Just a quick one before our week in The Lakes...

So, my last shift done and what a long old slog?!  1700hrs just never seemed to arrive and it seemed more like 24hrs rather than just eleven.  Anyway, quickly saw Kelly at work as she started at 1400hrs but I managed to get to ASDA before I came home.  To my delight, Smirnoff litre bottles on offer for £13 so I got a couple, plus Kelly's normal vat of Pinot and headed home.  I had two jobs when I got in, clean rabbit and fish tank.  Both jobs executed in text book fashion then time to chill and #FF on Twitter and read up on the Gadaffi carry on.

OK we're setting off tomorrow (saturday) and get to the static about teatime and chill, plan a route up Haystacks, most probably with X factor as noise in the background.  We've decided for Haystacks on Sunday as Kelly's been going on about it for ages and it will be a nice leg stretcher for the week ahead.  We still haven't confirmed the next few walks but we will be visiting Ingleton Water Falls for some photo's for Kelly (Just realised our boots are upside down) but I also think we'll be in the Dog & Gun more than once.
As I said just a quicky and if you see us in the next week be it on a Fell or in a pub, give us a wave.  Signing off now to find my Smirnoff! 

Blencathra via Sharp edge

Friday comes and it's time to pack the Aygo and head off to Kel's sisters static caravan in Morland with an intention of putting Blencathra in the slow filling Wainwright bag on Saturday.  Heading down the A66 the clouds were looking pretty grim.  The North Pennines were cloud covered which generally means our first sight of Blencathra will be even more grim and the prospect of scaling it impossible.  Detours to Keswick and Pooley Bridge were also a disappointment as they were grey and miserable on both the photo side of life and culinary options.  We had a quick sarnie in the Oddfellows and sped off back to our accommodation.  With the words " if you think I'm going up Sharp Edge in this weather you've got no chance marra" jingling round in my head, I settled down to an earlish night, with a little prayer for sunshine the next day.  Kel's sister and brother in law had by then joined us at the caravan with Bruce, the largest German Shepherd known to man.

Early start due to the donkeys in the field next door giving it six nowt on the 'ee oorr' front about 7am or Bruce storming around like a mad dog since death o'clock.  Anyway my sleepy eyes were greeted by the most stunning sunshine and the prospect of tackling Sharp Edge with the summit of Blencathra as a reward.  However, because the sun was shining and it was the weekend, parking at Scales was always going to be a problem... and it was... for a normal sized car, but not for the Aygo.  Parked in the smallest space ever we got our boots on.  We started heading off to towards Mousthwaite Comb but took a sharp left between Scales Fell and White Horse Bent with a cheeky beck sneaking its way between the pair.  As the beck replaces the noise of the A66 with the gentle trickle of the numerous inlets from the top of Scales Fell, we see our first sight of Sharp Edge.  It looks very, very nice.  There's still about a km and a half before we reach the bottom of Sharp Edge and at the moment it's blocked by Brunt Knott, which in itself is quite a decent chunk of rock and I had the urge to scramble it, apparently there is a route but no one wants to do it. 

Anyway, Kel was more interested by the little Scales Beck creeping down the between Scales Fell and the Knott, I could hear shutter speeds getting slower and slower.  We evetually reached Scales Tarn and the sun was beating down, because of this the world and his wife were having their bait, all sat looking at the sun reflecting of the gentle ripples on the water.  So, to my right was the reason I'd trekked the relativley short approach along the side of Scales Fell... Sharp Edge!!  It didn't look too bad but there appeared to be a couple of people on all fours?!  We walked the last few meters to the base and decided to have a choccy fix and stow the camera in my day sack.  I can take Kel falling off but that bloody camera cost chuffing loads.  We set off and almost immediately a guy came storming past us and stopped at the Cairn which had been errected at the base.  He began to dissmantle the Cairn with what only I can describe as a 'frenzzie'.  He ran up the Edge and sat at the top shouting instructions at hikers, "Don't use that path (the wuss path up the side)".  He then began to, in a humourous way, question the equipment people were wearing as they passed.  Kel and I were laughing at the craic but he seemed happy.  I then saw his ID card, which explained his behaviour, 'Lake District Volunteer Warden'.  Ha, a passion of which I concur.  Anyway, I'm glad the enviromental agency were not in attendence as the air was 'blue' as Kel scaled her way across the edge, apparently even the notion of me asking if she was 'ok' produced a reaction that could only be replicated if I asked her for a 'twosome' with the rabbit.  But I should've known after Striding Edge, the phrase "will ya f**k off" is not the reply I'd have expected from someone holding their hand out for help.  So, we clumber up the edge and are closely followed by the warden who threw occassional jibes at anyone who veered off the Edge or was wearing any clothing of which he disapproved.  We leave the Edge with a few of Kel's nails lodged in the rock and think about bait at the top. 

The summit (shown with Alfred chilling out) was quite populated and, even though I love dogs, it was like Crufts.  I normally expect Springers, terriers and the the Labs, but there was a sausage dog which looked knackered.  We pecked away at our sarnies looking over towards the back of Skiddaw then headed off towards Scales Fell with the intention of a swift right turn down Doddick Fell.  The right turn brought a lovely view of Derwentwater and Thirlmere, I've never experienecd such a clear day in the Lakes, every peak was clear.  We headed off down Doddick and I decided to take a look back at the top and heard a 'thump', I turned round to witness Kel sat on the grass saying, " I'm here now I think I'll stay for a bit".  Ha, she'd slipped on her bum and couldn't be bothered to get up!  Anyway we reached the bottom and hit the dry stone wall, which was our indicaion to turn left and head for Scales Farm, where the car was parked.  We met a couple of hikers heading in from the Blenacathra Centre towards Scales so let them past. 

After a few hundred metres we we joined a 'queue' at Scaley Beck.  Now for all you people thinking of completeing this route, you have to bear this little hazzard in mind  There's a cheeky little slab of very slippery rock to negotiate before the crossing of the beck (left).  It is very wet and even though not very high, it could give you a few bruises if you slip off it.  I got myself down and waited at the bottom for miss potty mouth to slivver her way down.  We  eventually reached the bottom and spent another couple of minutes trying to catch the water fall in its essence.  We got to the car and headed off to the Royal Oak in Braithwaite for a well deserved pint and pork scratching, which Kel felt the need to burp back at me.  Cracking day with cracking weather, I want to to do Sharp Edge in the snow, any offers?! 

Out with Kelly's camera

A day off and Kelly at work so I thought I'd venture out for a little walk.  Kelly had tried to explain to me how her Lumix works but in the end she set it for an idiot to operate and said, "Just point and press!"  So I ventured out in the Autumn sunshine and wind and headed to a few spots to see what I could shoot.  There's a back lane called Fillpoke Lane at a tiny village called High Hesleden on the way to the east Durham coast.  As you can see (right), it's a fairly wooded area and as you get about half way down there's a clearing where I think a Hen Harrier hangs out in the Autumn and Winter.  At least I think it's a Hen Harrier but can never get close enough to 100% identify it, but it looks like one?!  Anyway, I parked up at the top of the lane and walked about half mile down to the clearing hoping to see the 'Hen Harrier'.  I couldn't see it so had a look about and thought I'd practice with the camera.  So lined up a nice shot of a tree with some pretty good cloud behind it, pressed the button and "NO MEMORY CARD INSTALLED" flashed up on the screen.  My thoughts went back to the other night when Kelly turned the lap top off and said, "damn I've left the memory card in the lappy".  So I walked back to the car and went back home to get the card.  Text Kelly about what had happened and she text back saying "I did tell you!"  Not quite a consolation as I trudged back up the lane.
I returned to the spot about half hour later but didn't get a sighting of my Harrier.  I'm so frustrated because a work colleague thinks it's a Red Kite but you cannot get close enough to tell before it flies off.  I know there's a difference but it's a tough call.  It seems to be looking for prey, which isn't really a Kite characteristic.  I need a good telescopic lens and a good hide for the day, armed with a flask and some butties for the best shot.

Anyway I walked back to the car which was parked outside the farm yard in High Hesleden.  As I approached my bright red Aygo I saw a black and white cat in the little paddock to the front of the yard.  It looked very alert and jumping around, as I got closer I saw the reason for it's excitement.  To my surprise it had cornered a Wood Mouse, the cat appeared to be playing with the rodent but equally the mouse was rearing up to the cats advances.  Both seemed totally oblivious to my presence and I was within inches of the encounter as you can see (left).  After a minute or so I thought I would mess with nature as I was fully aware of the cats intentions and I'm not the biggest of cat lovers so I tried to separate the mouse, which was now tiring and the playful Feline.  Unfortunately for me, and the Wood Mouse the cat was much to fast and with a blink of an eye the cat was off into the woods adjacent with the doomed rodent in it's mouth.  Sorry Jerry I did try!

I jumped in the car and headed to the coast to see what I could see and maybe catch the last of the Little Terns before they headed south for the winter.  I parked up at Crimdon and headed off towards the fenced off site which is manned by volunteers to keep an eye on the rare Little Terns.  I wasn't having much luck, they had gone and so had the Ringed Plovers who colonise with the Terns.  So the only photo I got was the wooden sculpture symbolising the tiny seabirds annual visit to breed and rear their young amongst the pebbled beach.  Which by the way you can get a £2,500 fine if you get to close.  Apparently this years nesting season was very successful with up to sixty pairs breeding, unlike the year before where only 22 pairs were successful.  This is probably due to the demise of the female Kestrel which I saw at the side of the road on Fillpoke Lane in early March, she had hammered the site in 2010.  Unfortunately leaving only a male to bother the Terns, which he never had much luck as I witnessed in June.  His attempts were countered by the Little Terns and he was sent on his way to patrol the A1086 for his prey. 

So, with the weather closing in and icy rain driving in from the North West I headed home and tried to download my piccys onto the lap top.  I was quite surprised, especially with the shots of the cat and the mouse RIP.  I will never be as good as Kelly and the Lumix is far to complicated for this thick Yorkshireman but I enjoyed playing.

Overwater Hall

A rare weekend off together, Kelly and I head off to The Lakes, well I say The Lakes but we have now become quite attached to Kel's sister's static home which is just outside Penrith so technically, it's the Eden Valley but it's still only a stones throw from the lake district national park.  Anyway we landed too late to really go out but we had some tea with Alison (Kel's sister) and Stuart her husband.  We were met by a still very hyper puppy, Bruce.  Now, when I say the word 'puppy', you picture a cute little bundle of fluff that you can pick up and sit on your lap to watch the TV.  Nope, this puppy is about 7 stone and has teeth like a shark.  His greeting is to be welcomed with joy, and a certain degree of caution as he, like a puppy, communicates with his mouth with is full of skin piercing teeth.  But he's growing up and learning not to 'tickle' you with his teeth. 

Anyway Bruce calmed down and it was a quite drink with Ali and Stuart and planning the next day.  Unusually, we weren't planning a ascent of a Wainwright, we were planning our wedding.  Our main objective was the venue of the wedding of the year 2012, Overwater Hall.  We had originally been 'pencilled in' ages ago when we went to the Lakes looking for a venue.  The hall had captured our hearts and it was in our most favourite part of the country, what could be better!  We did have a bit of a nervous laugh when we were sat having a coffee and one of the owners came up and said, "Did you say you'd booked us for next year?"  her confused face gave me a lump in my throat.  She then looked through the diary and quite confidently said we haven't got you in the book but it's OK as we have no one booked for that day.  The day had been organised but not put in the diary, I guess that's what happens when you book so far in advance.  Anyway we're are definitely 'penned' in now and life's good.  As you can see the hall and the grounds are gorgeous and an ideal setting for the wedding, the owners can't do enough for you and the day looks like it will be a cracking occasion.  The hall is well out of the way set right back behind Skiddaw (our favourite peak), but we're having the ceremony and function all in the same place so no need to worry about transport.  I still think the free drink offer is going to be a big mistake by the staff but that's in the package.  The hall is welcoming and the owners are friendly and do as little or as much as you want to accommodate, which is ideal.  I can recommend the hall as they cater for anything, and are very reasonable.                                                

The rest of the Sunday was spent looking around the area and trying to get a few photo's taken, which eventually came to a halt when the clouds closed in and the light changed.  As usual we retreated to the Dog & Gun in Keswick for Goulash and a pint and a look around the dreaded chocolate shop which has Christmas treats on show.  Also we had to run the gauntlet of outdoor shops which we did well, actually convinced Kel that we do have enough kit (Kel could be sponsored by Rab) and headed off back to the caravan.  We had a bit of rain that night but the pitta patta of the drops is quite comforting when you're laid in bed.  Surfacing from bed the next morning was hard and was under a cloud as I knew I'd be in work in a matter of hours.  Kel was OK as she had the day off and it showed in her pretty smile.  The drive down the A66 was as always with a damp heart and the combination of Kel screaming at bad drivers (even though she was in the passenger seat) and channel surfing the radio, which is normally a mixture of the words 'FFS' and aggressive button pressing on our innocent radio.  But that's one of the things I love about her, passion, plus who likes Michael Jackson and ABBA anyway??!!

Forty-four years on....

As Engelbert Humperdinck crooned 'Please release me', my mom was probably screaming "please get out of me!"  Yep, 2 days into spring 1967 at a hospital in Sheffield, a poor working class woman gave birth to the last of four children (not all at once).  I say 'poor' in the monetary sense, not because she was having me, although I think out of the four, I was the biggest hand full.
So that's me for the next 21 years, growing up on a council estate with a cracking view of Bramall Lane and holidays under canvass in Wales and the Norfolk Broads.  Not too bright and didn't really enjoy school, so with that in mind I decided to stop going at 15 years old.  Apart from the odd Biology class, for which I achieved my one and only O Level.

However, come the official last day of school I went and said farewell to all the people and teachers I didn't like and the next day I popped on my best StayPress trousers, best 3 buttoned jacket with black and red stripes (swish) and headed off down town to set my stall out.  I must have been in every shop, garage and pub in and around the town centre for a month with only an offer to do door to door sales on commission to show for my effort.  Then, after visiting the job centre twice a day I was offered a Youth Training Scheme at Yorkshire Water  and snapped their hand off.  That was me for the first year slogging my guts out for £25  a week.  Which after paying my mom £12.50 board and buying a brand new Vespa on tick for a tenner a week, I had £2.50 left to buy fuel.  But I did whatever I could to get extra money, guvvy jobs and various other things kept my head above water until they offered me a full time job a year later and I was on a wacking £60 a week, the world was my oyster.  However, back breaking stuff was this work.  No JCB's but dig dig dig to get those much needed new water mains in the road.  I did actually fall asleep in my soup at teatime a good few times and saw the old boys with bad backs and knackered hands, still digging at 55 years old, it wasn't a good advertisement for later life.  I also was falling in with a bad bunch, we had a scooter club which was a good laugh, but one by one, my mates started to go on holidays at her majesty's pleasure and I didn't really want to join them.  On a sunny Saturday afternoon I was at a open day at one of the parks in Rotherham, I wandered past the Army careers tent and was jumped upon by a Staff Sergeant from Royal Engineers.  Don't ask me how or why, and with no thought ever before of joining up, I signed on the dotted line. I went for my tests and interview at the main careers office and after being told I was not allowed to go  into the Infantry (too bright, ha me?) and being slightly colour blind I wasn't the best helicopter technician in the making, I joined the Royal Engineers and before I knew it (March 1989) I was on a train to Surrey for 6 months of pure hell.  Gibraltar Barracks will stick in my mind for ever.  Torn knee ligaments, two half decent kickings by the instructors and no sleep made me think every night, as I slept in a sleeping bag as not to crease my ironed bed, what the bloody hell had I let myself in for.  Anyway I passed basic training and headed to my unit in North London.  I did well and was promoted after 18 months after coming top of my cadre course.  Plus running and Orienteering for unit and army I had made a good name for myself.  But in January 1991 I broke the news to my family I was going to Iraq.  Six months in the desert and a bout of dysentery I came back to 12 years of travelling the world and meeting different people.  I decided to sign off in 2002 and settle in the North East.  Tried another stint at the local water board but after two years realised why I'd left YWA in the first place.  I then had a weird thought about joining the police, so I did!  Never thought I'd get in due to my lack of qualifications but they welcomed me with open arms, I think my forces background helped.  The basic training was mentally exhausting, I was up against college grads who knew all the buzz words and how to impress the top brass.  However, coming from a working class back ground I knew how to speak to people, especially the ones you come across in this line of work, which I think amused the instructors in the endless role plays you grind through during the course of the 10 weeks.  So I took up my office on the East coast of Durham and have never looked back.  I have a beautiful girlfriend and a wonderful 5 year son, who both keep me on my toes.

Due to shift work we (Kelly & I) make most of the time we have together, walking and climbing, visiting the lakes and the local area.  Kelly has started taking photo's and to be honest they're very very good.  I see my son Oliver when shifts allow but he seems to have taken a liking to the indoor climbing wall and unlike me, has no fear.  We are still continuing with our quest of completing the Lakeland Wainwrights and are hacking away at them slowly but surly.  Check out Kelly's website and keep an eye on Twitter for our tweets blogs etc.

High Force waterfall

In the quest to get some good piccys in the portfolio, last week Kelly and me jumped in the Aygo and headed off towards the biggest waterfall in Durham (I think), High Force.  About 12 miles outside Barnard Castle which itself is a lovely place.  Always thought I'd love to be the Beat Bobby there a few years before I retire but hey ho, that's a long way away.
 Landed in the car park, £1.50 to park and £2 each to get to the falls.  But we saw the pub called High Force Hotel and thought we'd have lunch first.  Went into the pub and it didn't flick our switch to be honest.  For a start, Kelly, she loves her grub but is quite fussy about what she eats.  Nothing caught her eye on the menu so that's a non starter as far as food goes, so we had a quick Coke and buggered off to have a look at the falls.  It did look a nice cosy pub and a good one in the winter after a walk, but not that day. 

We gave our tickets to the woman in the wooden hut and headed off down the track heading for the falls.  The track was a bit dark which I think pee'd Kelly off as there were some cheeky shots to be had, but the light was not playing.  Anyway we reached the bottom and was greeted by a shed load of people.  The falls were quite impressive and the noise of the water was deafening, I didn't realise it was so big (ooo err).  But we had dropped into the river basin and the light had got worse.  I'd brought the tripod for some cheeky slow shutter stuff but Kelly told me to keep it in my bag for another day.  The base of the falls is littered with small boulder's which Kelly tried to negotiate with her high heeled DocMartin boots but had to squeeze my hand till it went blue to get across.  So with a slightly numb hand we reached the river and she found her shot (above).  But even I thought the light was failing, and as it is quite close to our house we decided we'd come back another day , maybe late spring.  So I helped Bambi on Ice back to Terra Firma and we headed off back to the car.  We hoyed our butties down our necks and set off home, via Woodham to see Bruce the enormous German Shepherd a hug and go home for drinkies and takeaway. 

I like water falls and i was impressed by the drop and the actual volume of water being cascaded off the top.  I've always liked water and the effect it has on us and the environment, in fact i should've joined the Navy instead of the Army and set to sea.  As you can see it's a great place but like everything in our beautiful country, the weather takes the micky and you have to be at the right place, right time.  For those who care, on route to the the falls there are a couple of info boards explaining the rock formation, which is interesting to Laymen, as well as someone in the know.  I love that part of Co. Durham and it's thanks to Kelly i have privilege to see it.

Haweswater and High Street

Sunday before last we decided to have a look at Haweswater and weather permitting go up High Street.  Kelly, Alison and me threw our walking kit in the boot and headed off.  We drove down the edge of Haweswater and parked at the very end, at the foot of Mardale.  It was quite busy even though the weather looked slightly dodgy.  Didn't realise Haweswater was made after the old village, Mardale Green was flooded to create a reservoir, apparently the buildings were demolished by The Royal Engineers and the church was dismantled brick by brick and the bricks were used to build the pier at the side of the water.  So in 1935 it was created and has grown into the picturesque water that can be seen today.

So we walked over the inlet stream coming down from Small Tarn (pictured above) and hit the footpath for a couple of hundred metres along the side of Haweswater.  Alison set the pace and even though it was overcast, the heat was quite unbearable and it wasn't long before a vent stop was needed.  We took a sharp left and had a steep climb onto Rough Crag and set off for High Street along some pretty rough terrain.  It wasn't the steepest of climbs but definitely got your lungs working and thighs burning.  I enjoy a good scramble and like to get hands on the rock.  It wasn't as severe as Striding Edge but could get a bit arse twitchy if the weather turned.  Before long we had Blea Water (right) in sight and a cracking bit of low cloud to welcome our first sight of the top of High Street.  The route was littered with walkers and I had to chuckle to myself as the ones ahead, trundled off into the low cloud and out of sight, it made me think how committed hikers are at 'bagging' peaks.  After a few ups and downs we reached the last climb to the summit.  We decided to stop for a bite to eat and a quick rethink about the outer layer.  We sat down and started to eat, I wasn't exhausted by any stretch of the imagination but was glad of the rest and the refuel.  No sooner had I taken a bite out of my ham buttie when a figure appeared behind us, who appeared to be travelling quite fast.  Within seconds this figure got closer and we had in our sights the first Fell runner of the day, running up the Crag faster than I run on flat ground.  He thundered past and headed off into the low cloud.  They amaze me, I couldn't begin to get that fit again, I did spend the mid 90's heading off to south Wales with my mates and running up and down Pen Y Fan and sleeping under my Jeep after downing copious amounts of Guiness at the end.  I was very fit then, but now have a dodgy right knee for my trouble.

Anyway, Alison had finished her sandwich and wanted to crack on.  Even though she and Kelly are sisters, when it comes to food, you do not rush Kelly.  She has every meal and snack planned out well in advance in her head, and if you try and scupper those plans, or even interupt her eating, you run the risk of been thrown off the mountain.  Eventually we packed away our kit and started the accent to the top of High Street.  Amazingly the cloud lifted as we etched our way to the top.  The route was now quite a decent scramble and Long Stile certainly was a very satsifying and the sight of the top was well received.  The cloud was still quite low, about head height which was quite spooky.



The summit was very flat and quite a size.  There were people milling about at the top, some had come up the Roman Road from the south west and some from the route we intended to take down.  we had a surprisingle good view all around the top and the surrounding fells.  The cloud was still very low but kept off us.  Time was pressing on so we headed south towards Mardale Ill Bell, I really detest the decent, it puts pressure on my knee which I do not enjoy.  But the craic was good, kelly was still having a go at Alison (in good humour) about being rushed to finish her bait and now, as we made our way down towards the dip between Harter Fell.  The summit of High Street was clearing up and the blue sky was peering through.  The views of Blea Tarn were looking quite good, but Kelly wanted the shots from the top, and as we were a considerable way down, she blamed Alison for rushing our break.  If we'd stayed at he foot of Long Stile and Kelly had finished her sandwiches, we'd have been at the top and Kelly would have got her much sort after piccys. 

We took a left down Nan Bield Pass and headed towards Small (water) Tarn. This route is littered with waterfalls and is quite a pleasent decent. The view of Haweswater is stunning and the surrounding peaks. Kelly was dotting about with the camera, trying her hardest to get some good shots, but still having the time to have a (light hearted) pop at Alison about her short lived bait stop and the cloud cover. On route down there are cheeky little shelters made from slate, have no idea what they're or was used for but they are standing the test of time.  The entire route I was eager to see the Golden Eagle which apparently has made it's home in and around Haweswater.  I never knew we had any of these magnificent birds of prey in England, the bird is a male and lost his partner about 9 years ago and hasn't left the water since.  The RSPB have a view point on Riggindale but we didn't get chance to have a look.  (Blea Tarn on left from summit of High Street)

We made our way down and took in the sights of Small Water Beck and the numerous waterfalls.  One of the better decents we've done and not too much pressure on the old war wound.  The cloud had cleared almost completely and the view of Rough Rigg was stunning from the bottom.  The tempreture rose again and we were back in short sleeves and looking forward to the bottom.  A view between the bases of Harter Fell and Branstree was spotted by Kelly who took advantage of the stunning blue sky and a small puffy white cloud perched in between.  With sight of the carpark we sped up slightly and headed towards the car.

At the bottom we took our boots off and jumped in the car.  I'd spotted the 'Le Mardale' hotel on route to the car park and we decided we'd have a pint there to chat about the day.  Nice little bar there and a beer garden with a cracking view (left).  The conversation reverted back to the bait incident and Kelly had 2 bags of crisps on the go.  We all definately enjoyed the day and Alison had managed to get rid of the hangover she's aquirred trying to keep up with Kelly on the Pinot the night before, another thing you don't mess with Kelly about.  Two pints went down a treat and we drove back to the caravan to meet Stuart (Alison's Hubby)  and Bruce the German Shepherd.  For the views it was really nice, but I bet it could be quite naughty in the winter.  Two more Wainwright's in the bag!!