A Day of Rest…

I’d had two hard days climbing, so treated myself to a ‘day off’… although I was still up at 7 a.m., and breakfasted as usual at 8a.m.

It was a more overcast, although still dry day, and I had decided to catch the boat from Glenridding, along Lake Ullswater http://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk/ to Howtown about 8 miles away… and walk back… nice day of rest !

I wandered along to catch the 9-45 a.m. boat, along the lake http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ullswater and was soon stood on the bow of the boat, as it cut through the icy wind up the Lake… I didn’t stop too long though, and sheltered in the cabin, as I looked at the views of both shores of the lake… within about 30 minutes we arrived at Howtown , where I got off to start my amble back along the shoreline path to Glenridding… a nice peaceful side of the lake, my fellow walkers soon disappearing out of sight as I stopped and let them all ( 5 of them !) go.

The path wound its way along the shore, up and down over several rocky bluffs and coves, on a nice still day, with distant views across the lake towards the hills , lined with trees packed with berries…

I kept meandering along, taking in the views, stopping eating and relaxing…all too soon though, I’d got back to the top of the lake,passing the Hotel in the distance, as I made my way back to Glenridding, to survey my route for the next day ! and get a nice cake from one of the cafe’s there ..

I’d been out past 3 o’clock, as I wandered back to Patterdale , calling in at St Patrick’s Church http://www.stpatrickspatterdale.org/index.html site of where St Patrick had baptised people years ago, who’d have thought of the connection , of our patron Saint of Ireland ? – Patterdale meaning St Patrick’s Dale !

Then it was back to the Hotel, for a nice evening relaxing, and researching tomorrows routes !

Going Backwards..!!

A slightly overcast morning, and as I pondered over breakfast ( only 3 courses !!), I decided I’d go back up Helvellyn, hoping for some better views… but,  I’d climb it backwards – meaning the other way round to what I’ve normally done !

Lots of people had been ascending via Swirral Edge http://www.lakedistrict-walks.co.uk/Features/Scrambles/Swirral_Edge.html , and not having gone this way, thought I’d check out what it was like to ascend,rather than descend this way – I was not to be disappointed ..

I set off, up along the track I’d found through the woods at the back of the Hotel, into Grisedale , and was soon heading up the icy track towards the ‘hole in the wall’   http://www.petetasker.co.uk/photo_12295927.html  however as I got to it, I just dropped over the wall,

to see the vista of Helvellyn laid out before me, things were looking up, at least I may be able to see something from the top !

I walked across the valley floor above Red Tarn, and traversed up and across the flanks beneath Swirral edge, donned my crampons and continued up to the rocky ascent, looking up at the bulk of Helvellyn above me, with the sun still trying to break through ! It was a fun ascent, quite different to descending, with one or two trick rock spires to clamber up ,around or over ! – no wonder so many fall off the edge here ! 

I was soon on the summit plateau, with reasonable views around me… and not many people around … with views down on my descent route – Striding Edge http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helvellyn#Striding_Edge As I got to the summit, the wind had picked up, so I didn’t hang around

and the ‘accommodation didn’t look too inviting ! even though it was fairly scenic …

As I wandered down to the start of Striding Edge, it stretched out before me, a great view…although the spindrift was splattering me in the face, an icicle facial !

I tripped across the rock spires, really enjoying myself, even taking the time to have a chat with a chap from Patterdale MRT http://mountainrescue.org.uk/, who gave me some recommendations for climbing later ij the week ! Surprised at how different it was …going backwards !!

All too soon, I’d cross the ridge, and was through the hole in the wall, and flashing down to the Hotel !

At least I didn’t fall down the fellside today … and got back to the Hotel 15 minutes quicker than yesterday !

Another great meal at the Hotel tonight, followed by a quiz in the bar… I surprised myself – I even knew lots of the answers !!

Tottering on the Edges !!

Up and about for a late ‘early ‘ breakfast, saw me, kitted up and leaving the hotel for 8-40 am., ready to attack the fearsome Helvellyn, http://www.helvellyn.com/index.html ,via two sharp rock ridges Striding Edge and Swirral Edge , both of which I hoped would be snow/ice bound ( which actually makes them easier) although they look more dangerous…

I was on my own as I traversed the rising path, up to the famous ‘hole in the wall’ , a spot where many head for, and amazingly turn around again, having seen what lies before them, can you believe it !? As I crossed the wall and headed towards the start of Striding edge, the wind was picking up, but not too bad, and conditions underfoot, although snowy, were not too icy.. so I only had my axe in hand as I started further up…

Not for long though, the ground was icing over, and so crampons out and strapped on, I even had my helmet with me – the ‘fell top assessor’ had warned of serious ice snow banks at either end of Helvellyn ( and 2 people had been killed on it in the last week !) – although I felt slightly ‘overdressed’ !!

I hadn’t seen a single person all morning, however two local men appeared behind me as I tottered along Striding Edge, I was to remain around these two for the rest of the climb…

I continued across the top of the jagged rocks, unfortunately as you may see, the mist was down, so the spectacular views I had been hoping for …were not to be ! Even with a fierce wind blowing into my face, the cloud remained all the time I was on the high tops

At the conclusion of Striding Edge, whilst the other two were struggling down a rock chimney, either too much, or not enough snow/ice ( like British Rail !), I popped down another way, and surprised them as they exited to find me already there !

It was then the ‘danger’ area, which to me, was no real danger, just a slog up the final headwall, and out onto the top of the Helvellyn plateau, with mist all around, although I had a brief 10 second glimpse of blue skies, as the view quickly came in… and out again !

I didn’t hang about on the top, in the fierce wind, and carried on, over the plateau, to the next ‘danger area’, and swiftly dropped down the snowy exit onto Swirral edge, and again along rocky tops… passing many people coming up that way ( may try that tomorrow ?).. I was soon down, passing a guide leading his client on a rope up the edge, and soon was sat down at the side of Red Tarn, for lunch, and gear release !

I then made my way back down to Patterdale, via a new path I’d found, which led straight to the hotel… and a hot bath…ready for an easy evening…

I couldn’t get through to my Grandson Lincoln,however had recorded a video in the middle of Striding Edge, wishing him … ‘Happy Birthday’ , and did manage to email it to him !!

Tomorrow, what to do ?, snow forecast later in the day, poor visibility…much like today !- another high top I think !

To the (even) Chillier North …

It’s winter… the snow is on the ground…so what to do ?

-Go to the Lakes, why not ? (even though I woke to heavy snow at home )

A great forecast for a week of ice cold,snowy weather up in the Lake District, had me booking a ‘soft’ stay in the Patterdale Hotel, in surprise,surprise…Patterdale !, and I headed out from home, in the heavy snow, soon to become fog, as I traversed Greater Manchester, and travelled north… however, as I did so, the fog started to ease, revealing …green fields!!, little or no snow ! Hope I’ve not packed the wrong gear ?

As I headed off the motorway, towards Keswick, I turned on to the Kirkstone Pass – one of the highest in England,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirkstone_Pass with all the warning signs telling of it’s danger…in Winter ! As I drove higher, and higher, the road did indeed become icy, covered in hard snow…but too late, I had to keep going…up and over, past the Kirkstone Pass Inn, and ‘The struggle’ – another road from Keswick, closed due to icy snow…As I saw a car transporter in front of me, with a smashed up sports car on it…I thought…Oh,oh, but by now I was on the ‘downhill’, with views of icy mountains in front of me, classic Lake District winter views, and Ullswater in the distance (2nd biggest Lake ).. Onward and downwards, soon to be in Patterdale, and checking in at the Hotel !http://www.patterdalehotel.co.uk/

I had made the first tricky bit…

It may not have had as much low lying snow as at home, but it was certainly icy…as I found when I wandered around Patterdale, and nearby Glenridding ..

More views around the area, then back to the Hotel, butties made for tomorrows sustenance… and then a wonderful 3 course dinner…I think it should get me up the hills tomorrow…

I’m looking forward to it…are you ??

Starting As I mean to….

Well the New Year is only a few days old…I saw it in stood on the bridge in the Village, watching the fireworks all around, and singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’

already I’ve had a nice quick trip up and around Kinder Scout, taking in the really wild winds on the top, which were actually blowing me over  ( shows how much weight I’ve lost), and then peppering me with hailstones !

 and I’ve had at least a daily few mile walk, in and around where I live…

Today I got my annual ‘stats’ from ‘Map my walk’, showing

Jotown’s WORKOUT SUMMARY FOR 2014

           53

                    122.4

                     828.01

                   82058
Not bad when you realise it doesn’t include anything from the Camino…. so it’s more than double for the year !!

No wonder I was feeling fitter ..on the first Sunday of the New Year, as Tristan + Lincoln came up for me to help them learn to ride their new bikes, so up and down the trail me and their Dad Gavin ran… they seemed to enjoy the mud, and our efforts at keeping them upright … they’ll come mountain biking with me one day… 

So, the day after I thought I’d better have a ride myself, so up I went, over the tops away from home, and towards Rushup Edge and Edale along the rough Pennine Bridleway.. I didn’t do a full loop, stopped at the edge, had a cereal bar, and came back the same way, almost ! Not bad, 18 kms in a couple of hours…clean up and then Decoration removal beckoned…

A quick visit in and out of Manchester the next day, and to today, I thought I’d finish the first week of the Year with another bike ride - a meandering loop from home, down through New Mills, along the canal and back home , before some forecast heavy rain set in…that hadn’t accounted for several mistakes I made ( very unlike me !)… firstly I got a chunk of glass stuck in my front tyre, and then I made the second mistake….I pulled it out….pssssss as the tyre went down- at least it was a picturesque spot for a wheel change… and I was soon on my way home, beating the rain…with just the washing + ironing to do !!, -what a nice start to the year !

Happy 2015

May all our dreams happen !

Settled ??

As the year moved into December I was still getting myself ‘bedded in’, although I was still up and down the country a bit… and still getting lots of ‘reminders’ from my Camino days, even just a shadow on the road…

and lots of chances up and down Kinder Scout to test out my new found camera skills ( shooting Panoramas !) or spotting a good sunrise !

I had a flying weekend visit down to London, staying at Joseph’s, and we went out to a West End Theatre to see my nephew Joseph in ‘Great Britain ’ .. that’s him on the poster behind me !http://greatbritainonstage.com/  Went all over with Thomas and Nicola, and even squeezed in a day at the football, watching Joseph’s beloved Blackburn Rovers …getting beat !

Then it was back home, preparing for Christmas , and keeping up my walks up and over Kinder Scout, and wondering what to do for next year…A little snow just after Christmas helped me to wander, and dream again..

As the year ends, I look back on another great year of travel, experiences, and friends I’ve met.. 6 differring countries visited, 130 days/nights away..lots of walking,riding and driving…Can I do more next year…?

 

 

Of course I can !

See you in 2015 !