Handy High Pike

Lots of reasons for not doing anything too strenuous today. Husband is getting over a horrible lurgy and isn't sure how much energy he'll have; Breeze is on heat and is a bit quieter than normal and Molly is with us for a couple of days so we need to pick something that has fairly easy terrain. High Pike it is then.

 OK, so Breeze is feeling a bit out of sorts, but it doesn't show when she gets out of the car

Molly is as serene as ever!

We chose to go up Drygill Beck for a change. You are pretty sure not to meet anyone else on this route

It's moments like this that remind me, how amazingly lucky we are to be living here.

This guy was just getting himself organised as we walked past him, he then took off straight above us

Lots of Fell Ponies about today

5.5 miles, husband was fine, Breeze was just the same as usual and Molly coped amazingly as always. Hopefully we will start to get back on the fells a bit more in the coming weeks.

Round Hallin Fell

Our friends at Ullswater Steamers kindly lent us an acroprop for our recent building works, it seemed like a good idea to combine returning it to the boat yard with a run for the dogs nearby. Husband has been suffering with a horrible cold/virus which seems to be doing the rounds. It seems that it takes a month to shift and he's proving to be no exception to that rule, he really didn't feel like joining us.  So I loaded up the Acroprop and Breeze, picked up Nick and Hetty and off we trotted to the other side of Pooley Bridge.

 A bit of a gloomy day, but none the less it was great to be out. It seems an age since we've been on the fells, and this is a pretty good option for a short walk.

 Two happy girls

 Heading for Hallinhag wood

Looking down Fusedale with Snow on Highstreet

What a cracking way to spend a couple of hours. 3 easy miles, two happy dogs and all thanks to Ullswater Steamers!

Changes

Planned for a while and timed to fit in with Husbands son's workload, we have been having a bit of a swap around. Sadly I forgot to take any before photos until the room was stripped down, but better late than never!

I won't bore you with the details but for good reason, we have decided to change the position of the door leading out from our sun room, so where in the past the door was on the right :

 and there was a window on the left:

 They are going to be swapped over. Simple?

It does sound simple, and basically it was, but logistically a bit of a faff and pretty messy too!

 Having removed the window, the hole needs enlarging, preferably without making too much of a mess of the pebble dashing. Good job Paul's a tidy builder!

 This plastic sheet was our back door for a couple of nights. Thankfully there aren't too many criminals in these parts, and it did a damn fine job of keeping the dust out of the rest of the house too!

 After the window has been removed and enlarged, it's the door's turn to come out

 Recycling the steps kept Husband busy 

 Chasing leaves kept Breeze busy. I wonder if she's noticed she can't get in there now?

 Ta da. 

Much better!

Molly's First Trip To The Seaside

Just for a change, Breeze has a bit of a paw injury. Nothing serious, but knocking it about on the fells won't make it heal and salt water will help, so we decide to venture to the coast for a change. Jay is coming too and decides that Molly is ready to experience the seaside............

The moment the lead was off, Molly was off too. Chasing Breeze about all over the place. Anyone who witnessed this would have thought it was great; a whippet chasing a spaniel at full speed. Anyone who knows Molly's story will think this is amazing. To see her running so free in a totally new environment was just brilliant.

I apologise that these pictures are all long distance, but (a) I forgot my camera so these are on my phone and (b), if I zoomed in, you wouldn't get the true picture of  how much Molly was running free enjoying herself

Spot the Whippet!

She even ventured into the sea for a quick paddle. She did draw the line at chasing Breeze who was nearly at the Isle of Man by now.

Back through the sand dunes to the car and it's lunchtime

Look what your missing James!

An Afternoon stroll

I happen to know that it normally rains on the 10th March. Today however, is different. Blue skies and sunshine.  I have an appointment with a racehorse first thing. Twice up the gallops on a day like this is a pretty good way to start the day. Then it's back home to change out of my breeches and into a pair of walking trousers, swap my riding boots for walking boots, get a few jobs done at home and grab a bite of lunch. Then we're off.................

We parked at Grainsgill bridge and basically followed our noses for the afternoon.  Breeze hasn't had much exercise for the last few days as she has been away with us down to visit Mum and Dad in Northamptonshire and has had to play second fiddle to other priorities. She's making the most of the opportunity to run around like a demented spaniel (oh yes, she is a demented spaniel)

A hidden gem

We're not really sure if this is an old mine shaft or not. The area is littered with them, but this one only goes in a few yards. Still it's providing a wonderful micro climate for a whole host of flora and fauna

Breeze smiles for the camera

Looking across Bowscale Fell to Blencathra

Skiddaw at the back with sunlight reflecting in the infant River Caldew

and again without the zoom. Blencathra is now visible on the left (Husband is doing his pointy stick bit for you)

Me and My Dad on Carrock Fell

A VERY rare occurance. Breeze was falling asleep sitting up. It must be something to do with not coming out till after lunch, she's normally all action all day!

The remains of an ancient fort on Carrock. We decided to drop down the southern side of Carrock from the car. You need to know the lie of the land round here to do this as there are no paths, and much of the southern side would not be a nice experience.

Posing on request, for once without a spaniel smile

Back down to the road and it's just a short walk back to the car. What an amazing afternoon.

We covered about 5.5 miles, most of it on sheep tracks rather than human paths. For us, this gives us just as much satisfaction as covering many more miles of well trodden tourist paths. We only saw two other people, and they were both on the top, on the well trodden path. And to think this is all in our back yard :-)