think it was worth it for what I saw above the clouds. Some of the pics. above.

Graduation

With my Mom and Francis.

Wednesday, 13th December

Still quite believe that I now have letters after my name: MA - wow!

Mom came up yesterday and we picked up Franics on route. Lots of pomp and ceremony; trumpets playing from balconies and people walking around in funny hats and gowns etc. It all felt a little bizarre. I guess I'm not used to having such a fuss made about me but there you are: worth a celebration to be sure.

I came as a cat

Ricky came as a bear

Some of our friends

Samhain Party

Saturday, 11th November

Couldn't manage the 31st because Marcus is in the middle of loads of training courses. So here we are, at my favourite festival, with lots of people to share it with. Not sure it went quite as well as the summer party but we have small cottage and it was too dark to spill out into the garden as we did in then. We did manage some fireworks however. I always think we should have fireworks at Samhain instead of the fifth: light up the sky one last time before the deep dark of winter arrives, I say.