A Wythburn Wander

We're off down to Grasmere today and had thought we would have a walk up Great how on the way - except that United Utilities have closed the path we would have used. So on the suggestion of our friend John (St John of the Vale) we followed one of his regular shorter dog walking routes from Wythburn Church

Heading up as if to climb Helvellyn - except we haven't got much time and it is shortly due to rain, for the rest of the day!

We turn right when we reach the forest road

Cracking views from here

Thirlmere - still suffering from the drought in spite of recent rainfall

Breeze is loving it. Steep banks alongside the track are giving her plenty of mountain goat moments

We hold our breath each time she is hurtling downhill towards a near cliff - she doesn't turn a hair - or slow down

Birkside Gill, this is where we turn down to pick up a path back

More mountain goat moments as we make our way back to the Church

Just time for a quick visit to the church before the heavens open

A lovely gentle 2 miles. Perfect for a stop off on the way to somewhere - thanks John, we'll use this again I'm sure!

Wildlife in July (and a few other pictures)

For quite some time we have had 3 adult Hedgehog's visiting the garden regularly. More recently we have also had one bringing her Hoglet with her. Meet Mrs Piggywinkle and Junior. They come every night at the moment, before dusk.

I hate domestic cats. We have quite a few who visit our garden and this is one of them. This picture is not taken in our garden, but it is just up the road and we know we have weasels at home. Or at least we did have.

July is a busy month for us with Skelton show taking up a lot of time in the first week. Breeze enjoys the days spent setting it up

Bertie and Dougal were both quite smitten

One morning I was on yard Duties - Pod seemed to think I was a bit early

But so did Socks!

Lazy pair

And one more of Breeze and her admirers at the show field

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!

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.

Walking Without InJuns

For a few weeks now we've had today penciled in as a possible day to 'Walk With Injuns' again with Joan. However - there is a bit of a problem! Joan has just taken on a new dog. Max a rescue Collie. Max has been with Joan for a week roughly, and he is proving to be a lovely dog and an ideal companion for Joan in every way bar one. He doesn't like going for a walk!

Poor lad probably never has been for a walk. Whilst he has obviously been loved and well looked after, he is a failed working dog and has been in a few different places since then. Probably always just having the run of a yard but not going for a walk.

Anyhow, to cut a long story a bit shorter, we decided to just go for a potter up Mosedale and see how we got on

Max seems very interested in what Breeze is up to. Infact it seems to have taken his mind of his anxiety. This is the first walk that he hasn't just laid down when Joan has set off. He is actually pretty enthusiastic today

And he certainly loves water

We meandered (well Breeze charged but the rest of us were a little more sedate) along the Cumbria Way to the sheepfold where we sat for a coffee. Max seems to be enjoying himself today and seems quite relaxed

In fact, I seem to be quite popular all of a sudden

We truned round at the sheepfold as it's getting towards early evening. Instead of our now customary Indian, we are having a BBQ tonight so that Max isn't left in an unfamiliar house without Joan. This is the first time she has taken him to someone elses house and with his recent past, it must have crossed his mind that she might leave him with us.

I think he would actually quite like to join in, but one step at a time!

The sun catches Skiddaw house as we make our way back to the car

A nice gentle introduction for Max who seemed to take it all in his stride. I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of him as he settles into his new life. Lucky boy!

High Rigg with Ed and Gerda

The walk we planned last week, but postponed as Ed hurt his back and the weather wasn't brilliant either. Ed's back is better and so is the weather!

We started the walk with a coffee stop! St John's in the Vale, a bench in the Churchyard which was conveniently both in the sunshine and out of the breeze

Then just a little way up the road we start the short but steep climb

Donna Summer and Breeze and pleased to be out and have a play

Breeze spots a boulder - OK, so it's the Memorial Stone but she can't read

Smile Breeze

Waiting to go through the intake wall

Up the steep bit, pausing to admire the view

Off again - chance for another game

Climbing the last little bit up to the summit - Ed and Gerda are used to walking in Holland, but they had no problems today

Another boulder, another pose

High Rigg Summit cairn with Blencathra behind

Skiddaw from the summit

Leaving the top - as usual the bots are at the back - non stop talking

Follow the wall

Bog Dog

Follow another wall

 Lunchtime video

Mummy's Little Princess

Donna Summer

Buddies

Nearly back at the Church - and still they talk!

She may be 5 now but she's still a pup at heart. Chasing Beech leaves as the blow in the wind

Back where we started

We have walked a little over 4 miles on a beautiful spring day. Ed and Gerda return to Holland tomorrow but they will be back in September.