Up and Down

Our summer season is flying by and the days are beginning to get noticeably shorter now. Over the last few weeks the weather here has been very changeable and I can't even remember the last time I needed to water the garden. Although we haven't experienced quite the high temperatures as down in the South, the dry sunny days have been perfect for getting up on to the fells and enjoying some of the quieter areas of the Lakes.

Just over a week ago now we climbed Troutbeck Tongue, a small fell in the centre of the Troutbeck valley. We walked along a narrow lane from the middle of the village until we passed close to Troutbeck Park Farm, which was once owned by Beatrix Potter, before our route took us up across a field and on to the lower (quite boggy) slopes of the fell. Fortunately, it was only a short section of the track and we managed to keep our feet dry.

The track up to Hagg Gill. Our path turned up to the left here.

Almost at  the summit with Wansfell Pike in the distance.

Getting higher. Froswick and Ill Bell.

Looking down Troutbeck Valley towards Windermere.

It was a really enjoyable short walk and, as you can see, it was lovely and quiet there. It is so reassuring knowing we can get out without the worry of lots of people gathered together and for the first time in a long time I even enjoyed a drink sat outside the hotel in the village where we started our walk.

Friday had been forecast to be hot and sunny. Yay! So our plan was to set off early to be able to find ourselves a quiet spot on the shores of Ullswater and enjoy a morning paddleboarding. Lily had never done this before but was very excited to give it a try with a bit of support from big sister. It was a lot of fun and I think she's hooked. After a picnic lunch beneath the trees, we set off for home and it wasn't until we were driving towards Glenridding that we realised just how busy it had become and I was so glad we had managed to find a  quiet spot, away from the crowds. 

Earlier this week, we climbed Sour Howes and Sallows. Another two small fells and once again setting off from Troutbeck. We followed the rough Garburn track before crossing over some stiles to reach the lower slopes of Sour Howes,  climbing onwards up the path and enjoying the views back towards Windermere.

Not too far until we were afforded some beautiful views.

The small fell right in the middle of the valley is Troutbeck Tongue which we had climbed last week.

Small clumps of purple heather on the fell and, thankfully, not too boggy this time.

The summit of Sallows.

I hope we might get out again over the weekend but, as is always the case when having spent a lot of time outdoors, there are so many household chores to catch up on and, having been neglected a bit lately, the garden needs a good tidy. The sweet peas are looking a bit bedraggled and some of the sunflowers are long past their best. We've already enjoyed some of our beetroot but I've yet to find out how well the carrots have grown. I might get Lily to pull one out later. The tomatoes haven't done quite as well as I first expected but I'm hopeful we might still get a reasonable crop. 

J. X