Showers on Saddleback

Our ascent of Blencathra yesterday was a perfect example of how changeable Lake District weather can be.  Robin, Cathryn, Andy and I set off with Molly in glorious sunshine but after walking for half an hour along the valley, we met rain earlier than forecast and within minutes, waterproofs were essential. Fast forward to Mungrisdale Common, and we were back in sunshine and a drying wind!  But approaching Foule Crag, we were enveloped in a turbulent blanket of driving rain and cloud that had blown over from Skiddaw which remained until we dropped down from the summit via Scales Fell.

London Calling

As I found to my cost, London was incredibly hot during my visit south this week. I love to walk in London but by the time I’d covered a four mile trail, even I’d had enough.  Not only was the heat reflecting off  buildings and pavements but being mid-summer, the streets were packed with frustrated office workers, fractious families, shuffling visitors and besotted couples with eyes only for each other.  I even saw a bride in full regalia posing by Big Ben.  Bruised, battered and “glowing”, I raised the white flag of surrender willingly, once I’d found my intended geocache.

The Family from One End Street

A recent newspaper article mentioned  "The Family From One End Street" (Eve Garnett) as a children's classic.  A childhood favourite of mine, the "Family Day Out" to the Heavy Horse Parade in Regent's Park remains to this day, one of the most vivid accounts of a chaotic family outing I've ever read.  I hot footed upstairs to root through our children's books, soon having the distinctive salmon pink paperback in hand, ready to read on my imminent train journey. And how I enjoyed it! Beautifully told, the adventures of the large, loving Ruggles family have lost nothing over the years!

Open water!

Last week, Andy and I completed our first lake swim for several years!   We’d wanted to find a geocache on Lingy Holm island  off the Eastern shore of Ullswater but weren’t sure how difficult a swim would be.  When chatting about this with our lake swimming colleague R, he mentioned that recent sunny weather had warmed the lake waters perfectly so we hatched a cunning plan to swim out to the island with R and his wife, J.  The evening was glorious, the water was indeed warm and the swim was far easier than expected.  And we found the cache!!

London

I’m off to London next week.  Despite my age, I’m still a country child at heart and secretly find it exciting to go to the city.  I’ll be in meetings for the day but will try to check out at least one interesting feature or I’ll feel  the day hasn’t been entirely successful.  This belief stems from an experience years ago when with a group of colleagues, we arrived in Euston, crowded into a taxi, attended a meeting in  a window less room, returned by taxi to Euston and took the train home having seen ABSOLUTELY NOTHING of the city

ISIHAC

I’m Sorry I Haven't A Clue (or ISIHAC to the cognoscenti)  is one of my favourite radio programmes, with the Mornington Crescent slot topping the bill for entertainment!  Recently, on an unrelated Archers Facebook page, someone asked for the rules of the game to be explained.  Cue for lateral traverses to East Finchley, Trumpington variations and arguments over the interpretations of the 1923 Alston or 2008 Hildich (revised April 09) versions of the rules, especially the ambiguous para 34b, sub para 4ii.  Several extremely amusing comments on the thread had me howling with laughter. Simple pleasures at their very best!

Biting the Boiler Bullet

We’ve finally bitten the bullet and ordered a new boiler.  We should have replaced our ancient relic last year but when we finally considered it, winter was upon us and we didn’t want to be doing major works with temperatures below freezing. Because we all take showers, there’s no need to heat huge tanks of water to fill baths so we’ve opted for a combi boiler, which will also free up some kitchen space. But in all honestly, I think gadget man Andy would have chosen any option that gave him the opportunity to control the system remotely by iphone!! 

Life is a rollercoaster

I’ve never been a follower of Ronan Keating but I remember him singing, “Life is a roller coaster” written by Gregg Alexander and Rick Nowels.  And, at the moment, that’s exactly how it feels for me.  Several colleagues are facing changes which are causing them real concern with their anxiety impacting on others around them.  Change is inevitable but even the most resilient characters can find it overwhelming at times, experiencing emotional stress.  But, “this too shall pass”, and doubtless, some months ahead, the current turbulence will have calmed. and thankfully, I’ll be back on the “low gradient permanent way”

Saddleback Summit

Saddleback or Blencathra remains one of our favourite mountains, not least because it’s fairly close to home, is easily climbed in just a couple of hours and has extensive views across the Northern and Eastern fells.  Having climbed it before in all weathers, it really is our mountain for all seasons.  Our Orcadian friends had never climbed it before, so Saturday afternoon saw us taking to the path above Scales Farm en route to the summit.  It was an easy ascent in the warm afternoon sun and we were soon at the top, admiring the views and feeling pleased with our achievement

Demolition Job

It’s been a while since I visited the office in Reading and although I took some notice of the plastic wrapped scaffolding around a nearby building (I had to; the pavement was cordoned off), I didn’t think any more of it until I went into a meeting room at the back of our offices.  I was astonished  at the extent of the demolition works that were underway.  Waiting for my colleagues to arrive, I reflected on the transient nature of modern building.  Nothing seems to be built to last and is demolished rather than re-developed.  And I think that’s sad!

Ready, Steady, Cycle!

Alone in Reading on a summer evening!  What should I do? Hire a Ready Bike of course!

The hire scheme is fairly new so I hadn’t heard of it before my recent visit but I spotted a stand of bikes on my way to the hotel which roused my curiosity.  A quick google and minutes later, I’d signed up for a day pass. The only downside was the lack of a helmet but as I was intending to stay off road and cycle along the Thames path, I risked it.  It was a splendid way to spend a summer evening

The Winchester Geese

As I’ve always been more interested in the “people” aspects of the past than conventional historical disciplines, it was with great delight that yesterday, I headed to the un-consecrated Cross Bones graveyard close to Borough Market.  The unremarkable site was used to bury paupers and  prostitutes known as “Winchester Geese” until the 1850s since when, it was largely forgotten.  But, it was rediscovered during the building of the Jubilee Line.  Now the local community have plans to turn it into a remembrance garden. Pleasingly, but somewhat inevitably, it was geocaching that led me to this poignant place from the past

Ullswater

I  enjoy visiting  the Ullswater valley.  It’s relatively close to home and  has an impressive backdrop of some of the most stunning Northern fells; Helvellyn, Fairfield, Dollywaggon Pike, Red Screes and Caudale Moor.  Away from the fleshpot that is Glenridding, it has a sense of remoteness that belies its proximity to the M6. Ullswater itself is a sinuous, ribbon lake, and with woodlined shores to the east, it is one of my favourite of all the larger, Lake District waters.  On Sunday, I was able to admire it from Place Fell summit  and it was still as beautiful as ever

Memory Lane

Yesterday evening I took a wander down memory lane as I needed to visit Coanwood on some Parish Council business for Mr Glis. Once I’d finished, I took a walk along the South Tyne Trail and through Featherstone Castle parkland, places where we’d spent many happy hours during Miss Glis’ country childhood.  Little had changed, apart from some river erosion close to the former Prisoner Of War  camp. It was lovely to meander along, fondly remembering that  chapter of our lives.  But, as moving away had allowed us to create other joyful memories, I set off home feeling very blessed