Friday 8 October 2021

October

Autumn days are here, and not in the way I would like. The weather has been wet and windy, the days grey and gloomy, and now I have a cold!  My shoulders ache, my throat is sore and I feel exhausted.
I am not a happy bunny. But I have been trying to look after myself by fuelling up with nourishing meals, which have included lots of veggies, homemade soups (carrot and coriander is a favourite) and my daily breakfast of porridge and compote. 

Work and school have become routine once again. This time of year can sometimes feel a little flat; the shortening of days and downturn in the weather being a far cry from a carefree summer. The heating is coming on most mornings now and I even wore gloves on my way to work one day this week. I've switched to using my brushed cotton bedding - so cosy! And I've hung up my pumpkin lights above the fireplace to give the living room a warm glow. It is still much too early for me to get excited for Christmas. (I might have begun to squirrel away a few festive items in my hard to reach cupboards.) but I am relieved that we can, at least, look forward to a more traditional celebration this year. 

Last weekend, the persistent heavy rain meant we didn't manage to get out for a walk at all, so it passed by a little too quickly for me and I felt as though I didn't have a break. It might be great for replenishing the reservoirs but I'd rather hope things will improve soon. The previous Sunday, however, we did manage a lovely hike on the fells overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake. To be honest, the initial forecast wasn't great, but although cloudy, it looked like it would stay dry for the morning at least. Hopefully, any rain would hold off until we were making our way back down the fell. 


We set off from the car park by Dodd Wood, and headed north along a pathway through the trees. The leaves are falling now and the woodland had taken on a distinct autumn hue. It was beautiful and ever so quiet in the wood. There was a strong scent of pine needles in the air, the track thickly covered with them, making it feel springy beneath our feet. But it did feel quite spooky at times - it gets very dark where the trees are more dense. 



We emerged from the trees through a wooden gate and onto the bracken covered fell side, where the clear track turned sharply and steeply to continue towards Ullock Pike, then across the ridge to Long Side and finally Carl Side. 


Occasionally we would walk through low cloud, which would then blow over to dramatically reveal the most stunning views across the Lake. We were even treated to a very fleeting view of Skiddaw summit in the opposite direction - one for another day and fairer conditions.



On reaching Carl Side, the wind had picked up, so we decided to wait until we had dropped back down again towards the forest track before eating lunch, which is one of the highlights of a walk for me. Then just as quickly as the anticipated rain had arrived, it cleared away again and we continued our descent down through the forest and back to the car, stopping off on the way to enjoy a delicious coffee at The Old Sawmill Tea room :)

J. X

54 comments:

  1. I like autumn but not this wet and windy weather. Your walk looks lovely especially when you saw that blue sky and wonderful views. I hope you feel better soon, rest and take care xx

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    1. Thank you, Eileen. Only two weeks until the autumn break. X

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  2. Beautiful scenery from your walks! I hope you recover from your cold soon and feel better. All those good soups will surely help!

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    1. Thank you, Bless. There's nothing better than a warming bowl of soup on cooler days. X

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  3. I hope you have a drier weekend and your cold disappears quickly. Your photos are so atmospheric with the amazing low clouds making the scenery look so special. Autumn is much further on in your corner. B x

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    1. The cloud cover was quite dramatic at times, although I wasn't worried as the path was perfectly clear. X

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  4. Oh dear...this cold thingy seems to have travelled far too as well as the storms. I really do love Autumn...usually. xx

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    1. I think the weather is meant to be drier this next week. X

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  5. Lovely photos. It's definitely looking autumnal now with the leaves starting to fall. Hope you feel better soon.

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    1. Thank you, Jo. Yes, the leaves are beginning to fall, we just need some bright sunny days now. X

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  6. We had a chilly few days here last week although I haven't put the heating on yet as the house is still warm enough without it. Yesterday was really nice though and very warm, in fact it was warmer outside than inside my local Asda :) Your photos are great as always and I love the blue sky view over Bassenthwaite :)

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    1. It was very mild again here yesterday. I can't keep up with this changeable weather. X

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  7. That soup looks glorious, and a walk no matter what the weather is really good for spirits isn't it. I do hope you start to feel better soon. xx

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    1. Thank you, Sue. I have a walk planned out for tomorrow - it's forecast to be sunny. X

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  8. Delightful description of your walk, even though it was not purrrfect weather.

    And spooky-in-dense-trees sounds quite perfect for the season. -smile-

    Hope you are feeling well again, very soon.

    Over here, those symptoms would have people staying home, except to rush to get a china/covid test. I take it, you don't do this, where you live.

    Be well sooooon!!!!

    Gentle hugs,
    🍂 🎃 😊 🍁 🌰 🌻 🍂

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    1. Thank you, Babb. Yes, it felt very seasonal in the woods and it was a lovely walk. One I would love to repeat another time.
      I would have needed to get a test if I had a temperature, a cough, or lack of sense taste or smell, but (thankfully) I don't have any of these symptoms. Also, I routinely test twice weekly. Gentle hugs appreciated :) X

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  9. Hello.
    I hope your cold passes quickly, and you can enjoy some drier autumn days. Here in Pennsylvania, October has been bright and sunny, but a bit too warm for my taste! It will be 75 degrees today! Have a cozy weekend!

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    1. Thank you, Billie Jo. I know what you mean about it feeling too warm for the season. I would quite like to wrap up all nice and cosy but I've no need to at the moment. X

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  10. I know what you mean. The sky and days of Autumn are grey-dark and gloomy. Weather definitely affects my health and mood. I'm usually well-equipped with lemons for a sore throat.
    Luckily, our Autumn and Winter months are relatively mild, but with Climate Change at the door, one never knows.

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    1. The greyness can feel so oppressive at times. I much prefer the bright, cold days. X

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  11. I always feel subdued as the season turns, working outdoors more this year has helped but not as much as I anticipated. I was actually quite surprised how short the year feels - not how quickly it went but how short!
    It is definitely soup weather though :)

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    1. I do love soup weather but I miss the summer days of walking barefoot on the grass and swimming in the lake. X

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  12. Hope you are feeling better soon - these colds going round are not nice and last much longer than the 48 hour variety. The floor of the woodland garden at the cottage increases in height each year with the pine needle and leaf drop - I have to keep highering the stepping stones that get burried beneath them!

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    1. Thank you, Vivien. I get coughed and sneezed over on a regular basis, so it was only a matter of time before I caught a cold. I'm only surprised I lasted this long! X

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  13. Hope you are feeling better and the gloriousness of autumn shows her head! I am still in the land of endless summers but dare I say it would love to put my winter woolies on and go for a wander here!
    Have a lovely weekend
    Wren x

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    1. I believe we should be getting some glorious autumn colour this year, because of the drier than average summer. X

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  14. I've probably said before that the majority of my younger walking in the Lake District was done in my Dad's fortnight summer holiday which was invariably in August - the wet month! So we consoled ourselves with being Lesser Wetted Hikers or Greater Wetted Hikers a great deal of the time. Even in the rain lunch always tasted good!

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    1. I'm definitely a fair weather hiker, and I stand in awe of anyone who heads out regardless of the forecast. X

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  15. I love Autumn and your soup looks delish. I would have put my symptoms this week down to a cold too except I had to do a covid PCR test because of looking after my elderly mother, it came back positive! So now i'm isolating even though to me it feels like a head cold.

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    1. Thank you, Maggie. And I'm sorry to read you've had a positive test. It must be such a concern for you with having your mother to care for.
      I hope you are feeling much better soon. Xx

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  16. Oh, your poor thing - lots of colds around here too, thankfully we have missed them so far, hope you're starting to feel better now.

    That's a lovely walk, quite a long slog up to Ullock from Dodd.

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    1. Thank you, Jayne. I'm still feeling rotten but I'm relieved that it's just a regular old cold.
      I really enjoyed this walk. X

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  17. October is a great month for enjoying soup, and carrot and coriander sounds delicious.
    You did well in your walking, lovely photographs you've shared.

    Enjoy the weekend.

    All the best Jan

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  18. It looks so beautiful. I'm sorry to hear that you have been under the weather. You are wise to make healthy, home cooked meals.

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    1. I must admit, I've slipped with the healthy eating over the last few days (I've had more worrying concerns to deal with) and I can feel the difference in my body. I will be trying to make more of an effort from now on. X

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  19. What a beautiful looking walk with springy woodland floor and the smell of pine needles! You look like you are on top of the world on one of your photos. Once I've got over my end of summer strop, I love autumn for its soup (carrot & coriander is my favourite too!), welly walks... and let's not forget pumpkins and toffee apples :) Lulu x

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    1. Beneath the trees, the ground was really springy to walk on, and so peaceful, it felt like I could have been in another world.
      Haha! I'm relieved it's not just me who has a little tantrum at the end of summer :)

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  20. Sorry to hear about your cold, I hope it's much better now. At least we've had a few warmer days this past week. I've been making soups too and lighting candles early evening but I have to say I'm not looking forward to the dark nights. Your photos are lovely as always. Have a peaceful Sunday. Xx

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    1. If I'm being honest, I'm feeling much worse but I hope I will start to improve after today. At least it's just a cold.
      I really need to get myself some candles for the darker evenings. X

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  21. The weather is so up and down at the moment. I never know what to wear! Hope your on the mend. Beautiful photos. :)

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    1. I know what you mean, it was quite warm here at the weekend. X

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  22. Hope you're feeling better Jules. We've all had the lurgy here as well. Sore throats, shivers, temperatures, coughs and colds. There's definitely something going around. I made soup the other day but had a mishap with the chili flakes. Even with a cold it was far too spicy for me to eat. I've gone for the gentler way of getting fresh air and rather than climbing mountains have made sure all the windows have been flung open every day :) xx

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    1. It's like a super-cold! I'm just thankful I don't have anything more serious. Fingers crossed I will start to improve after today and I hope you're all feeling much better now.
      I've had chili flake accidents before now :) It's such a shame when having gone to all that effort. X

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  23. Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that you've got a cold. I hope that lovely looking soup soon sorts it out.
    Your walk looks wonderful, proper spitit lifting. I'm a summer girl, too and feel your pain. I've spent a delicious morning looking at ruined houses for sale in Greece and dreaming of escaping! xxx

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    1. Thank you, Vix. I was hoping the soup would have magic medicinal properties, but sadly that wasn't the case and I'm feeling even worse now.
      I can't wait to read more about your time in Greece. X

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  24. Hello Jules, hope that horrible cold is sent packing very quickly and you are feeling better soon.
    Homemade soups are so comforting and much better than anything shop bought. I may be feeling a soup making session coming on :)
    I think I'm going to enjoy rambling with you, the photos are stunning x

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    1. Thank you, Beverley. Unfortunately, my cold became much worse as the week went on, but I'm slowly on the mend now. Yes, I see a lot of soups being made here during the colder months. Xx

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  25. Haven't done an awful lot of walking lately. Painting is good exercise though is it not! x

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  26. Sorry Jules I was sure I had posted a comment for you. Must be me getting old.

    Have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog, lovely pictures and rambling walk. Soup looks tasty.
    Have a good day x

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    1. My apologies, Beverley. I didn't get an opportunity to publish your lovely comment until just now. X

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  27. Hi,sorry for not visiting you for ages.I have a "NEW" blog now.I seem to get busier as I get older,and am never in.I adore your blog and LOVE your beautiful photos.Do hope you are beginning to feel better.Loving that soup,I always make my own,with Soda Bread yummy.xx

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    1. Thank you, Lee. That's such a lovely thing to say :)
      I'll be over to take a look at your new blog soon. Xx

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