Thursday 21 April 2016

Place Fell and Boredale

It may have escaped your notice, but there hasn't been a of of fell walking of late. It's incredible how quickly your fitness drops off, so we decided on a  nice gentle way up and a nice gentle way down today. 

We parked at Sandwick but instead of going straight up the front of Sleet Fell, we opted for a 'round the back' route

It doesn't matter where you go round here, the views are always amazing. Ullswater really is the best of the lakes.

The Coast guar does a spot of training doing a fly by with the Steamer. It was about now that I discovered that my camera had stopped working. A tad annoying as this was my old camera as my 'big' camera had gone away for a spot of warranty repair. Oh well, thank God for modern mobiles! 

By now we were on a less frequented route, over Mortar Crag and The Knight. A cracking route onto Place Fell and very, very quiet. Bliss in fact

We decided to stop for a bite to eat whilst we were in such a lovely, lonely spot

Before arriving onto the skyline of Place Fell. We had got a few ideas in mind as to where to go from here, but in the end, we decided on a long lazy meander down through Boredale.

Heading down towards Boredale Hause - That's Brother's Water

Before turning into Boredale itself

All around us all the way through Boredale were herds of Red Deer. They must be getting close to calving now but they were undeterred by us mere mortals wandering through their quiet valley. We didn't see many folk through here, but it always amazes us how many people don't even notice their presence.
What a cracking walk that turned out to be. Only about 7 miles and very gentle, but a lovely way to get back onto the fells again.

Sunday 17 April 2016

Visiting Pip

We made a trip North to stay with Pip for a few days in Northumberland. It's about 20 years since Pip and I spent any time together - with the exception of one Christening about 12 years ago, which was the only time she and Husband had met.
We arrived on Thursday afternoon and while Pip was at work, the three of us headed over to Beadnell, where Pip grew up.

Breeze didn't know which way to turn when she ran out onto Beadnell Bay

So in true Breeze fashion she spent the first 30 seconds spinning round in circles

And then she ran

and ran

and ran

and ran. It really is the perfect spot for a wild spaniel. Miles and mile of beautiful sand. Such a lovely spot. It is many, many years since I was last here and I had forgotten just how lovely it is.
 On Friday morning while Pip was working, we fulfilled a long held wish to go and visit the Chillingham Wild Cattle. It really was worthwhile too.




On Friday afternoon we headed back to the coast, this time with Pip and her two dogs, Guinness and Dipper. Sadly the weather decided that taking photo's wasn't really appropriate but suffice to say there were three very tired dogs at the end of the day.
Dipper. She had fallen in love with Husband
On Saturday morning, we headed into the Northumberland National Park, just up the road from Pips house. Again the weather wasn't really playing ball so no pictures, but a short clip of Dipper chasing Breeze can be seen on Pip's Facebook page if this link works ..... Dipper in Full Cry

We had a fab time. A really beautiful part of the world in brilliant company. Like minded people and like minded dogs.