Friday 7 August 2020

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

58 comments:

  1. Make use of the good weather this weekend, chores will always wait for later. Paddleboarding sounds fun, I thought Lily would enjoy it, she's fearless. Some beautiful views, although I don't live that far away I've never visited the Lake District but your blog really sells it to me.

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    1. I've been doing a bit of both, Jo, and now the garden is looking much better. X

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  2. We have such a beautiful country that I am baffled why anyone would want to go abroad.

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    1. There are so many beautiful places to visit here. X

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  3. You live in such a beautiful area. We have gone out for nature walks but almost everyplace we go, they are packed with people like never before. More times than not, we are forced to stay in our car and just enjoy the scenery thru the window.

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    1. It does get incredibly busy here, Arleen. Good timing and knowing the quieter areas to visit makes all the difference. X

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  4. Oh how lovely to live where you can see things like this. Beautiful looks like you had a lovely time, slowing down and enjoying simple beautiful things.

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    1. It was as if we'd been on holiday, Faith, but without the usual pile of laundry at the end of the week. X

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  5. Those views are to die for. I shall send an e mail to my friends who live in Windermere telling them to look at your post for possible walking ideas.

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    1. I sometimes can't believe how lucky I am to live here. X

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  6. More good times outdoors and fabulous photos, I love the lakeside ones especially the first one with the tree branch across. As for household chores, my philosophy is 'get outside while you can, you can do the housework when it's raining'! :)

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    1. You are right, as usual, Eunice. And if no one disturbs the dust I'll pretend not to see it. I did a little bit of work in the garden instead. X

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  7. Lovely walks with stunning views. I can well imagine how much fun was had paddleboarding. It's set to be another hot weekend, I'd say enjoy it while you can, chores can wait x

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    1. I made a compromise and began with some gardening. As long as there are clean clothes to wear and food on the table, the dust will have to wait. X

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  8. Looks like you have been enjoying an excellent ‘holiday at home’ and doing extremely well at avoiding all the Muggles and litter.

    If you look at the car park status website anytime from mid-morning onwards it shows just how busy some places are (and where to avoid, but I think, like me, you get out early).
    https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/car-park-status

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    1. It has felt like a holiday, Jayne, and with some good timing and local knowledge it hasn't been too difficult to avoid the crowds.
      The website can be useful but, yes, I'm an early bird :) X

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  9. Who cares about household chores when the weather is nice, I say go out and enjoy it while you can, I hate to think of the colder months and the end of Summer. Your photo's are beautiful! amazing views. Have a lovely weekend. xx

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    1. I think I'll have to go along with the general opinion :) I have made a compromise, however, and done a little bit of gardening. X

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  10. Oh, wow! It looks fantastic, Jules! I love Beatrix Potter. I need to clean up my garden, too. The floors also need mopping. It's wonderful to spend time out in nature, though. I try to find a balance. The tiny gold finches are still visiting my sunflowers...

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    1. I could quite happily live in that farmhouse in the valley :)
      I did a little bit of gardening yesterday and I'm pleased to say it's all looking much better. In the evening I watched the bees on the sunflowers. X

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  11. Sounds like you've been making the most of the sunny, summer days, Jules. Such lovely scenery! Thank you for sharing your days out with us.

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    1. Summer will be over before we know it, Bless, and as the winters here can be long and wet, I try to make the most of the good weather while it lasts. X

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  12. I thought that was Ullswater as I scrolled through the photos, my favourite lake. I am so glad that you found a quiet spot, I bet it was busy last Friday it was so hot wasn't it. I am glad that you have been able to get out and enjoy some lovely walks in our beautiful county.

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    1. Ullswater is one of my favourites too, and there is usually a quiet spot to be found somewhere on the shoreline. We kept lovely and cool by the lake. X

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  13. Jules, you live in such a beautiful area! It's wonderful that you can find those quieter places to surround yourself with nature and fresh air and peace. It must feel so good to hike to the tops and look down at the world below. MegXx

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    1. The views from the fell tops can be stunning on a clear day. X

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  14. What breath taking views!! We loved our daytrips and holidays in the lakes; the lovely walks, the boat trips on the lake, the steam train rides :) You're so lucky to have the lakes on your doorstep. I try and get down to the beach with Ranger when it's quiet, but at the moment town is heaving with holidaymakers. Enjoy your walks. Best, Jane x

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    1. I can't get enough of those views. I think many areas are busy with holidaymakers just now. Half the fun is in avoiding the crowds :)

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  15. Absolutely stunning views, everything is so lush and green! I'm glad you've found some peaceful spots to enjoy and that you're making the most of having lovely weather, I can't bear to waste a moment inside! xxx

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    1. I don't like being stuck indoors for days at a time, so I'll continue to get out while the weather is good. For now, I'll just avert my eyes away from the dust :)

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  16. Well, what can I say? Your photos are always so lovely. Remember this - Lily will grow up with wonderful memories of the times you spent together just enjoying yourselves; she won't recall that household chores sometimes got put on hold!

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  17. Those views really are breath-taking.
    Once again your photographs are so lovely.

    Nice to see Lily enjoying paddle boarding.
    Our youngest grand-daughter tried it recently and she absolutely loved it.

    Enjoy the new week ahead.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Paddle boarding has become very popular. We were going to go again yesterday but the thunderstorms were threatening. X

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  18. Well done on the paddle boarding. I love your walks; my kind of country. Hope the carrots are a good size. Mine are better this year.

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. I love to get out walking, and I'm grateful to have such beautiful countryside here. The carrots have done well. X

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  19. It's pouring with rain here as I write this and thunder is rumbling around so it's lovely to see your beautiful sunshine and gorgeous views. Thanks Jules, you've cheered me up (but set me hankering!). x

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    1. The thunderstorms arrived here last night and I didn't manage to get much sleep, it was so noisy. I thought perhaps you had stopped posting, so it's lovely to see your comment from you. X

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  20. What a lovely setting to go paddle boarding. So glad Lily enjoyed it! A few of my friends do it and absolute love it, generally in the sea though, here. I’m not brave enough, haha x

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    1. It was really beautiful there, Ann, and lovely and quiet. It's more difficult than it looks but at least we didn't need to worry about the tide :)

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  21. Beautiful! It's hard to compare anything to being on water with views like that. Found your blog from Vix.

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    1. Thank you for your visit, Sam. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by some beautiful countryside. X

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  22. The views are staggeringly beautiful. Perhaps even I could write poetry after wandering those hills and dales for a while, meandering along the shores of the lakes. I know I would not lack for inspiration - now talent is another matter entirely!

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    1. I'm exactly the same, David, more often than not I am left speechless by the views. X

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  23. Goodness Jules...what beautiful scenery you have experienced on your walks. Here's to the next one!x

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    1. I've enjoyed quite a few more walks recently. It's good to hear from you, Jackie. X

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  24. Such lovely photographs! Wishing you a wonderful week.

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  25. Just absolutely beautiful! It gives one such a sense of peace and tranquility even just looking at the photos.

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    1. Thank you for your comment, Angela. I feel very blessed to have access to this beautiful countryside. X

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  26. It seems more than a lifetime ago since I was living in Cumbria. Your photos remind me of everything I loved about living in this wonderful part of the country. How I gave it up I'll never know.

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    1. It is a beautiful part of the country, and I recently spent a day in Ulverston. It's a lovely little town, and also where Lily bought her fishing net. :)

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  27. Replies
    1. The Lake District is a beautiful area. X

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  28. I love your love of outdoor life.
    Today it's September, and this morning you could smell autumn in the air. But the sun has come out and it is a glorious day, a day for being outside.
    Hope all is well with you xx

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    1. Thank you, Sadie. That's a lovely thing to say.
      I think we will be transitioning between the seasons for a little while yet, before finally settling into autumn.
      I hope Violet has a positive first week back at school. X

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