Journeys by hiking, running, cycling and touring
This is something I've flirted with doing for a couple of years now, but with very limited holiday allowance, I didn't really feel it was worth using my (likely) one Lake District trip a year for something so low level. I always said to myself that if I did it, it would be a modified … Continue reading Planning the Cumbria Way
Having a miserable time at work, I couldn’t wait to get away for my annual Lake District trip.  Black Combe and Eskdale were sitting there egging me on, and so I planned a trip to take in the far south west corner of the lakes. Genesis of the Trip I'd been staring at the bottom-left … Continue reading Escape to Eskdale
My three month sabbatical was drawing to a close, but I had time for one last mountain binge. Having failed to achieve a family camp in Langdale during half term due to awful weather, it seemed natural a few weeks later to head to Langdale solo and see what I could do by myself. Monday … Continue reading The Last Hurrah
Well this trip has been a bit of a journey. Â Not quite the journey, either literally or figuratively, that I was aiming for though. I've had some massive lows - on the first day when I realised I'd screwed up big time by travelling too heavy and being over-optimistic with how much I could do … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: The End
Despair I sat on a rock and cried for my mummy. Â The rain was still sheeting down, visibility was zilch and I couldn't be entirely sure where I was - not that I could have seen through my misted up and droplet-covered glasses anyway... Â Ok, maybe I wasn't quite as much in the shit … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Day 9 – Tuesday 24 April
Washed Out The forecast for today was rain all day and I haven't managed to dry my boots from yesterday. Â Using the highly scientific method of comparing the weather outside my window to what it was like yesterday evening, I concluded that today was going to be worse than yesterday, and yesterday I'd only just … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Day 8 – Monday 23 April
A taste of things to come After two nights at the farm at Little Town, it was time to move on and the plan tonight was for a B&B in Keswick. Â But the day dawned cloudy and grey and so the joy of yesterday wasn't looking to be on the cards. Â But it wasn't until … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Day 7 – Sunday 22 April
The Grisedale Horseshoe I awoke to lowish cloud over Causey Pike, which I can see from my bedroom window, and whose nobbles have intrigued me since I first saw them yesterday afternoon. I had second thoughts about my planned walk as the last thing I wanted was to bail out part-way through, especially now that … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Day 6 – Saturday 21 April
Buttermere to Little Town Today's plan, formed in the pub last night and refined as I lay awake listening to the wind and rain, was to have the easiest possible walk over into the Newlands Valley, whilst still gaining some summits. Â So it was quite obvious to pick Robinson and Hindscarth, but I made the … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Day 5 – Friday 20 April
The Crummock Horseshoe It was quite windy last night, but somehow I slept better than Monday night. Â I lay awake listening to the wind and wondering if the tent would stand up to it. Â Which it did. Â When daylight came, I fell asleep and later after a lingering breakfast I found myself running for the … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Day 4 – Thursday 19 April
Buttermere I went to bed last night clean, refreshed and with a new plan formed, that would see me claim 21 peaks between now and Sunday. Â So I woke in a more positive frame of mind and set out round the shops first thing to secure the kit that the whole plan relied upon - … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Day 3 – Wednesday 18 April
Let's start by adding a 5th lesson to last night's list: don't expect a good night's sleep in a tent. Â I know the first night in a strange bed isn't usually great, but you can multiply that by 10 when sleeping in a tent and on a very (too) thin mat. Â I probably did sleep … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Day 2 – Tuesday 17 April
I woke at sunrise which I considered good as that's what is probably going to happen whilst I'm sleeping in the tent. Â After final checks and packing of last minute items I set off. Â The first thing I noticed as I walked down the road to the station was that I somehow must have left … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Day 1 – Monday 16 April
After the week in the Peak District, I've spent the last few days having a "normal" family weekend and spent some time planning my Lake District trip, which starts tomorrow. I made an overall map to chart all 114 peaks so that I can visualise the route and plan accommodation etc. Â But having done this, … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Planning
This was my first solo trip to the Lake District and little did I realise how significant it would be or how many subsequent trips would follow. It's only in hindsight that these things come into perspective.The PlanThe previous weekend I was sitting at home, my parents were around and I'd just had a really … Continue reading Ambleside Ambles