Thursday 22 July 2021

Hotter!

With the temperature steadily rising, while I haven't been reading, I've been spending much of the afternoon sat on an inflatable seal in the paddling pool. It seems to be the most effective way of keeping cool at the moment. 

I'm really enjoying my book. It's typical light summer reading for me. Girl meets boy, some sort of obstacle or misunderstanding gets in the way, but they finally get together towards the end of the last chapter. Easy to pick up and put down with minimal concentration required on my part. And, of course, it will no doubt be set in some picturesque little village by the sea :) Perfect. 




Later in the afternoon, we set off to drive into the Lakes. I wasn't convinced it was my best plan to begin with. It was still incredibly hot and then my car got reversed into on the way! Not to worry, no one got hurt and the damage is minimal. Details exchanged, we continued our journey for another mile to the small National Trust car park alongside Blea Tarn, where we enjoyed a walk up Lingmoor Fell, before dropping back down to walk back around the shore of the tarn. Hotter than anticipated, there was some protestation as we climbed the fell but once we had reached the summit, it was downhill all the way, treading carefully along the dry rocky paths and the overgrown bracken. It was a beautiful evening and so very quiet there, which was one advantage of setting off late in the day, and it was lovely to see the Purple Heather beginning to flower. We only passed three other people while we were out walking, one of whom was celebrating his final Wainwright at the summit cairn. Lily and I have a long way to go before we catch up :)

After a short break by the water's edge for some flapjack and a refreshing drink, still hot, and rather dusty by this time, we made our way back to the car, stopping off for chips on the way home. I might also have enjoyed a large glass of red. 🍷

36 comments:

  1. I am very familiar with that narrow little road leading to Blea Tarn - you are braver than me, no way I will drive it until the holidays are over :-)

    So sensible to go out later in the day, I think you are right in that it feels even hotter now than it did yesterday.

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    1. I thought I was being sensible but it was still incredibly hot at that time of day. It was lovely and quiet though, so it was definitely worth it. X

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  2. Loving your cooling Lakeland views. Floating in water and easy reading sounds like a perfect summer activity. B x

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    1. Spending time in the water is the easiest way to keep cool. X

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  3. That sounds like the perfect day, a little light reading, cooling down in the pool, a drive out to stunning scenery. Shame about the bump, just glad that no one was hurt. Hope you get the damage sorted out without too much inconvenience.

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  4. Floating... Perfect way to spend some time, on a hot summer day!!!

    And a light summer read. More perfection. No need for a deep mystery with spooky stuff, in summer. -smile-

    Wonderful that you can traverse such mountains! Keep doing so, forever. And stay flexible.

    I love your glass of wine at evening! Hope you can continue this too. Sad to say, neither of us can enjoy such, at this point. Health rules. Have a second for me, some evening!!!!!! -smile-

    πŸŒΌπŸ‘πŸ’›πŸ‘πŸŒΌ

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    1. I'll try my best to stay flexible. A glass of wine certainly helps :)

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  5. It most definitely is much hotter today, it's been this hot, hot, hot for five days now and I think I'm melting! Ouch for your car being bumped and I'm glad it wasn't too bad. I do love your floating seat.

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    1. We have four inflatables now. The doughnut was a new addition last year :)

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  6. Your pool looks so nice and cool - perfect for these hot days! And your flowers are so pretty. I'd love to know what book you are reading as it sounds like my kind of book. I'm about to finish my current one and will need something new to start. Chips and a glass of red wine sounds like the perfect way to end a great day.

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    1. It's such light and easy reading that I can't even recall the title. I will check later and be sure to let you know.
      The chips were delicious. :)

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  7. Sounds LOVELY WALK AND MAYBE A BIT COOLER HIGHER UP.

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    1. I thought it might have been cooler up there, but as there wasn't much of a breeze, it didn't feel any different. Nevertheless it was very enjoyable and those views were worth getting a bit hot and bothered for. X

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  8. How lovely it sounds perfect apart from the bump! I'm pleased there wasn't much damage and no one got hurt, that scenery is stunning. x

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    1. It was beautiful there and so peaceful, once Lily stopped complaining :)

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  9. Your paddling pool looks very inviting! - My girls are all finished now, last one today, so we went to the beach after school for a swim and an ice cream to celebrate x

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    1. Oh, how lovely. And not a moment too soon.
      Enjoy the summer! X

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  10. I think I need to get myself an inflatable pool and a seat - yours looks lovely, and a great way of keeping cool. Sorry you had a bump, I hope it doesn't take much to make it right. I love your last photo, Blea Tarn looks gorgeous :)

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    1. The pool is a great way of keeping cool in these temperatures - It is for Lily, of course ;)
      My car is already a product of narrow Lake District roads, overhanging hedgerows roads and Lily riding her bike a little too close on occasions, so I'm not sure it's even worth getting it repaired :)

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  11. Sounds like a perfect summer day! Enjoy the sunny, warm days!

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  12. Your last photograph is so lovely, and your glass of wine sounds a good idea.
    I enjoyed a glass of white wine with my salad earlier this evening :)

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. It's the obligatory shot of Blea Tarn with the Langdale Pikes in the background. Lingmoor Fell is the one on the right of the picture. X

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  13. We all need light reading sometimes. I too enjoy reading those simple love stories. :)

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    1. They can be enjoyable. I usually read something similar at Christmas. Similar storyline but set in a village, deep in the English countryside, where it always snows :)

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  14. It sounds like a wonderful day, one way and another. I love the idea of sitting in the paddling pool!
    xx

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    1. Thank you, Joy. It is a great way of keeping cool. X

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  15. Oooh, I could have done with that big paddling pool and inflatable doughnut yesterday! I had to contend with pouring a bottle of luke warm water over m' head whilst fully-loaded-backpack-heatwave-walking the 3 miles back from work :0 Absolutely beautiful lake! Lulu x

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    1. The doughnut was the latest addition to our 'collection' of inflatables. It's my favourite. I hope you've since cooled off. X

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  16. I think you've done this first week of the holidays really well. x

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    1. We've been so fortunate with the weather. X

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  17. The Lake District later on in the day is always a good idea, and it sounds like you had a great time, with the perfect ending.

    When my boys were young we used to pack up a picnic tea, put the inflatable dinghy in the car and set off for Fell Foot Park at tea time. as well as being free to get into after 6pm it was also much quieter with all the day trippers gone. The boys used to love messing about in Windermere with their Dad and I got a quiet couple of hours reading, pausing only to dole out sandwiches and pour drinks.

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    1. Earlier or later in the day seems to be best. It's lovely at Fell Foot. X

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  18. I have spent hot days in The Lakes but, despite our summer holidays there always being in August, heat was rarely the predominant climatic condition! Your photos and descriptions were, as always, wonderful to see and read. I was part of a conversation today in which we were saying how much we enjoyed now that we are old, being reminded of the places of our youth where those places have remained reasonably the same and the memories were happy. That's what I get out of your posts.

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    1. Thank you, Graham. You always say the kindest things. Now, when I'm out on the fells taking photographs, I often find myself thinking 'Graham would like this.'

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