A Bit of A Break

Anyone who looks at this blog may notice there has been a bit of a lull in activities of late. It's not entirely down to idleness.

On October 28th I was riding out up the gallops as usual, on what is probably the quietest of the horses that I ever ride. We can all have our off days and (in hindsight we now know) this day was an off day for this little horse - who later turned out to have a back problem.

To cut to the chase, I was flung in the air, did an undoubtedly ungraceful somersault and landed on my sacroilliac. Just below the large part of my back which was nicely protected by a back pad. OUCH.

So after a long saga NHS failings (quite the opposite from our experiences with the NHS thus far), it transpired that I had a total of 6 fractures. 3 involving Lumbar spine L1, L2 and L3 (both L2 and L3 have 2 fractures apiece) and 1 involving Sacral Ala. 

So, whilst I have been progressing steadily throughout the last 15 or so weeks, one of the most painful positions has been sitting. Hence no computer work!

I am now in 'Rehab', getting the very best of care from Sophie at Jack Berry House and doing an enormous number of pilates and hydrotherapy exercises . We have managed the odd 'Fell ' Walk during this time and last week made it up High Pike - my best effort yet (not carrying a pack!!). So with luck and lots of physio, we'll be back to full steam ahead soon.

19th Dec 0.6 mile

Christmas Day on High Rigg 1.15 miles.


14th Jan Askham Fell 1.5 miles


24th Jan Dunmallard - 1.7 miles


14th Feb High Pike - 5 miles



18th Feb - Yearsley Moor (on the way to Rehab) 3.5 miles

Low Cop from Cawdale

No matter what is happening in life, there are some things that can never fail to cheer me up. Seeing the enthusiasm that this little girl has when she first gets the command "GO" always makes me happy.

But as well as being a non stop lunatic, she is also perfect with sheep. We are making our way down Cawdale. A perfect holiday spot, known only to us and Maggie it seems and that's the way we like it ;-)

Never miss an opportunity to pose

We are just about to cross Cawdale Beck

and then make our way up past the sheepwash (thought about you again David!)

To the mine workings where we stop for a coffee

and a pose

Looking back through Cawdale

We leave the mine workings and climb up between two Gills heading for Low Kop

where we turn and make our way towards Haweswater

We are off path again, finding our own route down Willdale

Stopping at a Bield for lunch

Before the gentle descent towards Towtop

Where this guy was busy windrowing bracken ready for baling. It is so good to see it being put to good use whilst also being controlled

Carhullan and Moorahill Farm - where we are parked

Nice gentle 5 miles today, much cooler than our last walk and a bit of rain lately has made conditions much less harsh on the paws - so no boots today!

Castle Crag

Finally some warmer weather has arrived so it's time to put Jeff's fitness to the test. Before everywhere gets crawling with tourists we are going to head into Borrowdale. A bit of a trip down memory lane for me as Castle Crag was a frequent fell of my youth.

We are very lucky to have friends in Grange who are very happy to provide us with all day parking, so we start from there and follow the Allerdale Ramble along Broadslack Gill

A nice way to warm up and get the legs going before the short, sharp climb

Breeze's legs go at about 10 x the rate of ours

She's back and forth and round and round non stop

As we make our way up Castle Crag

It's a steep little fell

With spectacular views across Borrowdale

And across Keswick and Derwentwater to Skiddaw

We had the summit to ourselves - not something that will be very easy to achieve in the coming months

Then we head down the way we came up - Breeze has to stay close as she was creating landslides whilst free running and there were other people on their way up, didn't think they would be too impressed to get buried in slate!

Back on the level and Jeff is feeling OK, so we head on to Seatoller

All that charging around on the slate in dry conditions has caused the usual problems with Breeze's feet - I was kicking myself for not realising and putting her boots on sooner, but thankfully I was carrying them so she had the front ones on for the rest of the day. They don't slow her down one bit. Castle Crag is the rugged bit in the middle behind Breeze.

Or stop her doing anything

Breeze and Jeff have a discussion as to which way to go from here. Jeff wins and we head down towards Seatoller. Breeze was just eyeing up Great Gable!

Spring is further ahead in the valley

A carpet of Celandines as we enter Johnny Wood

Scrambling round the bank as we approach the Youth Hostel

She can't resist a bench

Sorry Breeze, you'll have to sit on the floor, we're having a coffee.

Herdy Lambing is in full swing

Time for a swim in Gowder Dub before the gentle stretch back into Grange

Today feels like a major turning point. The first real spring day and a proper little fell walk. 7 miles, most of them fairly easy but a nice bit of a climb in the middle. That is some achievement for someone who was so very poorly 4 or 5 months ago.