Friday 16 April 2021

April

My break lasted a little longer than I intended, but I've enjoyed a lovely few weeks and it's only really now that I've had the chance to catch my breath. The weather has undoubtedly assisted in lifting my mood. Although it's still fairly cold here, the weather is dry and bright - there's not a cloud in the sky this morning - and I'm loving the much lighter evenings.

A lot of the last two weeks has been spent out and about in the Lakes and it has felt incredibly special to be able to enjoy this time while it has been so much quieter up on the fells. 

At the beginning of the month we went to a nature reserve which, although not far from here, we had never actually visited before. Unfortunately, some sections were closed off because of the restrictions, but it was lovely to take a walk around and I'm certain we will visit again soon. I've never known so many tadpoles in one place before, and I expect there will be plenty more to see before very long.

 

Lily and I made our favourite chocolate egg nests. She doesn't eat cake, so I love that we can embrace this tradition and look forward to it every year. Eating them feels pretty good as well :)









On Good Friday we walked the Dovedale Round which is a horseshoe of five fells which are accessed from the shores of Brothers Water, near Patterdale. It was a beautiful and quiet morning and, while we made our steep ascent, we could hear woodpeckers drumming in the trees nearby. Five summits and seven miles later, of course, Lily insisted on paddling in the lake and we finished eating our lunch in the warm sunshine.




On the Sunday we completed the Easter trail at Allan Bank in Grasmere. Walking through the trees we were lucky enough to catch sight of a woodpecker in the distance and also a young roe deer. Afterwards we had a walk along the path beside the lake and it was nice to see the views of Nab Scar and Heron Pike, which we had walked up in the fog just the week before.  



Two days later saw us walking up Seat Sandal. A small fell to the north of Grasmere, which we climbed by hiking steeply by the side of Raise Beck, before bearing right alongside a broken wall to reach the summit. Here we were rewarded with views for miles over the surrounding central fells and east towards Saint Sunday Crag and Grisedale Tarn but it was incredibly windy. We needed to hunker down in the wind shelter to eat our lunch and we didn't sit around for very long, instead we quickly retraced our steps down alongside the beck, watching out for the huge icicles on our way.



The  following day was a little more restful with a gentle stroll through the woods and some time at the park for Lily, although I may have had a quick turn on the swings :)







Our final fell walk was on a direct ascent from Ambleside to Low and High Pike. Another gloriously sunny day and, thankfully, much less windy than earlier in the week. We passed a few other walkers this time, which was to be expected with the trail being a section of the very popular Fairfield Horseshoe walk. We also passed what appeared to be some very contented highland cows.




Finally,  at the weekend and desperate for some sea air, we took a walk out through the woods and back along the sea shore. It was beautiful and calm, and it was great to see people out in small boats and kayaks enjoying the great weather conditions. The blackthorn blossom is out in abundance here and it looks lovely against the bright blue of the sky.

This week has seen  me back to work and I'm adjusting to my new hours, which I can tell already are working so much better for me. I've also spent some time having a really good clean and sort out in the house. It's looking a lot better already but there is still so much more that needs to be done.

It's been a wonderful few weeks, and a member of school staff even commented to me that Lily appeared as if she'd been on an actual holiday, so I'm counting it as time spent very well indeed.

J. X



















56 comments:

  1. Welcome back :-), xx

    You certainly had some fabulous trips (and weather) during the holidays so fingers crossed that has set the scene for the rest of this year.

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    1. Thank you Jayne :) I was only 'gone' a couple of weeks but it felt like a lot longer. X

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  2. I declare I'd give most of what I own to live in such a place. Our wide open spaces have been replaced with ugly housing developments and strip malls. We cannot take walks in what used to be "the country" areas that were once rice paddies and acres of wooded areas and pastures. I miss the horses and cows and all the birds, deer, raccoons, rabbits, and yes, even the snakes. Our big back yard is my haven but even on the best days the awful stench of scented dryer sheets, smokes from barbecues, cigarette smoke and even marijuana ruin stolen moments on the patio. I fall into you photographs and pretend I'm there. Thank you.

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    1. I couldn't imagine how I would feel if I was unable to access the countryside so readily, so it makes me happy to know you take some pleasure from seeing my photographs. Thank you for your comment. X

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  3. What amazing photos of the lakes and fells, really beautiful. My girls made chocolate nest cakes as well, twice in fact, as they were eaten so quickly by everyone. Glad your new work hours are making life a bit easier. It's a big juggle working when you have children.

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    1. Chocolate nests taste so delicious. I'm not surprised they don't hang around long. :)

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  4. Jules it is almost like a mini holiday just looking at your photographs - lovely weather, glorious fresh air - and to add to it all those delicious egg nests. Yum

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    1. Thank you, Pat. We've enjoyed a wonderful couple of weeks and I've felt very fortunate. X

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  5. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I think the sky has been extra blue recently.

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    1. It has certainly appeared that way. It's been lovely. X

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  6. Great landscape!
    Places definitely worth visiting and taking pictures of them!

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    1. Thank you. Although, I sometimes think I take too many photographs :)

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  7. It looks like you had a lovely time off work and the weather was certainly very kind to you. Lily is braver than me, paddling in that water, it must have been freezing :( Fab photos as always, I love the woolly moo, the view with the sheep and the shot below the tree strung with pompoms but I think my favourite is the first one :)

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    1. That water was freezing, Eunice :) Lily didn't stay in it for very long.
      The photograph with the sheep was taken with wide angle and shows the horseshoe of fells we walked that morning. X

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    2. Just a quick one while I think about it - Linskeldfield Farm camp site will be open for tents from May 17th if you're interested, so far they have full availability up to July 17th apart from bank holidays. I've booked for 10 days in late June/early July so fingers crossed :)

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    3. Thank you for this, Eunice. Lily is very keen to go camping this year, so I'll take a look. X

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  8. You seem to have the perfect life in your beautiful part of the country. Glad things are working out well for you at your job.

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    1. My life is far from perfect, Chris, but the area in which I live comes pretty close :)
      I consider myself very fortunate to live in such a beautiful area. X

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  9. I adore Highland cattle, I have a painting on my wall. You must both be very fit and healthy with all those beautiful walks in such incredible countryside. Good to have you back. Its hard writing stuff when life is still so restricted.

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    1. They are wonderful creatures, aren't they. I'd love to see your painting. These cows were quite happy to lay right beside the path while we walked past. X

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  10. Such beautiful photos, they take my breath away. The weather has been glorious and I'm glad you have enjoyed your time away from work and happy your new hours at work suit you better. Your Easter cakes look delicious and I'm sure they were.

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    1. Thank you, Eileen. I tried to make the most of my time off without overdoing things. We were incredibly lucky with the weather. X

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  11. How beautiful! the scenery just takes your breath away. I'm pleased you and Lily enjoyed your break, those egg nests look yummy! Have a great weekend.

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    1. Thank you, Linda. I stop regularly on our walks just to look at the beautiful views. They really do take your breath away at times. X

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  12. Always love to see your beautiful photos of the Lake District. Easter looks like it was pretty good and you’ve certainly made the most of it. Hopefully we will get up to your corner one day :)

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. It has felt a privilege just being able to get out and enjoy this beautiful area before it becomes busy once more.
      I really hope you get the opportunity to visit again soon. X

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  13. So glad you had that time.
    Such lovely photos!
    Thank you for sharing such beautiful images.
    Have a cozy day.

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    1. Thank you, Billie Jo. It was a much welcome break. X

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  14. Look at those beautiful blue skies! I love that shaggy beastie! xxx

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    1. The weather has been wonderful, we just need it to warm up a bit now. I've encountered a few shaggy beasties in my time, but this was one of the more favourable kinds :)

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  15. It almost feels like I am visiting the Lakes with you. I haven't been in years, we used to camp near Ambleside a lot but somehow we got out of the habit. Campsites up North tend to me more quiet. I loved walking the hills with you. I am glad your new working hours are better for you, so important to get it just right. Have a lovely week x

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    1. It really felt as though we had been on a little holiday, only without the mountain of washing to return home with. It is a beautiful area to visit, especially when it is quiet. X

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  16. It's hard to believe there's anything wrong in the world when I look at your photos Jules. I'm glad your new hours are suiting you better. Cleaning and clearing the house is something I seem to be permanently doing, but I do enjoy the feeling of going through it all properly. And with all those days out in the clean fresh air of the Lakes, no wonder Lily looks like she's been on holiday :) xx

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    1. Those two weeks felt like an escape from it all, Suzanne. I almost had to pinch myself to make sure it wasn't all a dream.
      Keeping on top of the housework can seem like an endless struggle but, with the beautiful weather we're having, at least I'm not having a problem getting the washing dry. X

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  17. I'm so glad to hear that you've had a lovely break and spent your holidays exploring the beautiful countryside, enjoying the sunshine and relaxing. Sounds like you were quite productive getting things done around the house, as well. Enjoy the week ahead, Jules.

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    1. Thank you, Bless. It feels like we've been on a 'proper' holiday but without the expense :)

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  18. everything proves, that you all had a wonderful Time Off!!!!

    🌷🌱🌷

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    1. Thank you, we really did. And I feel so much better for having enjoyed the break. X

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  19. What a nice compliment. It looks and sounds beautiful. I can't wait to return to our lake. You are such a talented writer and photographer.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Stephenie. X

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  20. A WONDERFUL post.

    Your photographs of the lakes and fells are amazing, the scenery so beautiful.
    I like the look of the chocolate nest cakes, they look delicious.
    Aren't the cattle amazing too, great pictures of them.
    So pleased that your new work hours are suiting you well.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. We had such a lovely two weeks and I hope we will have more opportunity to enjoy the Lakes again very soon. X

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  21. So glad you are back and taking us along on your walk. Now if only you could share those treats with us as well!

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    1. Thank you, Susanne. I would love to have shared, but the nests quickly disappeared :)

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  22. wow, your photos of the lakes/fells are fab, it looks glorious. looks like a great time off.

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    1. Thank you. We were very lucky with the weather. X

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  23. You are such avid walkers. I hope you are ticking off those wainwrights. I suspect Lily has nearly done them all. :) Love that you saw contented Highland cows too recently.

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    1. I do like to get out walking, Shazza, and this beautiful area is so accessible that it would be rude not to :)
      We've a (very) long way to go to complete all the Wainwrights but we're having a lot of fun in the meantime. X

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  24. What a fabulous time you've had, and though you've been out and about and done plenty, I bet you feel rested too. Those blue skies, they're enough to lift your mood, aren't they. I wait all through winter for the brighter evenings and sunnier days and they've arrived at last. Making chocolate nests was always an Easter tradition here too, I still make them sometimes even though my chicks have left the nest.

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    1. The weather in itself was enough to help me feel more rested. The days out have been the icing on the cake. X

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  25. The return of the blossom and fluffy clouds...absolute bliss. x

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  26. Beautiful country and photos Jules! All that space to swing around! Those dry stone walls are just wonderful. Glad you & Lily had a relaxing break. Lulu x

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    1. Thank you, Lulu. The wall on the climb to High Pike is quite remarkable. X

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  27. Such wonderful scenery! I just love that highland cow shot :)

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    1. They are beautiful creatures aren't they. X

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