A Time to Reflect

These last few weeks seem to have flown by. A lot has happened and yet much remains the same. Another trip around the sun for me, and time to reflect and re-evaluate. This year was an especially significant year, and also the first birthday on which I didn't receive a message from my dad. He was always awake and up early each day - I wonder who I take after! :) - and would always text a heartfelt 'Happy Birthday!' message appear to my phone first thing in the morning - I think he found it easier to express his feelings this way rather than face to face. And then, on top of that, a lack of recognition from others of what should have been a special day, although expected, was still upsetting.

I suppose I've been feeling a little flat since then. The main reason for my absence in this space has been an opportunity to reach some sort of clarity and bring some calm to my racing mind. And also, as is usual by this point in the summer, I am ready for a return to more structure and rhythm to my days. This happens every year, so I shouldn't be surprised. But even then, I have uncertainty in that I am still waiting for my new working hours to be confirmed. I would like to think this will happen in the next few days :)

On a much more positive note, I have been away on holiday, baked bread for the first time in ages, gathered blackberries and been for lots of lovely walks. But more on these in another post. I just wanted to stop by and say 'Hello!' and explain why I haven't been around much. I hope all is well in your corner. I'm looking forward to stopping by and having a good catch up. 

J. X

Two Years

If you have been reading here for a while now, you might remember this post and this post in which I talked about images I captured of Lily on Latrigg, a small fell just above Keswick. This began way back in 2014 when she was just over a year old and we walked up there together (Actually, Lily was in her carrier for much of it but she still managed to walk the final stretch). Two years later, and during the same walk, I coincidentally took a photograph of her in almost the exact same spot. Since then, it has become a tradition. So every two years we walk up Latrigg and I take a photograph of Lily sat overlooking the lake. The last time was in 2020. I can't think two years have passed since then - and what a couple of years!  

Anyway, last Sunday I thought would be the perfect opportunity to take the latest photograph. It was a beautiful, bright sunny day and there would be the chance of a quiet morning, before The Lakes become overwhelmed with summer visitors. Our early start to the day, meant we could enjoy an almost deserted summit, which on Latrigg is an achievement in itself. I was able to to take the photograph, and we managed to sit for a while taking in the scenery, before more people began to arrive at the viewpoint. There may have also been chocolate :)

Just look how she's grown! It seems like no time at all since our first walk up Latrigg and I remember it well. The day was overcast but warm, and Lily was happily snacking on rice cakes (still a firm favourite), when I took the photograph. 

Heading back down the fell, we passed an increasing number of people out walking and I instantly knew our early start had been the right decision. And as we still had the rest of the morning to do as we pleased, we made our way back through Keswick and down to the lake, where we enjoyed a refreshing paddle, before eating our lunch in the shade of a large tree beside the lake shore.

Before we made our way home again, there was just one more thing I needed to do...

We took a walk through Hope Park to visit the bronze statue and bench dedicated to Max The Miracle Dog. You might remember I met Max and his owner last summer, the evening before the statue was to be unveiled. Since that night, I had always intended to go back and see it for myself, and it really is something special, although nowhere near as special as Max himself, who, very sadly, is no longer with us.

It was a lovely weekend and now I am counting down the days until our summer break. I have a some thoughts on a few things I would like to do, but my focus will be on relaxing, enjoying the unhurried mornings, and I might even pick up my crochet hook!

J. X

Sunny Summer Days

Summer is beginning to fade and although there may be some warm sunny days ahead, there is no doubt autumn is on it's way. It's a while since I've been in this space. This year, more than ever, I felt the need to fully embrace our summer break. The abrupt ending of school back in March, followed by the challenges of home learning, and a whole new way of going about our daily lives had left me more depleted than I realised. And yet, this situation has also made me appreciate (even more) the simple things in life which make me happy. Summer has been different in many ways and even though we haven't travelled very far this year, it still feels as though we've enjoyed a proper holiday.

The garden has been my sanctuary for much of this year and this last month, especially, it's been wonderful to see some results. The apple trees are growing fast and I'll soon need to re-pot them.

The carrots are extra tasty. (After a good wash, of course)

The tomatoes, which were planted a little later than usual, are just beginning to ripen now.

The sweet peas are coming to an end, but throughout the summer they have provided me with some delightful colour on the kitchen windowsill, filling the room with their delicate scent. 

The long sunny days have been blissfully unhurried.

In between the rainy days, the skies have been the bluest of blue with soft wispy clouds.

The little lemon trees are growing fast.

Much of the home grown beetroot has been eaten now, and the rest has been pickled ready to enjoy during the cooler months.

The sourdough starter was a non-starter for me, so I went back to baking bread the way I usually do, using the no-knead recipe. Much more simple and a lot less work : ) I'm glad I gave it a try, however.

Some trips out were more spontaneous than others.

At least I had a swimsuit packed for an unexpected evening dip.

No time to cook dinner, so it had to be a chip supper. A rare treat.

Lakes, rivers, or puddles. Always where there's water. And why I always carry a spare set of clothes.

An early start for a walk up Brock Crags, overlooking Brother's Water.

Looking up Threshthwaite Glen in the early morning sunshine.

Skipping down the fell.

A trip to the beach on this occasion.

Plenty of space to run.

A shaded walk beneath the trees.

Walking uphill again.

A perfect picnic spot looking towards the fells.

Back at the river again, fishing for minnows this time. It had been a few years since I last did this but I hadn't forgotten how.

Beautiful purple heather on Whinlatter

As far as the eye could see.

Looking over towards Skiddaw.

Gathering blackberries.

I've taken a photograph of this field most years. When it turns to gold, for me it indicates the arrival of late summer.

Another early start to climb Hartsop Dodd.

Looking towards Ullswater.

Gray Crag above Pasture Beck. Another beautiful picnic spot. And yes, it did involve a paddle : )

Caudale Moor. 

We collected lots of blackberries. Some are for spiced blackberry vodka, all the rest are in the freezer ready to make jam and compote. 

Hallin Fell. We set off very early for this one, which turned out to be unnecessary, although it did mean we got the summit to ourselves on what was the most beautiful morning. Ullswater looked like a millpond. Our last hurrah to the summer days before autumn term began. 

Lily in the distance.

School started back mid-week and I'm happy to say we're beginning to settle into a routine again. Some changes are taking a little bit of getting used to but I'm surprised at just how quickly we're adjusting.

The nights are beginning to draw in now and there's a chill in the early-rnorning air, but I'm hopeful we'll still enjoy some warm sunshine during these late summer days.

J. X

Making Up for Lost Time

I cant believe it's been almost two weeks since I last posted here but now that the world is beginning to open up more and more, we've been making the most of every opportunity to get outdoors and to teach our legs how to walk uphill once again.

Our first walk was to Harrop Tarn. This is a short but steep climb up a narrow track through woodland, accessed from the shores of Thirlmere. It was lovely and quiet there and once past Dobgill Falls the view opened up onto the tarn where we sat and enjoyed our picnic lunch.

Although the day was quite overcast, the air was warm and still. On a clear day you would be able to see Helvellyn to the east beyond the bridge.

Our route continued on forest track alongside the tarn and back through the trees, down the hillside overlooking Thirlmere.  The fell on the right in the above photograph is Steel Fell, which we climbed the day before lockdown back in March. It feels such a long time ago now.

Time for a quick explore on the shore at Thirlmere before heading for home.

Our second walk up Latrigg was much more familiar, as we have climbed this many times now. This is a very popular little fell with visitors to Keswick, as after just a short climb you are rewarded with beautiful views over both Bassenthwaite and Derwentwater. I was aware that for this reason we would probably encounter many more people on this walk but it actually wasn't as busy as I had been expecting and there was more than enough space to pass everyone quite safely.

And this was the reason I wanted to come here. Some of you may remember my post of two years ago here.

I hope I can continue to do this for as long as possible.

While we were in the area I thought it would be a nice idea to climb Ling Fell. I had noticed this little dome shaped fell earlier in the year when we were walking up Sale Fell (photograph above) and decided it might be worthy of  a visit, and since Latrigg had only been a short walk we wouldn't have any problem in bagging another small summit the same day :)

On the way up. 'So very tired'. Don't be fooled, she can out-walk me any day and usually does.

View from the summit, overlooking Sale Fell with Bassenthwaite beyond.

We even made it to the sea again. A lovely walk around a nature reserve and a very happy time spent poking about in rockpools.

J. X