Get your boots and bring your camera!

My - doesn't time fly when you are having 'fun'?
Times goes faster the older you get.
Time passes by when you are busy.

Heard those excuses before?

I can not believe it was over two weeks ago that we were in the lakes and I've hardly said anything about our adventures. I shall make some amends right now :)

Would you like to come on a walk with us?   

I have snuggled up in my crochet blankie, the fire and the cat are keeping me company..... 

Right, are you ready?  

Have you  laced your boots?

Packed a picnic lunch? 

Ok... let's go!

Breath in the crisp morning air, feel it as it chills your throat and lungs. Feel the tip of your nose and the edge of your ears tingle while the light  breeze curls around your neck. 

Notice the rough crunch of the reindeer moss under your fingertips as you open the aged wooden gate. Turn left into a single tarred track flanked by still winter thin hedges. 

Turn left again on to a farm lane which behaves just like a ribbon of tar laid directly on to a sheep filled field. Hurry past a cheerfully noisy campsite leaving the holiday makers with their televisions and barbecues. They won't get to see what we will. 

I'm sure you'll find this as amusing as we did, don't forget to bring your camera to capture moments just like this :)

We'll walk through dark woods on secret causeways,  where wild stoats will hunt noisily in the undergrowth and pop up with such a surprised look when they realise we have watched them within touching distance.  

By the time we reach this point, we'll stop for that picnic lunch I suggested you bring. We'll sit for as long as the sun warms us, coz that breeze still has it's icy fingers tickling our ears.  Then once we've eaten our sandwiches and drained our cups of tea, we'll turn towards the hills and walk a goat track clinging to the edge.  It's ok, don't be afraid, the views will fill your heart and feed your soul. 

Breathe.

Touch the sky. 

Feel  whole. 

Connect with the earth. 

Connect with yourself. 

Should you find that last pull enough to make your breath a little ragged, 

sit here on this stone memorial bench. 

Open your eyes and just drink in the view.

The silver sparkle of the sun on the lake will leave you breathless as will the mountains as they crowd around protectively - there is such beauty here that you will just want to stand and stare and absorb the magic.

Once you have managed to tear yourself away from this lofty path 

we'll begin back down into the woods and field. 

We'll turn right and follow a rough water washed stony track studded intermittently with little arrows, encouraging you along to pastures new.

Feel  mixture of sorrow and curiousity when you spot this vixen lying dead in the reeds.  

With no visible signs of injury and no obvious damage, wonder how and when she died.

Feel sad for her but know her spirit continues to trot along secret fox routes as she did before. 

Only this time she is not a threat to the chickens or lambs that share the fields.

Leave your sadness behind as you turn into this valley dominated by a snow sprinkled Blencathra.  This valley is filled by sunshine and music..... courtesy of a farmer who has cranked up his radio in his tractor and is sharing his love of country and western music with everyone within a 5 mile radius. 

We will be serenaded for several miles by nasal twanging reverberating over the countryside.

At the head of the valley, I will point out the hill on the right, we are camping on the other side.

Our walk is heading home, but first we'll have a rest here and admire the view.

Sheep dominate the fields, although lambing time in the lowlands has well and truly started, here in the hills, the sheep are expectant and the farmers poised.

On the final stretch, when your legs are aching and your feet weary, your heart will be lifted by the sight of a red squirrel as it scampers up a tree right in front of you - oh what magic!

Then as we reach the camp site, the sun disappearing down behind the hills, 

we will feel tired...

But oh what 'a good tired'.

Stick the kettle on, 

brew a mug of tea and sit back and smile, 

you have just spent a wonderful day with us, walking the hills.

You are delightful company - please come again :)