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.

John Lennon

      You're a young lad playing your guitar on the back of a van, then you're tearing your throat out trying to sing. You find success, make a few records, a couple of movies and show your bare bottom on the front page of every newspaper in the world. Soon it's time to move on, say goodbye to the others, then suddenly it's your seventieth birthday and you're not around to celebrate. At least you have enriched mankind with your brief presence!

Tony Curtis

Tony Curtis.

Oh Tony oh tony oh tony don't go,

oh tony oh tony oh tony oh no,

best remembered as a transgendered jazz musician in love with Marilyn Monroe.

Oh tony oh tony it's a shame and a pity,

you had to strangle all those women in Boston City.

You racist you bigot you broke out of jail and went on the run,

then spent the movie cuffed to Poitier, you Defiant One.

You were good in Spartacus and Kirk's death was a loss,

and if you hadn't claimed to be Spartacus you wouldn't have ended up on a cross.

With Kirk in the Vikings that was another,

though to get Janet Leigh into bed you had to kill your own brother.

Oh tony oh tony you made 100 movies and walked the golden mile,

you'll be remembered as a good actor and not just for a hairstyle.

Oh tony oh tony if you must go,

At least you were first to Monte Carlo.

The Joy of the Open Road

     People are on the move, that's trains and planes, cars and vans and bikes and lorries, anything which will carry people and baggage and pets and luggage. There's panic buying of food and drinks and petrol and other goodies. The roads are blocked and tempers fume, there's delays and hold-ups and diversions and doom. "Is this war?" I hear you cry, no, just another Bank Holiday!

A day in the Countryside

      I love spending a day out in the countryside, quaint little tea shops, quiet country pubs, range rovers, horses......the smell of manure.