Jubilee Weekend

Better late than never, but wasn't it a wonderful weekend! Around here, the bunting is gradually being taken down now and everything feels a little flat, much like the morning after an amazing party. I'm not usually one for such occasions, but even I was drawn into the celebrations and I can't remember the last time I watched so much TV. I really enjoyed the concert, even if some of the performances were a little underwhelming :)

On Thursday morning we went out walking in the Uldale Fells, setting off from the tiny hamlet of Longlands. A gentle 7 mile loop, pausing only to enjoy our picnic lunch beside a small stream (yes, we had a paddle), before making our way back to the car just in time to avoid the rain. Fortunately, it had been a lovely bright morning and we managed to tick another five fells off our Wainwright list. 

There were showers on and off for the rest of the day, but in the evening I was out with friends and there was a huge downpour and the rain was literally bouncing off the pavements. Not ideal for the lighting of the beacon, but we didn't manage to see it anyway. In other news, I wore a dress! Lily's response, 'Mum, that dress is nearly as beautiful as you!' You can see why she is my favourite ;)

On Friday, I woke ridiculously early, especially seeing as I hadn't fallen asleep until the early hours. Undeterred, I made the most of my extra time by throwing on my trainers and heading out for a run, relishing in the peace and quiet of the morning. Later, we enjoyed a short bicycle ride into the village to take a look at the Platinum Jubilee Exhibition, which included details of both worldwide and local notable events from the past 70 years. A lot of work had gone into the displays, which also included many beautiful keepsakes and commemorative items from previous Royal Jubilee celebrations. Some events were lovely to be reminded of, some not so much. 

On the Saturday we had been invited to a celebratory barbecue, which in the end turned out not to be an actual barbecue, which was fine by me - I much prefer a buffet any day, and I'd already made a quiche and some 'Jubilee' gingerbread men to take along with me. It was a lovely afternoon sat out in the sunshine, and on one of the warmest days we have experienced recently. 

On Sunday we rounded off our weekend by going down to the lake. We took our lunch with us and, of course, some more of the gingerbread men. We even enjoyed the company of a mother duck and her four ducklings, which looked incredibly cute, especially when the wake of a larger boat would occasionally wash one of them ashore.

J. X

Taking it Easy

I'm having a relaxed kind of day. This last week I've been up and down with symptoms of a head cold. One day I've felt completely fine, the next I've been snuffly and achy again. Today I'm feeling fine, I hope it lasts. 

The boiler has been given the okay following it's annual service this morning, the washing is blowing gently on the line and I've just taken some freshly baked flapjack out of the oven. Whilst eating my lunch, I managed to finish the book which I'd started reading when we were camping, and out of the window I can now see that the sun is shining and the bird feeder is busy with Blue Tits, Starlings and the occasional Sparrow. The grass could do with cutting. My next job once I've sat down with a coffee, I think. 

It's a good day, and I'm enjoying a week away from work free from pressure or expectation, besides some unhurried mornings and a few good walks. 

These photographs are from last weekend when we hiked from the shores of Thirlmere up to Ullscarf, one of the most central (and quieter) fells in The Lakes, stopping off for a (very) refreshing paddle in Harrop Tarn. The water was so cold! Our walk began with a steep climb up past Dobgill Falls, then along a track through the forest where we reached a gate. Here the route opened up onto the fell side, where to my delight I heard another cuckoo, before continuing to reach another gate overlooking Blea Tarn, where we turned left towards the summit. The summit itself was quite uninspiring, but the views of the surrounding fells more than made up for it. Spending time this way only serves to remind me just how necessary it is to my wellbeing and something I hope to prioritise now that the days are longer and the weather is improving. 

I apologise for there being a delay in publishing some of your comments. I don't know if it is the same for anybody else but I've noticed many comments I've received are being sent to my spam folder and some I've left on other posts simply disappear for some reason. I hope these issues are resolved very soon.

J. X

Camping

 

As I sit here, looking out of the window the sky is grey and the drizzle is persistent. It is a miserable kind of day. Spring seems to be dragging out, and as ever I long for the long hot days of summer. 

This time last week we had just returned from a weekend camping, when thankfully we experienced some much brighter and warmer weather.

For her birthday this year, Lily decided she would very much like to stay in a camping pod. And after a lengthy search online I discovered what appeared to be the perfect site, and not too far away, given that we would need to travel there on the Friday evening once I had finished work. With limited time, it was a bit fraught having to rush around packing up everything we needed, but fortunately I had remembered to write out a comprehensive list of items the day before (who doesn't love a good list?) and we arrived at the site just before the farmer and his wife were ready to sit down for their dinner.

*Our accommodation for the weekend.* 

The site itself was lovely, and I would say even better than I had expected. The pod looked out across fields full of sheep and lambs, with access to the river and a great play area, where Lily spent much of her time with newly made friends. It was so relaxing just to sit and enjoy the views. Rabbits ran in the fields, sparrows flew in and out of the hedgerows, and I even heard my first cuckoo of the year.

On the Saturday morning I awoke nice and early, so I could enjoy my coffee, sat on the bench in front of our pod. I wrapped a blanket around myself, as the air was still cool at that time of the morning but the sky already showed promise of a bright sunny day ahead. We had already planned to walk along the river to Lacy's Caves, then on to the village of Little Salkeld, returning via Long Meg and Her Daughters Stone Circle. About 7miles in all. Then perhaps a swim at the nearby pool in the afternoon.

The caves are made up of five chambers, which were commissioned to be carved by Colonel Lacy, of Salkeld Hall, in the 18th century, allegedly for entertaining guests.

Further along, the path ran alongside the Settle-Carlisle line, where we unintentionally disturbed a deer which had been sleeping in the long grass, close to the track

Long Meg and Her Daughters is a Neolithic stone circle, made up of 69 stones, with a diameter of 350 feet. Long Meg being the tallest at 12 feet high. 

At this point on our walk we had begun to feel rather hot, and so it was a relief to be heading back towards the pod. The rest of our route took us through fields and along wooded tracks, bringing us back alongside the river at the bottom of the site once again. After a delicious lunch of sausages, cooked on our small camping stove, I spent the rest of the afternoon reading my book while Lily played with her friends again. We decided not to go for a swim in the end, maybe another time.

In the evening we were joined by big sister and took a very scenic drive over Hartside, towards the delightful little Market town of Alston, startling another deer on the way, where we enjoyed a fish and chip supper. Eventually returning to the pod to light our campfire, toast some marshmallows and drink hot chocolate, as Lily declared it her, 'Best Birthday ever!' 

J. X

Sunday Sunrise

 

It was another quiet weekend for me. As usual, I spent a lot of the time working my way through any chores I missed during the week. On Saturday morning I went for the weekly shop before catching up with the laundry. As part of my decluttering process, the kitchen cupboards were cleaned and tidied again (I still don't understand why they get into such a state in the first place), then I treated the houseplants to a good watering.

I baked a courgette loaf cake and some flapjack, then replenished the bird feeders. They are limited to four fat balls every other day now, as they are getting through them so quickly - I'm sure those Starlings sit and wait for me each morning. While I was in the garden, I noticed the lemon trees have worryingly lost a few of their leaves. I hope this is only a temporary response to them being moved outdoors and they will be showing positive signs of growth again soon, they have been doing so well until now.

On Sunday morning, I was awake early, even by my standards, as I had arranged to go out for a sunrise walk. I set off at 4.50am, which wasn't quite as difficult as I expected, having prepared my rucksack and clothes the night before. All I needed to do was grab my phone and fill my flask of coffee before leaving the house. My short car journey was very straightforward, the roads being almost completely clear at that time, aside from a deer :)

The morning air was cool and still, which came as a pleasant surprise, as the forecast had been pretty mixed previously and I had expected it to be quite breezy.

As we began our ascent, the sun crept slowly above the skyline, silhouetting the fells of Yoke, Ill Bell and Froswick behind us. The morning was bright and clear and the views over the surrounding fells were stunning, by the time we reached the summit, it was still only 6.30am. It was quiet and peaceful at that time of the morning, the perfect opportunity to sit and enjoy the views while enjoying my coffee. Bliss! Now, if only I could persuade Lily such an early start might be a good idea in future? :)

I was back home by 8am, to enjoy a mug of fresh coffee and a pain au chocolat, as a little treat for my 'efforts'.

In the afternoon, and taking Lily with me this time, we went for much a less strenuous walk through the fields and into the woods. The woodland floor was covered by a carpet of Wild Garlic and Bluebells as far as the eye could see. It is always so lovely there and it is our go-to walk when we just want to get out  for some fresh air without venturing far from home. 

I am still reading everyone's blogs, but for some reason I am unable to leave comments using my phone at the moment, so please bear with me while I try and figure out what the issue may be. Better still, if you know what might be causing the problem, please, please let me know, so that I can fix it.

J. X