Harris Holiday

We are back from an amazing week on the Isle of Harris. An Island of contrasts - the most beautiful beaches alongside baron rocky terrain which probably looks something like the moon!

Luskentyre Sand Dunes

Luskentyre

A Walk From Hushinish

Sea Eagles

This cottage can only be reached by sea and then foot - the water immediately in front of it is a lochan not the sea. It is however regularly used by its owners!


Next Beach - Scarista


And a tour around bits of Harris

Curlew

Bunavoneader is the hamlet ahead - that was our home for the week

The Old Whaling Station from our cottage

Andrew's Smiley Face - the gateway to our friends house across the bay from our cottage

Buna from our cottage

Not very good - but seals playing in the bay below the cottage

Seilebost and Mcleod's Stone

What an amazing place. we scarcely had time to explore Harris let alone Lewis. Another trip may be needed!

Headcase Henry Does it again

Kelly has a knee Op tomorrow, but she desperately wants a morning out in The Country before she is out of the saddle for months. Brian is coaching (Jockey's at a race meeting).

Lucky me! I get Henry for the morning. I didn't ever expect to be dressing up like this again!

Henry (Smiling)and Harry. With me and Kelly - both grinning from ear to ear!

Bucket List Time.

I don’t have a bucket list, but if I did........

I’ve always wanted to ride on the beach. I grew up in the midlands, it wasn’t going to happen!

Nowadays, as well as riding out for James, I do a bit for Brian and Kelly as well. They have a breaking and pre trading yard (Brian is a recently retired Jockey). 

Kelly knew of my childish longing, and had a young horse she is producing that would benefit from the experience, so off we went, me on Headcase Henry (Kelly’s awesome hunter) and Kelly on Harry. Brian and Jeff were on camera duty and Kelly’s girls came along for the fish and chips!

Thanks Kelly, I had a ball!

A Short Walk to Crummock

If you've known us a while you'll recognise this view - it was on my PC at work for a start, something to dream about when the stress levels were rising.

So this is the view from Foulsyke and Crummock Water Cottages. The venue for many happy holidays and the home of our friend Joan

We're having a walk with Joan and her dog Max before supper. A miserable day has finally given way to a bit more brightness and the rain has moved away - so time for a little wander down to the Kirkstile

and then up the lonning towards Melbreak

We will walk through the trees on the right of this picture and then along the top edge of them towards the left

Breeze is coming back to see where we are, as usual she has been there and back in a circular motion about 8 times alreay

dropping down towards the lake

Max has beaten us all down there and is patiently waiting for his ball

Which Joan has brought with her - Breeze is just happy to swim

Nothing like a bit of competition

But Breeze prefers sticks in the water

One last dip

 Joan has a bench outside her property which is a stopping off point for many passing walkers, cyclists and drivers, to admire the view. She felt it was a perfect position for one of the 'There But Not There' silhouettes.

Can you see him?

A lovely short walk in very familiar territory followed by a delicious supper, thanks so much Joan.

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!