Watermillock Wander - Winter Has Arrived!

We woke up to this this morning!

We had already planned a bit of a walk today. Nothing much, but the first chance we've had for a while to stretch our legs and Breeze is suffering from Cabin Fever.
We stayed local as the ungritted roads (everything within about 3 miles of us) were atrocious. We took the long way round to get to our start to be on the safe side, but in reality we probably had more snow than anywhere else, including the fells!

Climbing up at the back of the Quarry at Parkgate on a beautiful morning

The dying Bracken hides how much snow there is, but it isn't more than about an inch

This is a cracking route for views of Ullswater, here looking down to Glenridding and Patterdale. In the far distance you can see the glint of Brother's Water

And again looking over to Howtown

Blencathra catches the light

Brother's Water just catches the light again, Ullswater is camouflaged on the left of this shot

Happy to be back on the hills

Talking of camouflage

We lost the sun for a while as we climbed and coupled with a fairly strong breeze (the windy type), it was pretty cold up here

We reach Swineside Knott with it's fabulous views of Ullswater and decide to head down to the wall below for our lunch, before picking up Maggie's path across Spying How

Down we go

 These next tow made me smile. If you double click so the pictures open up to full size and then quickly flick backwards and forwards between them, you will get an idea of how Breeze's bottom goes all day. You try flicking backwards and forwards all day and see how your muscles feel!

Nearly back at the car


All those pictures and we only walked about 4.5 miles. But on a day like this with views like this, it's just too hard not to keep clicking away.

And Still It Rains

I know I'm odd, but I just love this kind of weather. It's been siling it down for the past fortnight and now we've had nearly 10 inches since Bonfire night, and as I type it's still rattling on the skylights. We've been for a haircut today. I don't normally take my camera to the hairdressers!

Cald Beck

Whelpo Beck

Priest's Mill

Infant River Caldew

And again

Gilcambon Beck

A few yards from home!

Aira Force

Having had 7.5" of rain in the last 10 days, we haven't really had chance to have a walk of any length. We can't spare more than about an hour this morning, but it seems like the perfect opportunity to pop down the road and have a look at Aira Force. It's been nothing more than a trickle the last few times we've been through; it's a bit different today

And again, with sound!

Aira Beck was impressive all the way up

High Force

Once at the top we headed out into the National Trust land which runs alongside the falls, time for Breeze to let off some steam

Nearly back at the car. We probably only walked about 2 miles, but it was great to be out, the falls were spectacular and it's so close to home we have to pinch ourselves!

Home again

Far from the Madding Crowd!

Motor Museum

After our few days in Lincolnshire, we headed further south to Mum's for a few days in Northamptonshire. Mostly catching up with a few jobs to help Mum and visiting Dad, but on Wednesday we all had a trip out to the Motor Museum at Gaydon.

Back To The Future.................. by coincidence it was back to the future day recently; 21/10/2015. Obviously this was what cars are supposed to look like today!

There is so much to see, a few photos really wouldn't do it justice. They will be closed from the end of November for a couple of months for a complete refurb. We'll have to go again and have another look when they reopen, and as the entry price includes a ticket which is valid for a year then there is a high chance we will!

Walking 'round the Heath and Sally's Party

We head South for a few days in Lincolnshire, partly to join in the celebration of Sal's Big Birthday. Just across the fields from Simon and Sal live David and Celia. I dealt with David for many years during my career with British Sugar and Whoa Betide me if we walk past without calling in!

(L - R) Simon, Sal, Husband, Breeze, David and Celia
The other thing that I am often in trouble with Celia for, is not putting any photos up of our dog walks while we are there, so just for Celia (taken on my phone so sorry about the quality), here are a couple from the rest of that walk.

Later, we headed over to the Finch Hatton Arms for a lovely afternoon. Good food, wine and company, to celebrate Sal's recent birthday.

William (son), Jane (daughter), Sally and Simon