Lingy Hit with Joan (again!)

We haven't caught up with Joan for a while so to put that right she has joined us for a short walk before supper. Max her rescue collie has a few anxieties and they sometimes manifest themselves on a walk, so it's best not to plan anything too adventurous. He seems to take to Mosedale though so that's where we head, with nothing planned 

 Max is enjoying himself and so are we, so we keep going up to Lingy. There are supposed to be improvements happening as the hut has been taken over by the Mountain Bothys association. From the outside all we can see are some new wires, presumably anchoring it down (it's only been here a hundred years or more)

Inside there are a few more changes

 Most significant is the addition of toilet facilities!

 So, after coffee and a slice of cake, we head down Arm O'Grain

 Catching a good view of the latest evidence that we are surrounded by thoughtless idiots. This was apparently caused by a discarded cigarette.

 Then it's back home for a meal and a rest!

Wildlife in May

It's been a busy time in the garden for the local wildlife and every now and then it coincides with me having either my phone or camera to hand. Here are a few of this months visitors.

Ed and Gerda at the Seaside

Ed and Gerda are over from Holland for two weeks. They had asked if we could go to Silloth with the dogs. We have Molly staying and nearly left her at home. She loves the seaside but we were worried that 5 other dogs would be too much for her to cope with (she is totally blind). In the end we decided to take her but thought we would probably keep her on the lead - she is sometimes happier if she knows you have hold of her. We underestimated her.

To get a true feel for what an amazing dog she is, have a look at these video clips. Sadly I missed filming her best bit, when she was splashing through the sea for ages at full tilt - but you'll get the idea!

You can't take Dutch friends to Silloth without sampling the local delicacies. It was a beautiful day to sit out and eat our fish and chips

Before picking up some freshly caught (this morning) shrimps.

Walla Crag, High Seat and Bleaberry Fell

A bit of Deja Vu as we make our way up Walla Crag for the second time in 2 months. This time Jay is with us and this time we are going a little further

Blencathra

Derwent Water and Bass Lake beyond

Catbells beyond Derwent water (amongst others)

The view up Derwent as we make our way to Ashness

We cross Ashness Gill and the follow up alongside it

Getting up towards the top

Steep in parts

A perfect lunch spot

Immediately after lunch we head up the Stairway To Heaven

On to Dodd (one of the many)

Lots of bouncing through the heather today 

as well as posing on summits

Herdy Ewe and Lamb

The Scafells in the background

Breeze poses on a large rock - but a bit ahead of us

High Seat summit trig point

The top of Bleaberry Fell

Strange place to leave a walking boot, but it makes a nice picture. We can only assume that a one legged man had decided that he wasn't going to carry the other boot any further

Our route back stretches out in front of us

Stairway From Heaven?

Poser?

Nearly back at the car - but Breeze wants to go round again

A lovely walk with not too many folk around for such a busy area. The biggest challenge for Jeff post op - to be honest it was probably a bit much today, but he made it!