This morning, although I woke to the sound of birdsong, outside it is dark and damp and, unfortunately, it is not forecast to improve any time over the weekend. Last week couldn't have been more different, however, as we were treated to bright, frosty days and (occasionally) warm sunshine. The best kind of weather to go walking.
On Saturday we ventured out to a new nature reserve, to have a look around and see just what it was like. I could find very little information about it online and had no idea what to expect, so it was a pleasant surprise to discover a beautiful wooded area with bird hides overlooking several small ponds. Some of the ground was quite bare around the ponds, and it is clearly a work in progress but I'm looking forward to returning and seeing how it develops. We spent a short time in the hides but our interest lay elsewhere this time, as we were hoping to catch a glimpse of the deer which reside in the woods.
Can you just about see them through the trees?
We walked the clear pathways, weaving our way through the trees, which occasionally opened out towards the fields where there were platforms and benches to allow us to relax and enjoy the views. We saw pheasants and rabbits, and it was exciting to have the deer run past us many times, only for them to hide away in a quiet place amongst the trees again.
It felt magical to be the only people in the woods and especially to see the deer (I just wish I was faster with my camera). As we were leaving we enjoyed a chat with the manager of the reserve who had just arrived with his camera, hoping to catch sight of the deer as well. We will definitely be going back in the spring.
The following morning I had plans for a slightly higher walk but was unsure about exactly where to go. I changed my mind several times but by Saturday evening had decided on a gentle climb up Helm Crag, which overlooks the village of Grasmere. I've done this walk on many occasions but this time intended to extend it slightly by including the summit of Gibson Knott. It was perfect weather for the walk and, although the path was sometimes icy, it could be easily avoided and the still air meant that, for once, we could enjoy our picnic lunch at the summit and enjoy the views, then we made our way along the ridge to Gibson Knott before returning to Grasmere along the Far Easedale track.
Helm Crag to the left.
On our ascent looking up the Easedale valley.
Sour Milk Gill in the distance.
Steel Fell to the left. A walk for another day.
Gibson Knott from Helm Crag.
Steel Fell again and the Helvellyn range.
Gibson Knott summit.
Looking back towards Helm Crag from Gibson Knott.
Yet she still has enough energy to climb!
J.X
Such beautiful scenery, the reward for all that walking. How lovely to discover a new nature reserve, it will be interesting to see how it develops, especially through the seasons as I'm sure you'll see different things at different times of the year.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing how the nature reserve changes and develops. It's the first time I've visited one in the early stages. X
DeleteOh Jules, what gorgeous blue sky! I've forgotten what blue sky looks like! Stunning photos as always! Here our walks are either on the beach, at Lytham Hall or just around the neighbourhood, depending on my work shifts and the weather. It's always nice to get out for a walk though; it lifts the mood no end. Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteHaha! Me too, Jane. It's been so gloomy here for what feels like forever. X
DeleteIt's always magical to see deer isn't it? We had a stag cross the road in front of us a few years ago as we drove back from Todmorden late at night. It stopped briefly, turned and looked at us as we approached, then hopped over a fence. Breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteIt really is, Scarlet, although we see them quite regularly here, it was wonderful to see so many together. X
DeleteI think I spied the deer. I love winter walks as there are things to be seen that won’t be visible in the spring when vegetation covers them. Your views are awesome and I enjoyed seeing them.
ReplyDeleteThey were so fast, Arleen. I just wish I could have taken a better photograph. Maybe another time :)
DeleteWow, it's gorgeous! Yes, I can see the deer. We have them here, too. They are so majestic.
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful, Stephenie. I hope I see them again when I return. X
DeleteWell done you - not an easy walk
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat. Try telling that to Lily. She skipped back down the fell! X
DeleteAt least I'm in familiar territory over which I have walked many times: over which I have been a Greater Wetted Hiker. When I used to go on holiday to the Lakes with my family as a youngster we coined the phrase because we were so often Greater or Lesser Wetted Hikers. The concept of not having rain in August was unimaginable. I enjoyed the photos as always and the contre jour photos are very much to my liking.
ReplyDeleteI have previously been a Greater Wetted Hiker (I love that description) but I would much rather walk when it's dry. It's just miserable when it's cold and wet. X
DeleteBeautigul walk....although it would probably kill me....lol.
ReplyDeleteI do wish I had the energy Lily has.
Hugs-x-
So do I, Sheila, so do I! X
DeleteI always enjoy your walk pictures. We got out yesterday, just cleaned our very muddy boots, thick clinging clay. They need scrubbing with water now.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Cleaning boots is not my favourite job but thankfully, on this day, they were OK. X
DeleteI love the first photo but the scenery on the fells is stunning - you certainly had gorgeous weather for your second walk :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Eunice. I loved the silhouettes of the grasses against the sky. X
DeleteThat sounds like a really interesting nature reserve, now I am wondering where it is. Such beautiful blue skies it does make such a difference when you are out on a walk doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see how the nature reserve develops. I'll be sure to take more photographs when I return.
DeleteBlue skies are wonderful but are few and far between at the moment. X
Scotland is sooooooo beautiful..........
ReplyDeleteAnd the names! I love the names!!!!
*•.¸💛¸.•*
Scotland is very beautiful, although these photographs were taken around 40 miles over the border, in the English Lake District. X
DeleteThose skies are amazing. So blue! Just beautiful.
ReplyDeletexx
Blue sky is a treat at this time of year. X
DeleteA new place to visit and watch develop of the year, how exciting. The deer were keen to see who had come to visit them.
ReplyDeleteA lovely blue sky for your walk.
I think the deer were probably curious as to why there was a small child stomping through their wood! :)
DeleteI envy your energy as well as Lily's! It's beautiful countryside, but, I certainly couldn't have gone on that walk! The nature reserve sounds like a wonderful place and, yes, I did see the deer in the photo!
ReplyDeleteI don't know how she does it sometimes, Bless. She more or less skipped back down the fell, then wanted to go to the park! X
DeleteAlways so impressed by your photographs :) Thanks
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm glad you enjoy them. X
DeleteA nature reserve, deer and beautiful views. What a stunning area. Yours walks are always lovely. B x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara. It's a beautiful area for walking. X
DeleteMy goodness breathtaking views, a wonderful reward for all the walking. A delight to see the deer.
ReplyDeleteIt feels good to sit and take in the beautiful views after putting in the effort climbing to the summit. X
DeleteJust wonderful !
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eloise. X
DeleteOh my goodness!
ReplyDeleteThe photos are amazing!
Thank you for taking us along!
Thank you, Billie Jo. It was great to have bright sunny days to enjoy our walks. X
DeleteI love the names of these amazing places you go walking, Jules. They look stunning in your photos! Meg:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Meg. I've never really thought about the names before, I guess we're just used to them here. X
DeleteI hope you enjoyed the walks. X
ReplyDeleteYou live in a beautiful part of our country, Jules! I wish I had some of Lily’s endless energy, haha. It’s lovely to see the deer xx
ReplyDeleteI think we could all do with some of Lily's energy! She loves being outdoors. X
DeleteYes I can see the deer! What a wonderful walk. We have some breathtaking countryside don't we and your family has some amazing energy levels :) xx
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure if the deer would be easy to see from the photograph but we saw them many times on our walk.
DeleteWe really do live in a beautiful part of the world and I'm making it my mission to get out walking more this year. X
Having 'paked' about with this bad back for the majority of January I am now highly envious of the walks you have achieved! The most I have managed is the flat country lane and not much of it at that. Enjoy! x
ReplyDeleteI hope you're beginning to feel better, Jackie. It sounds like you've been in a lot of pain with your back and you've been right to take things easy. X
DeleteHi Jules, well isn't this a nice visit? Beautiful scenery. I've been poking about, garlic pesto yum, shakshuka...we've recently had this...love it. Itchy fingers? Yep. I know that feeling, you want to move the hook...check out J's knit and purl jam she's got some pretty things, she'll walk you through, she is a joy.
ReplyDeleteHi Faith, and welcome. Thank you for that. I'll take a look later. X
Deleteyour photos are photos of pure happiness and joy. Always a pleasure to see, and I'll never stop telling you they are magazine worthy.
ReplyDeleteSorry I've been such a crappy blogging friend, I am trying really hard to make sure I make visits. Time. You know how it goes. xx
Thank you so much, Sadie. I was certainly feeling happy when I took the photographs. We enjoyed some lovely days out and it was so good to feel the warm sun on my face.
DeleteHaha! You most definitely are not. If you're anything like me then you barely have time for yourself, never mind blog visits. X
Fabulous photographs … I'm quite exhausted after that walk! LOL!
ReplyDeleteDidn't Lily do well :)
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. Lily has always been a good walker. X
DeleteOh lovely - bird hides and ponds, right up my street :-). Is it somewhere you think Bill and I might enjoy a visit to?
ReplyDeleteIt would probably be worth a visit but it wouldn't require an overnight stay, unless you had other plans. X
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