Spring in Winter
It takes a bit of remembering when looking in the garden that it is only the beginning of January. These are some photos of plants in flower a little bit out of season. Although it is nice to see the plants bursting into flower as it usually signifies the onset of spring with warmer longer days we cannot help but worry that everything is going to be set back with a long period of frost or even snow in the next month.
Kilimanjaro Feb 2000
In February 2000 Barbara climbed Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the school where she was teaching at the time in Newcastle. This gallery shows some of the photos of her adventure.
Scafell – 24th Sept 2011
We went on a day trip to the Lake District to meet up with Barbara’s Sisters Christina & Rhona along with Brother in Law Paul to have a crack at Scafell – Englands highest peak!!
Saturday arrived with torrential rain showers. We were late arriving as we were slowed so much by the heavy rain on the M74 (that and the fact that we set of late!)
We set off in the rain but we decided that if the weather did not improve we could do a shorter walk. The weather did clear so we kept on going to the top
Going Up
The route was a bit hairy in places with scrambles over rocks not good for Misty but she did very well. The scree slope to the top was not very nice either. The amazing thing was the number of people. 100′s making their way up and down the different paths! Most seem to have done the quick route up from Wasdale. All shapes & sizes & equipment.
On the top
Coming down we had to negotiate the scree again followed by a boulder field. Again not very good for Misty (or us!) . The further down the hill we got the path improved along with the cloud lifting slightly giving us lovely views over Derwent Water and Skidaw.
Good views on the way down
Arrived back to the cars at around7.00. Getting a bit dark so we timed it perfectly to get the best weather of the day. Finished with a pint of guinness & fish & chips in Keswick before the drive home.
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| scafell 24 sept 2011 |
Dollar Law 15th September
Since our LeJog challenge we have not done much hill walking. We did a bit to build up for the Schiallion Mid Summer Nights Dram walk at midsummer. The main reason for the lack of hills is because we got a dog, an Old English Sheep Dog we call Misty (not the weather as you were probably thinking!). She is now 9 months old. As we intend climbing Scafell we thought she needed the practice! (not us of course!!)
After the continuous inclement weather we chose a beautiful day to go up Dollar Law from Cramalt by the Megget Reservoir. Most of the way is on a track which to our surprise has been extended so the steep section is no longer boggy deep grass, making life very easy.
We could have stayed all day having lunch in the sun with not a breath of wind. Misty enjoyed herself running around taking in the view.
On to the top where we had fabulous views over the Firth of Forth, the Cheviot and the Eldon Hills
Down the same way – a great walk