Feeling like Autumn

Dragonflies at the tarn

Sitting quietly at the side of Moss Eccles Tarn near Claife Heights to the West of Windermere, a dragonfly came to sit in the sun on the tip of my boot. I felt very privileged.

These are the 'new' boots which I bought at New Year - looking pretty well worn after just 8 months, but still really comfortable and still waterproof. So I'm relieved (given the price of boots these days) to be able to say that they were a good buy.

This is a little known area, judging by how few people were there, with some tranquil tarns and tremendous views: this one looks towards Crinkle Crags and Bowfell, a destination for later in the week.

Over Stake Pass from Langdale to Langstrathdale

I had wanted to walk from the South lakes to the North, from Langdale to Borrowdale, for ages. There is no road between the two so it's a logistical challenge which, in the end, had to be overcome by a rather expensive taxi as the journey by road is a lot further than on foot, but it was a fantastic experience. It feels different to walk a linear route rather than a circular one, more purposeful somehow, rather than walking for the sake of it.

The views were tremendous in both directions; the photo above looks back down Langdale from Stake Pass. At the top is a curious plateau with lots of moraines (humps of soil and rock left behind by a moving glacier) which make it look a bit like Teletubby Land:

The Scafells were visible to the left as I headed down into Langstrathdale, where there were very few other walkers even at this peak holiday time, even though this is a section of the Cumbria Way long distance path. The view North along the valley looks towards Skiddaw (I think):









Right at the bottom in the valley was a large group of children, perhaps scouts, enjoying swimming and messing around in the clean clear (icy cold) waters of the river. The temptation to cool off hot feet with a paddle was irresistible.










The terrain proved slightly more challenging than expected so the walk ended in Stonethwaite instead of getting all the way along to Borrowdale proper, but a pint in the lovely pub there was ample consolation.

Acers in the Lakes

I don't think of acers as being a typical Lakeland tree,for obvious reasons, but when on top of Loughrigg Fell, it became clear that they're very popular with local residents. Little patches of deep red are visible all over Ambleside and surrounding areas.

Here is one of the biggest and most beautiful, from close up in the garden of the Baptist Church (I think) in Ambleside. For a small tree, it makes a big impact.

New jetty

A new jetty has appeared on a favourite walk along the shore of Windermere. I assume the idea is that bikers can cross the lake by ferry from the visitor centre at Brockhole on the East shore, and ride through the woods without the need for lots of riding on the road. Cyclists, cars and narrow roads are not a good combination, so this seems an excellent idea.

 

It also happens to make a great picnic spot with views of the Fairfield Horseshoe and the Kentmere Round.

Unfortunately, by the summer, the jetty has been covered in barriers and notices saying you can't go on it unless the boat is waiting. The usual excessive health and safety nonsense. Grrr.

Ambleside to Grasmere

This walk over Loughrigg Fell takes in some quintessential Lakeland terrain and scenery without being too lengthy or taxing; I never tire of this view of Grasmere looking roughly North, with Helm Crag/the Lion and the Lamb, in the background:

 

A nice half day's walk to Grasmere heads for the Miller Howe Cafe, a favourite for a late breakfast, lunch or tea. The village itself is not a favourite though, and I can't quite say why. Maybe it's that the tourist business here is much more hotel-focused, and those staying in hotels seem to stay in those hotels leaving the village quite empty in the evenings. It's not that Ambleside has a hugely vibrant nightlife, but there are lots of people out and about which creates a good atmosphere.

Full up at last

Finally the Sutton Reservoir is full up. It has taken a while! Only a month ago, it looked like this:
http://outdoorsinmind.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/blog-post_3.html
Stopped to check it out, and have a stroll, en route between appointments today, bright and crisp, lovely to be out.

At last, return to running

I haven't run for ages. Months, I don't know how many. I have lots of excuses:

1. my knee was hurting when I ran
2. I didn't have time to do the physio exercises I had paid money to have provided to me
3. The weather was too wet/cold
4. I had no time
5. ...

I think I had just got out of the habit. I think of myself as a runner but lately I have been kidding myself. So yesterday morning, when it looked bright and fresh (in between the hailstorms, that is), somehow I remembered that I'm a runner and actually went out and ran. Only for half an hour, pretty slowly, but it wasn't too hard, and nothing hurt, either then or today.

I remembered some things I'd forgotten:

• that I'm always glad when I'm out, however little I wanted to go
• that running is my least painful form of exercise (I hate most forms, especially team games)
• that it gives me time to think, if I want to
• that it also gives me time just to be, outdoors, and not think - maybe more refreshing

More than anything, I find myself musing about how different my intentions and my practice are when it comes to being outdoors. This blog has really clarified that for me, almost a year on from my first post. As in most things, the habit of noticing what's happening provides an impetus for change, and I'll be musing more about that as this blog reaches its first anniversary.

Catkins at dusk

Couldn't resist a walk along country lanes as dusk approached. This tree, with its seasonal crop of catkins, hangs over the River Dane near Swettenham, and when I was last here, the area was mobbed with squealing swallows hunting for flies above the river. A little different today, but it won't be too long before the swallows are back.

Magpies and buds

Glorious blue sky, and on the beech tree, the buds are now russet red, waiting to appear. Frosty this morning, but surely Spring can't be long now. I can't remember a winter I've been so glad to see the back of.

Snowdrops at Rode Hall in Cheshire

Rode Hall is a small stately home which opens especially for its snowdrop walks at this time of year. I'm no expert on snowdrops, in fact they all look pretty much the same to me, but it was an excuse for an outing with family of all ages, and the weather was nice enough (if chilly) to make it a real pleasure.

You can't tell from this photo but it was possible to see herons nesting in the trees on this island in the lake. There's something quite mad about a bird as big as a heron landing in the fragile twigs at the top of a big tree, but they manage it.

Snowdrops in my garden at last!

What a joy to see some flowers in my garden after this, seemingly the most dispiriting winter weather I can ever remember. And I wasn't even flooded.


To see new growth, and of such a cheery kind, each day as I leave my house is so uplifting.

Not all that wet then...

This is a small reservoir which I pass once a month or so. Having a little time spare on this particular day, I decided to check out just how full it was after the winter rains. When I visited last summer, the water levels were quite low.

Amazingly, it was not, as I expected, full to the brim. Judging by the state of the banks, there has been more water at some time in the past. I could hardly believe it, and I really hope this is not a sign that all that water will not avoid threats of hosepips bans in the summer.

The Alsager 5 - as a spectator

Out for a walk before the start of my local race, the Alsager 5, I'm really wistful that creaky knees are preventing me from running at the moment. It was exciting to see the runners making their last minute preparations, the tables of drinks lined up ready at the finish, and the St John Ambulance medics ready to cycle round alongside the runners (never seen that before). Maybe next year...

Outdoors by mistake!

Arriving an hour early (by mistake) for a meeting meant I had an opportunity for a walk. It wasn't long enough to go anywhere but around the town but it was dry and sunny which was a bonus. I feel better balanced and less frantic for it even if it wasn't an exciting location

New boots just had to be walked in

Back home in Cheshire today after two pretty wet days in the Lake District at New Year. Not nearly so tempting to get out but I had new boots to try out and get used to, and a good friend to walk with, as well as a blessed dry morning, so there was plenty to get me outdoors, albeit not much worth taking a photograph of.

The new boots seem perfectly comfortable on such a short walk, I'm hoping they'll prove to be a wise buy...

Wet but wonderful new year walk in the Lake District

31st December, my last chance of 2013 for an outing, and mercifully the deluge which had been around for days (it seemed) lifted for a few hours, making for a pleasant walk from Grasmere. 

Heading out along Easedale Road as if to climb Helm Crag, but turning West to climb up Easedale to the tarn, I met few people in search of New Year's Eve fresh air. 

The views were stunning, the bracken rich bright russet, and the crags dark and ominous above the path. The sturdy and stoic Herdwicks were still up on the fells before lambing.

Easedale Tarn is a lovely spot, not far from the honeypot village of Grasmere with its upmarket hotels, but seemingly a world away. This simple 8 mile walk was the perfect preparation for a big dinner later that evening.

The waterfalls, as so often locally, are named Sour Milk Gill for obvious reasons, and were in spate down the steep hillside, feeding the swollen valley streams below.

 I did carry a paper map but once again I used the OS mapping app on my phone and it worked pretty well, with just a bit of delay shifting to a new area on the map. Carrying a spare phone means I can still make calls even when the mapping uses up most of my main phone's battery, and a phone is much less flappy in strong wind than a paper map!

Unfortunately the wet weather had left the tarn path very boggy and my well worn boots were finally found out as no longer being waterproof. They are fabric boots, low cut for comfort and with a GoreTex lining; they must be at least five years old and have probably lasted much longer than intended, especially being used for all year round walking across rocky ground and in deep snow. I'm rather sad that they've reached the end of their useful life but also quite excited to have a good reason to buy a new pair.

As usual I head first for The Climber's Shop in Ambleside, which has offered good advice in the past. After trying on pretty much everything that seemed vaguely relevant, I settled on a basic pair of Zamberlan leather boots, the Ultra Lite, with GoreTex - almost all boots seem to have it now, and I'm a  fan. It's years since I bought 'proper' leather boots, since the slipper-like feel of fabric boots is so appealing, but these really did feel comfortable right from the box. I walked the Pennine Way in a very similar pair of Zamberlans and I'm hoping these will be as comfortable and as long-lasting.