Wildlife failure

When I started recording things on this blog, I had a feeling it wouldn't last. A diary has never been my style but I have suprised myself that I have recorded as much as I have. Sadly my BTO records have been a bit of a failure this year and as a result, so too have my wildlife records on here. So from now on, it will all be much more simple! I will continue to record what comes into our garden, but only on a 'new species' basis. As my paper records have remained fairly up to date, I don't think I have missed anything (unless we didn't see it of course!). I suppose I should have counted sheep breeds on my list as lambs spend half their time grazing our lawn. But until recently they have been of the heinz 57 variety. Pleasingly a change of farming practice means we now have proper sheep as neighbours!

Back O' Skidda

Now that we are back to some more reasonable temperatures and Breeze's feet have nicely healed, a walk in the fells seems like a good idea. We have to pick carefully though as we need to get those pads hardened gradually, so we need lots of grass and not too much stone. The best place for that has to be the Uldale Fells. Less than 15 miles from home. Pretty undiscovered (Quiet) and just the right sort of terrain for a dog with delicate paws. We used to bring Hattie here when we were on our hols when her feet started to bother her.

First we headed up Longlands Fell and onto Lowthwaite Fell, with a view across Over Water (right of  picture) and Bassenthwaite (in the distance above Breeze). It was a lovely temperature, with the sun coming and going and a brisk breeze (!)

This area is known as 'Back O' Skidda' because it is (wait for it) behind Skiddaw. Seen here on the skyline

It has always been an area that we have enjoyed, it's reliably quiet, even in the height of the tourist season.

From Lowthwaite Fell we headed across Broad Moss onto Little Sca Fell. Breeze had a quick climb to the top of the cairn, before we headed onto Great Sca Fell

Then it was down hill for a while, and a short incline up to Meal Fell, followed by a descent into Trusmadoor and then the final climb up to Great Cockup, the last grassy mound seen here in the top left of the picture

Then, off piste we headed down to follow the river Ellen from it's source for a short while until we joined the track alongside Longlands Beck to take us back to the car.

Just short of 7 mile, just over 2500 feet of ascent, and four completely intact paws by the end of the day.

Best Mates

Breeze and Jess continue to be the best of mates and as a special treat, Jess came to play for the whole day on Saturday while her Mum was busy showing Cattle at Penrith show.

 They started off in their usual fashion. All teeth and ears.

 This was interspersed with a bit of Cumbrian wrestling

Followed by more leaping and growling

Then a bit more Cumbrian wrestling

But poor old Breeze has had a busy few days, she only got back from the Borders last night, that's 3 days with Tug and Tummel. A mid term breather is needed - meanwhile Jess practices balancing the ball on her head!

Nothing beats a nice soak in the hot tub after a hard game. It would be even better if you didn't pull the plug out though Breeze!

Silky Smooth

Of all the horses I ride, one has always been a bit of a favourite. He's the Lad of the yard. Just as likely to ping off all fours for no apparent reason as he is to go in a straight line, but he's a real cheeky chap with attitude in bucket loads. We've always known he has gears and an engine as well and he's a real bundle of fun in the stable too. He's done pretty well in the past, and he's really gone and proved himself this time.

Planning ahead

One day, we will get round to making a proper patio area on the raised bit by the shed. When we do, we will need to make sure no-one falls off the edge! So, by way of getting ahead of oursleves, we decided to get our friend who does, to make some troughs for us to plant up and act as a bit of a wall. By chance Mum and Dad were up just as they needed planting, so after a trip or two to local nurseries, Mum ably assisted by Dad, did most of the planting up. So it is about time I showed them the results of their efforts.

Heat Wave = Sore Paws

It's 'ot and it's been 'ot for weeks now (it's currently 30.3 in our back garden). It's not easy exercising a lunatic in a heat wave. For a start she doesn't understand that if it's hot, running around at 100mph non-stop isn't a good idea and even if we go where it's shady and there is constant access to water, in no time at all, she has skinned her pads on the hard dry ground. So having learnt the hard way (that's us, she hasn't learnt at all), it's virtually zero exercise while skinned pads heal. Pads that have worn right through all the tough keratinised skin take a while to heal and are obviously prone to infection. So with echos of Hattie - bless her soul; it's bandaged feet for the forseeable and then once healed, we need to try and find some boots that will stay on, so that we can prevent a reoccurrence in the future.

 There is one small consolation for a bandaged pup though. The cardboard tubes that come in the bandages make fab chew toys!

Trying To Keep Cool at Thirlmere

Summer really is here, and it is way too hot to be climbing onto the fells, particularly with a dog who believes that 100mph is normal. We decided to head to Thirlmere where we could do a short walk predominantly in woodland, with plenty of water for her ladyship.

As is now becoming normal, we were joined by Jay and then for a break with tradition, we were meeting James at our local for lunch :-)

There was plenty of opportunity for swimming

And charging through the shallows

as well as another first for Breeze, charging across duck boards with ears flapping and tongue hanging out.

 Then back to base ofr a snooze (Breeze) and a pint to accompany our lunch. Oh and for those who care, it topped 30 degrees in our back garden today!

Mellbreak

With an iffy forecast, we decided to head west where we would hopefully get the brighter weather earlier but if not, we had the option to stay down low. Parking at Loweswater - the best holiday destination in the world - we headed along the shores of Crummock with the clouds down and a fair bit of rain in the air, but the Fell Forecast promised us dry and lifting cloud by midday!

 Once we reached Low Ling Crag, we decided that we would stop for lunch, even if it was still raining. As is by magic, at about 1pm, it stopped. The Fell Forecasters are obviously on French time!

 From there we headed up to Scale Force, so that Jay could add anotherLakeland attraction to her newly established collection

 And then started to head up the southern end of Mellbreak, where Breeze found some treasure

 The forecast turned out to be right if a bit late, and once on the top, we were rewarded with views down Crummock and Buttermere

 As well as many of the other western fells which we know so well.

 Another first for Jay and Breeze. A first trip out in Bracken for Breeze too, and I think she enjoyed it!

 8.5 miles and another lovely walk. It was great to be out in the western fells once more