Television.........................Bah!

      Well it all came about through an artist friend, I was in the process of purchasing a couple of works by himself, of a Lakeland theme and it transpired that he was familiar with someone at a BBC production company, which specialized in antique works of art. Basically this meant they would come along to your house, film your private collection, conduct an interview and turn it all into a television programme, all well and good. Yet if you see it another way, they are showing thieves what to steal and at which location. In the end I had to decline the invitation to appear in such a production.

      About the same time, I'd put myself forward to advise another production company, from Channel 4, who produced a programme, which identified and filmed private houses of importance and interest.

      They had decided upon an historic building in Ambleside, at which over the years was somewhat familiar to me. For my part, I was asked to produced several obscure books and maps and also put the production company in touch with various people, who had historical knowledge of the structure.

      Regrettably, very little came out of all this, yet for a couple of wonderful days, I had a number of telephone calls, at my place of work, with people running around in excitement, to tell me; "The BBC/Channel 4 are trying to get in touch with you." Priceless!   

Summer...........At Last

      A nice hot summers day at last, what else can I do but gather up shorts, straw hat, assorted wind breaks, and equally inclined friends and head to that Marbella of the north, Haverigg.

      If Lakeland could have a beach resort, surely it would be Haverigg, of course it's not really in the Lakes, unless you're from the tourist board, then it becomes "Lakeland Peninsula" or "Western Lake District"
      Haverigg is about a mile south of Millom, has a seaside feel and appearance, sand in the streets, as you might expect, there is also a caravan site and a prison, luckily you can't see the prison. There is a pub in Haverigg, which serves good food and drink, although there is also a rather unique café, where Haverigg ends and the beach begins.

      This place is so very appealing, because you can get good food and drinks for very reasonable prices.

      Yet of course the reason why I've been coming here every year for many years, is that really top notch sandy beach. Yes you can walk in the sands, sunbathe, paddle, relax, picnic and so forth, though the real reason why we come here, is to build mighty sand cities. This time was no exception, with three others we brought some builder's spades and set about constructing a vast metropolis with walls, towers, castles, temples, pyramids, roads, houses, tunnels and even a sand helter-skelter. Then guess what? We defend it against the incoming tide.

      Wow, what a great day and now it's out of my system until the next time. We complete the day with fish and chips in Millom.

   

A Series of Short Walks llll

      Great plans for this day, though poor weather and low cloud predicted otherwise, even though better conditions would prevail.
      We were able to park at Coniston and set out upon the Public Footpath, near Coniston FC Which is a short path with a small incline and through some woodland, over to the National Trust depot, at High Waterhead. There are several pleasant views of the head of Coniston Water. From High Waterhead, there's a good path at the side of the road, which leads you into Tarn Hows Wood. Which is then a pleasant stroll up to Tarn Hows.

      We made the passage of the Tarn by keeping to the higher east side, near Rose Castle, then dropping down to the track, which takes you down to the bridleway, which in turn, leads onto the Coniston/Skelwith Bridge Road. Here we cut straight across to the Low Oxen Fell road, which leads over to Hodge Close, it's a steep road and after the farm, becomes a track, which leads down to the quarry.

      This is a good place to stop for your lunch, beware of deep troughs! Hodge Close, is a vast former quarry which has operated for hundreds, if not thousands of years and it always amazes me to think that at one time or another, every piece of slate has been looked at and handled for possibilities.
      Time to head off again and follow the slate track towards Little Langdale, yet turning left towards Tilberthwaite, on an unmarked track, just after the stream. Follow this track until you reach a farm, the track becomes a road once again and now it's a good easy walk, back to Coniston, on a well managed path, close to the road. 
      Although upon this day, the fells were clearing of cloud and we decided upon an alternative route.

      Through Tilberthwaite, just over the river and up a good slate staircase, to the right of the quarry and to the left of the river and falls, a good steep, yet short trek, which takes you out onto Coniston Moor. Now heading to the south, by a good solid path, which takes you over to Coppermines Valley. It's a fairly easy walk down to the road and then a stroll back to Coniston, to recover the car.

Bilbo's Cafe (now under new management) this review no longer applicable.

      Heaven's above, getting a half decent sandwich in Ambleside is the bane of my life, if it's not the contents then it's the bread, at one time it was so bad, I was prepared to buy a café, just so that I could be sure of getting a quality product. Then along came Nick's Sandwich Bar, and Ambleside was saved, though Nick has moved on to bigger projects, thank goodness we've got Bilbo's.

      Ok perhaps I may once have said it was a transport caf, for hill walkers and rock climbers, though I meant that in a nice way, as I've dined there upon numerous occasions and never been let down. It's always been wonderful and since they've moved the café downstairs, it can only get better, busier and more well known.

      It's not all bacon, egg and sausage, though it's what a lot of people want, where else can you get this sort of thing in Ambleside these days?

      Whenever I go there, by myself or in a group, I'm always made to feel really welcome and the girl's who run the place are that bit special. It's the sort of place you are always going to run into someone you know, in a very easy going friendly atmosphere. 

A Series os Short Walks lll

Something for a wet day

      I find it best to begin this walk from Low Wray, where there is parking for about five cars (keep quiet about this) This time it was on a damp day, with low cloud, when any thoughts of fell walking had to be put to one side, although there was the promise of some sunny intervals, the majority of the walk is beneath the trees. You know how it is in the Lakes, we don't have a climate, we just have weather.
      It's an easy road walk to High Wray, (short of parking) Then follow the track up to the location known as; Base Camp. Beyond Base Camp there is a footpath (unmarked) which takes you up onto Latterbarrow, it's always worth a visit, just for the panoramic views.
      We soon recover the track and follow the woodland route, signposted for Sawrey. You eventually come to Three Dubs Tarn, one large and two smaller, a good place to stop for a sandwich and a drink.
      It's now more or less downhill to Far Sawrey, home to Beatrix Potter at Hill Top.

      There's an Hotel and Bar, here if you should feel the need. It's mow a good steep hill down to Ferry House and the lake, though we head back to High Wray, along the track by the side of the lake. On this day, there was a strong wind in my face for the entire route, you will no doubt find it a lot easier. The track is recently converted, to form a cycle route, part of an ambitious long distance cycle way. Although we saw few riders, the surface is much improved to benefit walkers as well.

     At the end of the journey, it's easy to turn up to Low Wray and recover the car, but we decided to visit the castle, for an ice cream, as the place is now open to the public and the grounds have free access. There is also a terrific, not to be missed view of The Langdale Pikes, Dunmail and The Fairfield Horseshoe. Perhaps the castle was built in this location with the wonderful view in mind?

Alfred Wainwright........

Alfred Wainwright..........Lakeland Colossus.

      Just thinking about AW the other day, made me recall that I've met him upon three occasions and always on the fells.  The first time in the early sixties, I was with my father on the lower slopes of Wansfell, not many people about in those days. My father got talking to him, they were both Lancastrians, AW gave me a bag of Lemon Drops.
      Some years later, I met him at Dow Crag, on the Coniston range, he didn't recognize me, though I knew him and made a reference to the Lemon Drops and the years just rolled away, we must have chatted for a good ten minutes.
      I've heard it said that AW was a man who liked his solitude and would happily avoid other walkers, something which I never saw in his character.
      Our final meeting came at a not too distant past, upon a fell side near Grasmere, at a point where there is a natural break in the hillside. It was a warm and sunny evening, close to the end of a late summer heat wave, there was a haze over the land in the bottom of the valley. Of course there was some talk of Lemon Drops, as we sat together.
      "You know," he said, "this is probably my favourite place in the world, you can see everything that's going on down there and you only want to be up here." 

A Series of Short Walks ll

Ah yes, an old favourite, a circular walk with variations.

       This one was on a sunny day, now there's a funny thing. A different companion, my regular walking friend and his excitable Labrador. We were able to park on the Under Loughrigg road, just north of Rothay Bridge, after Gilbert Scar, it's free parking, so get here early. We headed off at a gentle, just getting started, early morning pace, up to that famous bridge, known as; Pelter. Up the steep hill upon which Rydal, stands and past Rydal Mount, to the start of the Coffin Trail.
      Whenever I do this walk, I would usually come by way of Rydal Park, much easier, a track through open fields, the grounds of Rydal Hall and suddenly you find yourself almost at Rydal Mount, without noticing the hill.
      Now along the Coffin Trail, it's a wonderful name. I would doubt that there's ever been a coffin down it, at any point in history, more likely a quarry track. Still it's good walking over much trodden ground. There is of course "The Money Tree" a good view of  "The Nab" and Rydal Water, the back of White Moss Common and down into Grasmere, past Dove Cottage.

      It's a short walk into Grasmere and we always like to stop and find somewhere for a cup of coffee and a piece of cake and just about everywhere is Dog Friendly, if you ask nicely. Of course you can always sit upon the green, eat your sandwiches and drink from a flask, though I always like to frequent the cafes and enjoy the traveller's fayre.

      I've always liked Grasmere and often think it would be nice to live here, there is a good selection of properties, though at the higher end of the market.

      We now make the trek from Grasmere up to Red Bank, there are various off shoots along the way, though I always prefer the route up by Nicholas Wood. Really an easy way of bypassing a very steep hill. At the top we cut through to Loughrigg Terrace and it's a good route to follow back to Rydal and Ambleside. Although I always prefer the climb to Loughrigg Fell, just to catch the view of everything that means so much to me. Of course you've still got the march, down to Brow Head Farm, to recover the car. All in all a good ten miles. 

   

Cafe Tref

      Whenever I need a coffee, a mug of chocolate or even a double shot latte, I head to Café Tref.  No drinks in paper cups for me. I like my coffee good and strong, when I'm talking about War, Pestilence, The Black Market and Cuckoo Clocks.

A Seris of Short Walks

      This is not a trial of endurance, nor an odyssey of discomfort.

Through every season, I set myself against nature, or an easy course of low level hikes in preparation for days upon the fells.

      For my first excursion, Ambleside to Windermere, may be considered energetic by some, is really a pleasant walk, upon a dry and sunny day. Although, when I set out with a companion, the rain was just beginning to fall. We headed to Low Fold, as a starting point, then up the lane, into Skelghyll Woods and Jenkin's Crag, which offers a reasonable view of Windermere Lake and down to Bowness Bay and beyond.

      We continued upon the track, which is probably the old Roman Road, round to Troutbeck Village, down to the river and over the bridge, then up onto the lower slopes of Orrest Head, finally dropping down to Windermere.

      At the end of which, I was soaked to the skin, it had rained heavily all the way, at one point I had to wade, knee deep, through a trough of cold muddy water, no doubt left by a vengeful farmer.

      The rains promptly stopped as we arrived in Windermere.