Thack Moor: England's newest mountain

Last weekend, I bog hopped up England’s newest mountain.  No, there hasn’t been a recent flurry of volcanic or tectonic activity in the area; just a survey of Thack Moor in the Pennine wilderness above Renwick.  The use of modern measuring devices has increased the height of the hill by 2cm and propelled it into the sisterhood of mountains, defined by a height of 2000ft.

Inevitably, it was a bleak and windy day, but the walk up the track to the unassuming summit  trig-point made my heart sing, the barren, empty, landscape being one that I truly love to explore

Bulls**t Bingo

Today I've been in a meeting that would have been a perfect contender for the Bull***t Bingo Game of the Year. I could have called "house" (or Bandwidth ) several times, with the amount of jargon that was polluting the air. By the time we'd "fully engaged", "developed an iterative process" and "landed the concept", I was exhausted. Not being a believer in “project speak”, I firmly believe that this move away from traditional language to jargon is nothing more than a technique to impress and exercise control by others who actually know little of the subjects they are “re-engineering”

Human Nature

On Friday I found myself in circumstances that  vividly illustrated the seamier side of life.  With clear evidence of chaotic lifestyles, by the end of the afternoon, I found myself  despondent enough to conclude that society was irreparably damaged.  Feeling somewhat melancholic but hugely grateful that my own upbringing had been in a loving family, with values that were consistent with a civilised society, I turned on the television that evening.  My spirits were immediately uplifted by the many random acts of loving kindness shown through the camera lenses   of Children in Need.  My belief in human nature was restored

Cascade Mountains

On hearing of the Cascade Mountains and Glacier Peak, it’s easy to imagine wonderful scenes of snowy capped peaks, where icy rivers tumble over rocky outcrops and trees stand sentinel against the skyline. And in 2014, we have every intention of seeing if our imagining lives up to reality as we are planning to undertake a walk along the Pacific Crest Trail with our friends, Dick and Barb. It'll be the first time we've ever been in genuine “wilderness” and we are looking forward to it with great excitement. We've started the research and are counting the days until August!!

Finally!

Some caches are memorable for a variety of reasons: a beautiful  (or even undesirable) location, a clever hide or an elegant puzzle. Some are merely frustrating!  And so it was with “A Real Puzzler” which fell firmly into the "maximum uanitate" category.  It all began so well with a straight forward code, a sudoku puzzle and some cartographic jiggery pokery. Then the fun began. We made two visits to what proved to be an incorrect location before returning for a third time.  After becoming increasingly dispirited, eventually I experienced a sense of jaded relief as I stumbled across it! Finally!

 

The First Snow of Winter

The first “proper” winter hill walk is always special and yesterday’s walk up Great Dodd delivered an unexpected bonus, for as we approached Troutbeck, we saw several fell tops covered in a dusting of snow. Once we were above the bog hop that was Bruts Moss, we hit the snow line and revelled in that unique, squeak of boot sole on snow.  Molly, as always, was highly excited, racing round on the sparkling, icy carpet in exuberant fashion as we trekked to the summit.  The absence of wind was uncanny, creating a feeling of deep peace in the beautiful stillness.

 

People watching

 

Waiting for a train!

My friend travelled up to the Wild North on the train from Preston yesterday. Waiting on the station platform, I indulged in a spot of people watching, a favourite occupation. Firstly, the long married couple; him, trailing behind with an oversized suitcase as she marched ahead, giving instructions.  What a contrast to the young,” loved up” pair, snuggled close on the bench seats, whispering conspiratorially? And lounging “masterfully” against the hoardings were the likely lads, eyeing up the young girls, giggling and preening, fully conscious of the unsubtle, masculine attention as they headed off for an evening out in Glasgow. 

The Green-Eyed Monster!

Jealousy isn't something I ordinarily succumb to but being entirely honest, seeing Miss Glis's photos of an increasingly snowy Whistler, I admit to a slight stirring of the green-eyed monster buried deep in my heart! Andy and I would love to be in Canada, carefree and excited about the winter ahead. And maybe we could if we were genuine risk takers; but we're not. A winter hill walk is risky as we get nowadays. Work, pensions and the UBAP (undemanding but aged parent) are all factors keeping us (not too reluctantly) captive in Carlisle. So enjoy and have fun, Nerea

Season of mists

My cycle to work the other morning really epitomised Keats’ “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”.  The mist hanging over the river, lingered for much of the morning, an ethereal mystery hiding the ageless secrets of the water as it flowed to the sea.  It was a morning for magic, for sighting water nymphs and sprites wearing fragile garments woven from autumn leaves and spider silk. The glossy rose-hips, swollen from the rain and summer sunshine, glowed like rubies on their tangled briars.  Sadly, I was unable to loiter and remain in that enchanted woodland lit by an ephemeral sun.  

 

Staward Gorge

Sunlight in the woods

Staward Gorge near Haydon Bridge is one of West Northumberland’s best kept secrets.  The gorge is home to the River Allen which winds its way through an area of ancient woodland and hides many secrets including a medieval pele tower, WWII Prisoner of War carvings and Lime Kilns, relics of an industrial past.  A former Victorian wilderness garden, ornamental and ancient trees mingle along the steep valley walls providing a home to a plethora of wildlife and plants. It’s a magnificent place; a place to explore, to play, to dream, and to be at one with the beauty of nature

POW carvings

Lime Kiln

Autumn Colours

River Allen

Halloween

Despite feeling exhausted after just 5 hours sleep last night, I’m still buoyed up with positive energy gleaned from Judith’s Halloween literary gathering in Cockermouth. As always, the food and company were excellent and the choice of poems and stories, well chosen.  The fire lit room provided a blanket of warmth to envelop us, shadows creeping from dark corners as we shared old favourites from Walter De La Mare, TS Elliot and Stevie Smith among others. I feel very blessed that I’m part of a generous, sharing community that takes pleasure and enormous satisfaction in celebrating the small things