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Loes has kindly invited me to her new house in the Village
of Harwood, just north of Leeds. I arrived less than an
hour after leaving Sheffield, with the prospect of a few
days relaxation and a measure of that Christmas spirit,
plus the chance to explore Harewood itself.
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The weather on Christmas Eve was perhaps the opposite of
the day before, so before I drove an hour north to Harewood
for Christmas I had the chance to join with Jenn and Matt
for a walk out on one of the grit stone "edges"
for which the Peak District is famous.
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Twas the night before Christmas, actually a couple of nights
before Christmas when I had the opportunity to visit Sheffield,
to stay with and exchange Christmas presents with my family.
I was guest of my daughter Jenn and her partner Matt, plus
young Emily of course.
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A great little walk to get out an appreciate more of the
cold weather. I make a break and head up for a walk
up Mellbreak, In the smallest of backpacks are a snack,
a small drink but importantly my winter spikes. These pictures
mark the start of the Valley Christmas Events.
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Another walk in this lovely winter weather, such a change
from the poor weather of Autumn. Loes and I planned
to climb Sale Fell but because of the cloud we head up the
old Mosser Track in the midday sunshine instead.
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After the long wet Autumn the weather systems have changed
and we have a Winter high pressure over the country, bringing
cold winds from the north, clear days and bright, bright
mornings. (Today's walk was an early one and so delightful
I've posted it out of sequence)
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I've managed a few walks with this long established local
walking group. As time goes on people's capabilities
differ and often walks are catagorised A and B, based on
how strenuous they are. Today however the December
Walk was open to all as it was a "Christmas Event"
to round the year off. I join in as one of twenty
walkers.
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With Loes and her friend Lill from Cockermouth, we head
out to the coast for a change and head for Maryport Golf
Club. A nice round walk would include the village
and church of Crosscanonby, which I haven't been to since
2016.
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Today's walk was as a result of the fine skies, but we
got to see more skies than we had bargained for on this
familiar walk. The larch disease is forcing the forestry
guys to fell and cart away thousands of trees and so alter
the views of some of my favourite places.
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A damp day today in the middle of this very changeable
month. We opt for a town walk as part of the day's activities,
but once we leave the tarmac the going under foot gets decidedly
soft and muddy. Plenty of interest however as we meet the
old railway line.
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November has crept around and it is time for a classic
walk up to Castle Crag for the Remembrance Service at the
war memorial at the top. We meet up with friends and
it feels like the years have rolled back and nothing has
changed.
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A shorter walk but with the nice weather we can't stay
at home. As it is the afternoon and the days are shorter
now we opt for a location that has views to the north and
west in order to maximise the sunshine during this very
damp November.
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November lives up to its reputation of being a very wet
month. Wave after wave of low pressure systems barge
across the country after gaining moisture from their journeys
from warmer climes. This year is no exception as the rain
swells the rivers and fills the lakes.
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This poor chap's busy life continued a pace, but I'm not
complaining as it has been a great time. A visit to Newcastle
found me exploring old haunts from fifty years ago, I had
family to stay, the weather changed from good to bad and
back, but the month ended on a real high
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1st October - Greek Flotilla Holiday 2022
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A busy autumn period started with September and hasn't
stopped. Lots of lovely guests enjoying the Summer sunshine,
but by the end of the month Autumn had arrived and skies
had turned cloudy and the wind blustery. Here are
a few pictures from the month's activities.
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Sometime back I said to Chris Howarth to give me a shout
when he walks his last Wainwrights. Chris had his last two
of his "Wainwright 214" to finish but also would
like to see the Eskdale Needle, so we better set off and
get the whole thing up sewn up !
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For this 14th superb edition we have been
looking back at the year to bring you twelve months
of Loweswater pictures and Lakeland scenes. Good
looking, practical for planning your year ahead or to give
as presents . . . and it's on sale now !!
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Final preparations were done, entries sorted and arrangements
made for the 2022 Loweswater Show which was held this week
in the Lorton Valley. The well tested routines fall
into place so let's hope the weather holds for a day
out at this premier Valley Show.
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Tim and Meile, who were over for his sister's wedding Celebrations,
also wanted to see some of Britain and Europe before they
return home to Bogota in Columbia. A few days in the
Lakes would be appreciated and perhaps "a chance to
do a little fellwalking" ?
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Ian, who lives in Bedford captain Tom's village of Marston
Mortaine, has a son who's a commercial pilot, but who also
has shares in a light aircraft. Mark wanted more seat-of-the-pants
flying time and offered to fly his dad to Cumbria so Ian
could go fell walking.
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The walk today starts 12 miles from Cockermouth and just
one mile from Keswick, but there's no point driving past
this sign as the road ends here. I'm in Portinscale with
Loes and we've parked at the old road end, where the suspension
footbridge now crosses the Derwent
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A composite of three walks, two historical and a third
noting a point in time in the valley. A visit
to Egremont Castle on the way back from St Bees was a short
walk that has been waiting to be done for so long. The other
walks were similar but very different in aspect.
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More of a family album this one, so that I can have a record
of the many and varied events this summer. However,
there's some nice scenery in there and a variety of locations,
as well as people. Hopefully it will be of general
interest to both family and friends.
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Two walks, the first up Hen Combe with Stuart and the second,
the following day, with both Hazel and Stuart climbing up
the front of Mellbreak and over to Scale Force waterfall.
Stuart and Hazel were staying at the Kirkstile while they were
here in Loweswater.
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A combination of outings, all rather different, brings
a selection of photos from the weeks after our return from
holiday. Time near Penrith buying a new car meant we walked
in areas that we don't normally travel to. Add two
Village events and the set is complete.
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Loes
and I wanted a walk in a slightly different location today,
so we headed to the coast near Whitehaven. The weather was
overcast and very windy so we decided to walk towards town
rather than towards St Bees lighthouse.
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Loweswatercam
was on location in June and for the first time in ages I
crossed the sea to Europe. After Covid, this was the
first opportunity for her to go back and see her family.
I took the opportunity to join her, share the driving, see
the sights and meet the relations.
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Time
to move forward into summer as I gather all the photos of
non-walks and smaller outings and post them in a sort of
medley of summer activities. In between big walks
and a first holiday abroad for years, I have found many
days of enjoyment through friends I've met.
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A weekend of celebration here in the Valley, to celebrate
the 70th Anniversary
of Queen Elizabeth II as The Head of Great Britain and
the Commonwealth.
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The Loweswater Discussion (Farmers) Group traditionally
meet during the winter months for beer and a conversation.
At this time of
year the group also tries to have a day out in order to
visit someone else's farm and also include a place of general
interest, with a few beers and conversation along the way
of course !
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Today a Cumbria Magazine walking article encourages us
to the countryside around Caldbeck and Hesket Newmarket.
Loes has been here before, but I haven't walked this area
and neither has our third member today, Sheila.
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This is a walk we've done before but in rather different
circumstances. It is chance to maintain long standing friendships
and to revisit familiar places. It is also chance to introduce
Loes to an area she doesn't know in quite so much detail
as our "local guide".
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John had contacted me some time ago as he was holidaying
in the Lakes. He fancied a walk near Keswick to start
the week, before moving down to Langdale to meet regular
fell walking friends there. A meal at the White Horse
afterwards would compliment the day.
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The sun has been shining, we've had some recent rain and
the bluebells in my garden have been in bloom for a week
or so. Conditions should therefore be right to enjoy
the display in the Rannerdale Valley once again this year.
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I had the opportunity to "Walk the Morecambe Bay Sands"
on May 7th this year, something I've wanted to do for such
a long time. Friends of the Lake District announced
that they were organising a Walk so I signed up to take
part and also raise money for a good cause.
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There's a tradition in many parts of the UK to have Scarecrow
Festivals where a village gets together to decorate their
homes and gardens with scarecrows and make-believe models.
Dean Village led the way and organised a weekend of events
covering the four neighbouring hamlets.
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Far, Far away in land across the sea, the north Atlantic
tectonic plates moved and the Cumbrian silt stone crashed
into the volcanics of Borrowdale and the Northern Fells
were born. Millennia later an aeroplane left Canada
and crossed that same sea and brought people to Cumbria
who wanted to climb those fells.
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There are several social groups in the valley, some based
on walking, some based on exploring local history, or of
many other interests. Today two of those interests combined
to provide the opportunity to walk into the 'history' of
the Newlands Valley.
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Another walk with The Mockerkin Mob. This time the
suggestion is to travel to the northern extreme of the county,
in fact the northern extreme of England for a walk through
history. We're promised battles, bird life and Roman remains
on this very different walk.
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Beautiful sunshine finds us on a relatively flat walk up
the Langstrath Valley, but don't underestimate the walk
as the going underfoot is often rocky and the path covered
by river washed stones from millennia past. Some other
brave folk also took a dip in the river !
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On this last full day of Easter, the family all have slightly
different preferences about when and where to climb.
Abi, Cathy and Mark fancied a brisk climb of Grasmoor, the
two lads opted for an early start on the other side of the
valley and Jenna, Matt and I preferred a more gentle climb
and a classic descent from Honister to Buttermere.
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My
granddaughter Abi's other request for a walk this holiday
(apart from Scafell Pike) was to 'do' the Via Ferrata at
Honister. Not everyone fancied the trip so we split
the party and five of us piled in the car for a trip to
the top of the valley.
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The
family, or a significant number of them, are here in Loweswater
over the Easter Break. Abi has stayed on Cathy, three of
her boys plus Mark are here and Jenna and Matt make
up the nine. There's a general desire to return to Rannerdale
and remember the significant one who's missing, Ann.
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Abi
had missed out when her older brother had climbed England's
highest peak. She's staying here in Loweswater for a few
days and when asked what she'd like to climb, Scafell Pike
was the instant response. Living locally I had done it many
times, but there was one significant walking route left
that was still un-climbed by me !
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My niece is over for a few days over the Easter holidays
so I have chance to introduce her to the delights of not
only the fells but also of the coast, as we do a little
sightseeing, explore unseen places and climb our local fell
by the north face !
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Today was such a beautiful day I thought
I would chase the snow with a walk up Hen Comb. By
the time I set off most of it had melted so I changed the
objective of the walk, to climb Gavel Fell, the only one
of the Loweswater group that I hadn't climbed this year.
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Once again my walking companion today is my ex-colleague
Jane from George Fishers who has driven the short distance
from Cockermouth so that we could walk to High Nook Tarn
at Loweswater in the lovely sunshine on offer today.
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Loes suggested a walk out west to explore Longlands Lake
near Cleator Moor. After enjoying the lake we just kept
on walking and ended up exploring the old railway tracks
that encircle Cleator Moor.
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After a wet few days the forecast is for high pressure,
bringing cooler weather but beautiful sunshine to start
the week. These photos are a collection of events
and places that filled my time while I try to get a little
fitter for the impending arrival of the younger generation
over Easter.
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There's no such thing as bad weather, it's just being out
on the wrong day ! The changeable conditions however,
bring their own joys and we need the rain to keep the lakes
topped up. Today the bad weather arrived early, but also
left early which was the bonus.
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Chance to walk with fell walking friends again, members
of the local Mockerkin Mob. A fortnight ago the weather
was fine, the planned route more gentle and there were nineteen
walkers that day. Today the weather forecast was poor, the
route much steeper and the numbers of walkers lower, but
it was still a great day out.
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An invitation to join a different walking group today .
. . the Cockermouth Striders. The walk is more historic
than extensive, more gentle undulations rather than steep
ascents, but it reaches back over time to the Neolithic
the Romans, the Middle Ages, and even has a nice cup of
tea at the modern cafe, in a place visited by Winston Churchill
and ourselves!
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A day over on the west coast with Loes finds us south of
Seascale, in order to explore the Drigg seashore. After
failing to find a local pub for lunch we drove a short distance
inland to Santon Bridge before returning to the coast and
spending an hour exploring the dunes.
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Loes suggested a walk along the fell wall below Whiteside
as somewhere to walk without much altitude to climb. I
prefer not to do out and back walks, so between us we we
devised a route that took us along old valley tracks to
join the wall for the return half.
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Loes and I make an early start for this extended local
walk. Loes is unsure of rocky ground but also unaware
of what lies ahead so it is up to me to judge the route. The
valley offers a gentle but surprisingly tricky climb due
to the erosion after years of flood events, but fortunately
the return is easier.
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With the fine weather showing its face there is the incentive
to make a first cut of the lawn and tidy up all the winter
left-overs. The pond has been cleared of a large quantity
of small-leafed pond weed, the paddock of surplus grass
and the garden raised beds dug.
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An outing with my local fellwalking group the Mockerkin
Mob. Ann and I used to bump into them occasionally when
we were out walking, but today I formally joined with the
group for the first time. Their walk this week is more local
than some so I know the fells well, but even so I walked
some paths today I've never walked before !
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Just a dog walk today, but my local dog walks aren't normally
this long. I set off thinking it was cold and damp
and came home some time later thinking that it wasn't such
a bad day after all. My route was decided as I went
along.
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The forecast before we left home was for a misty start,
a windy middle and a rainy end to the day. What would
be the best time for a walk ? There's no such thing
as bad weather .... so we kit up accordingly and head out
for a walk before lunch.
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Storm Eunice blew through well to the south of Cumbria
and the snow that followed also fell a fair way away from
Loweswater. The forecast for today however was for
a brighter afternoon so Loes and I decided to leave little
to chance and head to the coast to enjoy a low level walk
with loads of interest.
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What started out as a dog walk in a dry spell between Storms
Dudley and Eunice was extended as the weather really wasn't
that bad. The winds up top were strong as expected
but the temperature was mild and even the sun came out,
as did my foot from my boot.
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It wasn't actually a named storm, more of forecasted high
winds and blustery, winter showers. After a domestic morning
full of gardening and some wildlife views, I headed over
to St Bees for an afternoon walk with Loes and to enjoy
the wild seaside !
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To climb or not to climb ... that was the question.
Stephen wanted to re-start his hobby on his first
holiday in the Lakes for many years, so I offered to climb
Mellbreak with him. However the weather had other
ideas, so we opted for a low level circuit of the fell.
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We drive round to the western side of the fells to enjoy
an afternoon walk up Blake Fell. An early lunch should
give us sufficient hours of sunshine as the sunset is noticeably
later now. Loes and I park at Felldyke and head up towards
Cogra Moss.
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Chance to catch up with my fellwalking club friend Ian
Smith as he is up in the Lakes at present. Loes and I head
over to Eskdale and meet him on the road beneath Irton Fell.
Another linear walk to save the road walk and because we
had two cars anyway.
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A linear walk today with Loes and a friend I've known for
years, Diana. She moved over from Sheffield after holidaying
in the Lakes for many years. Today she joined myself
and Loes on a walk to visit St Bega's Church on the shores
of Bassenthwaite Lake.
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The Ratti Railway was closed for winter maintenance but
that doesn't stop us enjoying an extended circular walk
around the village of Boot in Eskdale. Loes and I
pick a low level walk on the map but who knows if we'll
stick to it in this area she knows so well.
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Another fine walk with my ex-colleague and friend Julie
as we venture up the Borrowdale Valley to circumnavigate
Castle Crag. Julie is progressively extending her walking
after recent surgery so we pass on a summit climb in favour
of a more reasonable route today.
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What set out as a dog walk down to Crummock Water became
extended due to the beautiful winter weather. On reaching
Low Ling Crag I could either backtrack to home or become
more adventurous and head up onto High Ling and who knows
where after that !
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A big thanks all who bought a copy from us, to Lee and
Arwen of Lorton Village Shop and to the Kirkstile, the local
hotels and the guest houses who also kindly stocked the
calendars on the run up to Christmas this year.
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