Happy Pancake Day

Bella's pancake

Bella does like a good pancake and this was one I cooked for her this year.  I know she is not fussed over it being non spherical either so can get away with knobbly edges.  This year she had low fat Greek yoghurt and best New Zealand honeycomb honey (Pete's actually). Bon appetite!

Robinson, Hindscarth and Dalehead Hike today

We started from Buttermere where we were dropped off by the 77 bus and walked up the road out of the village before starting to climb up the fellside towards High Snockrigg. The views were stunning. This is looking back towards Rannerdale Knotts with Crummock Water beyond and Loweswater way at the back. We pressed on and crossed Buttermere Moss which lived upto its name as it was very boggy. Pete joked to a couple of passing walkers that someone had just fallen in 'up to their neck'.  Not sure if they knew how to take his comment. Anyway, we arrived at the top of Robinson and had a lunch break before pressing on to Hindscarth.

A couple of rough fell sheep were poised on the rocks very near the summit and they looked so photogenic. Bella took a lot of interest in them and had a bit of a bark and pulled on the lead as she is wont to do......But these stalwarts did not give in to her intimidation, and carried on standing their ground. Bella had other sheep on her mind though later.

This was taken on the top of Hindscarth and shows Pete keeping a good grip on her as she surveyed the possibility of making off after the sheep seen far right. She has been known to chase off even though she is firmly attached to Pete's rucksack as an anchor. Once notably scattering its contents all over the top of Blencathra with Pete in hot pursuit. Today though, she was kept in check.

Now this is a boring photo but it has a point, because I wanted to show those of you who have not ventured up a fell yet what the going is like. You see we are often asked to explain the obvious so this photo does it for us, this is mixed rocky ground and fairly flat as its the top of Hindscarth but is fairly typical of the type of terrain we go out in. Sometimes mind it is much rockier. I hope this clarifies the situation.

Next up we have a photo of the view you are rewarded with if you climb Dalehead and it is one of the very best in the Lakes, today it was very slightly misty but nevertheless still took your breath away.  It is easy to become complacent when you live in the area but even we thought it looked magnificent today.

The view towards Skiddaw from the top of Dalehead

The top of Dalehead is graced by a fine cairn, its one of the very best and makes a wonderful photo opportunity to show that you have bagged it. This is Sarah from Cornwall who came up especially all this way because she is lured by the beauty of our landscape. It was the perfect end to the day.

Dalehead Cairn





Bella after a hard day

Cute pose Bella

She was so funny the other day after she came in with Pete from the 'Dodds' walk.  She was pretty wet so I dried her with a towel and then she jumped on the sofa and made herself a nest and in doing so scratched up the pillow so she could rest her head on it. She opened her eye when I took the photo because she does not like being disturbed. I keep the stripey cover on my sofa for these sorties of hers and then shake it out the door later.

The next posting is all about the walks last week so keep an eye out...........

30th Year Celebrations

It was one week ago yesterday that we went up Helvellyn via Raise Beck, Dollywagon and Nethermost Pike onto the summit for our photo shoot before descending down over Whiteside and arriving at the bus stop opposite the Kings Head pub at Thirlspot. I know some of you wanted to come along but could not get away from work so these photos are for you.

Well I had better start showing you some of the photos, but those amongst you who are sharp eyed will have noticed that KR is now on Facebook where if you take a look, you will see the official photo shoot taken by Tom our photographer enlisted for the day. The following photos were taken by Pete and are perhaps more random.....

First up we have the view after we had left Grisedale Tarn and started to go up the stone pathway towards the top of Dollywagon. But who is this chap making his sporty way up the steps; hands in pockets tells you he is super fit........

Carlisle United Football Club hiker

If you take a close look at all the photos posted here and on Facebook you might discover who this mystery Carlisle player is..............mmm

Next, a photo taken on the top of Dollywagon of a hiker who came all the way from Wales to celebrate and join us for our very special day, but a Welsh accent? hmm

Some more of our walkers enjoying the wonderful views and generally standing around and having a rest after that climb up from Grisedale Tarn. We did not hang around for too long though as the wind was cold and more than one person began to wish they had brought along a spare pair of gloves, luckily for them I had 3 pairs with me as I have been caught out in the past with cold fingers on a summer's day.

The view back towards Dollywagon from the ridge leading to Nethermost

Pete and Bella on the summit of Helvellyn

Of course we finally arrived at the summit and had a bite before taking yet more photos. The cold wind was still with us but the sun did pop out as you can see by the shadows.

Posing for the photographer

On the summit I was glad of those warm gloves.

We enjoyed some Elderflower cordial before we set off back down the ridge where we were due to meet up with Alison who had been delayed all morning. She was important because she was carrying up the celebratory carrot cake and lemon drizzle cake which was our thanks to our loyal customers.

Alison turned up just before we reached the summit of Whiteside and we all enjoyed our cake before descending down to the bus stop. I think the bus driver was not too amused at seeing 20 people waiting for his packed bus though..........

If you want to see more photos of this memorable day, go and click on the new facebook button.

Keswick Mountain Festival 18-22 May 2011

The KMF this year was memorable for high winds, and though there was some rain and mist, particularly on the Friday walk over Sheffield Pike and Helvellyn, it was chiefly the strength of the wind, sometimes gusting to over 50mph that characterised the festival. Thursday however was an exception; it was a perfect day, with no wind and a good deal of sunshine. Here's Pete's group taking a break in Langstrath at the foot of Stake Pass on their way to the Langdale Pikes. There were fourteen walkers as well as Pete and Tim, his assistant, and now a qualified Mountain Leader in his own right.

This view was taken just after lunch from Pike o'Stickle 2323ft looking towards our next objectives, Loft Crag 2271ft, and Harrison Stickle 2403ft, in the background.

Here's Bella, the tame Border Terrier, on Harrison Stickle; she's thinking what a long way it looks to Thunacar Knot 2351ft in the distance. The next summit, High Raise 2500ft, was the highest point of the walk and even further away, though the going after the Pikes was easy and made for quick progress. We dropped off High Raise past Long Crag and skirted Sergeant's Crag to drop down to Greenup Gill below Eagle Crag, where we met the footpath to return to Stonethwaite; a long day, but enjoyed by all. Thanks to Trevor Coucil for the photos.

Bleaberry Fell Shelter

This photo is for Paul who was impressed with our Christmas Day walk up Bleaberry Fell.  So here are the intrepid duo shunning the shelter for lunch, actually it was too cold, so we had it down below at the sheep shelter. What does Bella eat on Christmas Day I hear you ask?  My Brussels Pate sandwich was the answer...... Muggins here had to have the other half. Pete always does us proud on these occasions so he had brought along a new flask full of chicken and leek cuppa soup, mmmm and get this, Champagne Truffles from Ye Olde Friars of Keswick. So now you know how the Keswick Rambles leaders manage to inspire the punters.................Next time you come out with us, ask Pete for his gastronomic tips!

Snowed again in Keswick

Yes it snowed again on Saturday morning, but only about an inch this time, but it has been very cold at night, about minus 8 last night... Tonight it feels about the same.  Many people have taken to wearing their crampons around the town and even in the parks. Some have tried to enter the local shops in them, so signs are up saying take them off, I should think so too.

Meanwhile, Bella, Pete and I went for a stroll delivering our Christmas cards today and we thought no crampons were needed but did put Bella's warm coat on, that's after Pete caught her of course....She sulked and ran away, and hid under the kitchen table, then ran into my den and tried to get under my coffee table.  Pete is used to these games and does not let her get away with it, the coat went on.  Next she had to wait tied up to the gate whilst I took a photo in the garden, so I thought why not take one of Bella too. I think her expression is saying 'come on - hurry up'.

Derwentwater today with gently falling snowflakes

 This was the scene down by the lake as we passed by the boat house and you can see that already parts of Derwentwater are frozen, not as badly as last winter but even so it is starting again.  We had planned to go off on a jolly tomorrow until we saw the updated MWIS forcast which gives a bleak outlook. Somehow our day out was not supposed to take in 'upland gales' and hail and snow. So we will sit it out and do some work instead. This next shot shows Pete and Bella strolling along the icy path by the boat landings and gives an idea of conditions in town at the moment. It looks like Keswick is in for more snow tomorrow too.

 Lastly, a shot of distant Catbells from the Launch booking office. What a change from the scene in the summer? Not many ducks and geese to be seen either, I think they have all taken off somewhere out of sight because its probably not a good idea to be a goose in December......

I think the weather might be a little kinder on Sunday if the forecasts are correct, so we may be out on the hills then.  I have plenty to do at home anyway and Pete's new crampons can wait for their first ice trials.

Keswick Guided Walks - The Moot Hall Rambles

Just joking, coz no, we are not changing our name, it's too famous; when you need a Keswick walking guide it has to be Keswick Rambles.  Shall I tell you why? Well actually, I don't have to because you do that for us, you our clients keep telling us that we are the best guides. So I want to thank you all for being such sports and coming out with us this past season.  Our walkers were sometimes singles and some of you were couples and many of you were groups but we all mixed well together and the chatter flowed.  Yes that is the secret of a good walk, not just the scenery but the conversations and the friendships to be made.  We love talking to you all and it shows.   I also need to remind you that our Christmas guided walks from Keswick Moot Hall will be appearing soon, so keep a watch out but meanwhile, if the weather is getting you down, here is a shot of me and Bella on Scafell Pike in blissful sun,      bye for now.

What a windy day

We went up Robinson, Hindscarth and Dale Head today in awful driving rain and wind. The rain did become sporadic later, so much so that my overtrousers were on and off all day....But the wind never gave up; anyway it is good for the complexion to have that stinging effect and red rosy cheeks. We noted that the weather had put off many a would be hero on the fells. Only passed about 3 men all day, no other women to be seen at all except me...

Back in the cosy environs of the cafe at Honister, Robert bought me a very welcome cuppa, so thank you Robert, you are a gentleman. Pete and Bella came on the walk too because she always wants 'walkies' and he was trying out a new pair of Aku Vertigo boots he had just bought to replace his old Vertigo's which had not really been in fine fettle since leaving Skye in June.  Anyway, it was not a photography day but I did receive a wonderful photo of Bella from Judith recently which is the real reason for this post: ok I admit it, I just want to share a photo of my doggie again.....

But she is cute and turns heads all the time.

Walking over Watendlath Fell

Last Thursday, 7th January we took a wintery walk which was on one of the coldest days so far this winter. The ground was at times so frozen that we skimmed the top with our crampons and barely went very deep and at others it was over the knees! The problem was that you never knew when you placed your foot if it was going to grip into thinnish snow or sink right down......Sometimes it was both feet sunk right down to the knees and then it was a struggle with a few expletives thrown in. The start was pleasant enough; here I am striding along the road at the side of Thirlmere. We caught the bus to the end of the lake and then walked up the path to Steel End Farm and past it on towards the Dob Gill car park. On the way I rescued a sheep which had gotton onto the road and which was panicking at our approach. Bella did not help because she was all ready to chase it and kept up struggling and barking in her attempt to be naughty. Anyway, after the sheep was safely back behind its gate, we continued to the car park.

From there we followed the path upwards through the trees and it was like a winter wonderland. Here you can see Pete and Bella on the path.

We continued until we came out up by Harrop Tarn, but you could not see it only a large white flat surface. This photo shows it just under the far trees with the sun glinting on it's surface. It really was a lovely day for sunshine and it kept us a bit warmer than in the forest.

We kept going along the path until we came out onto the bare fellside and that is when we started going up to the knees in very deep snow. So the going became much slower and much more tedious. Incidentally, it was virgin snow, not a soul had gone up there and after a while we realised why because it was very tough going and even trying to follow sheep tracks was not helping. Eventually we found the fence we knew was there from our map and started to follow it as it gave us something to hang onto when the snow was fighting back.....We found a convenient place where the fence posts were proud of the snow with a couple of rocks and settled down for a bite to eat and a welcome cuppa. All around us as you can see from the photo below was deep glistening snow which glinted like billions of small diamonds. It was very pretty to look at as some of the ice had formed slightly larger lumps which really did shine magnificently.

After lunch we pressed on keeping to the fence on its right hand side and followed it along to the higher ground you can see at the end of the fence in the middle of the photo. We had originally intended to march along the tops until we passed Shivery Knott and onto High Tove and High Seat and then Bleaberry Fell, but it was becoming quite obvious that we were not going to be able to do the ridge in the time we had left. Even though we had caught the 9.30 bus from the War Memorial in Keswick we were running out of time fast because of the conditions under foot. So we decided to go for plan B which was to drop down towards Watendlath instead.

Bella thought this was a good idea because by now she was starting to get covered in ice balls on her face, chin, legs and belly. I had stopped every half an hour or so and de iced her but this was not stopping it from forming again very quickly. She had not seemed to notice it but I was not going to let it get too dense on her. So we went along the fence until we passed Shivery Knott and Shivery Man and then turned away down towards the left after we reached Middle Crag. This next photo shows you how deep the snow was because as we approached the gully to go down to Watendlath we passed the sign for Wythburn, which was where we had come from, only the sign was broken so you could only see 'burn' and rather buried in snow......

I am actually able to walk along the top of it here because it was nice and hard but you can see my right foot has still sunk in quite a way. This was better than most of the going.

Suddenly we saw Watendlath in all its splendid wintery glory, it was a joy to behold. You can see the frozen tarn on the top left of the buildings. Our way down passed some wonderful snow formations which were about two feet thick and they formed smooth overhangs above the path in the gully. When we reached Watendlath we sat on the bench by the stream and I discovered that Bella's coat had filled with ice beneath her belly, so I had to haul it all out. Also her coat had ice actually inside the two layers of fleece and outer fabric too. We thought it must have been condensation which had frozen in there. So after giving her a slurp of my left over tea we decided to go back via the road. On the way we passed Surprise View and it lived up to its reputation today alright. This photo shows Derwentwater almost frozen right over.

Three people were skating just off picture to the left at the top of the lake and they were even skating over the areas which looked cracked. Rather them than me. I have been in that lake many a time when I was sailing dinghies and I would not like to think how much colder it could be with no wet suit on if you happened to go through that ice. Also I know how deep it is too and I quickly took my eyes off them; best not to watch. It was also time to move on because we had the bus to catch at the end of the lane by the Youth Hostel. We arrived at the stop and five minutes later round the bend it came. A well timed end to a wonderful day. On the bus I couldn't resist giving Bella a big hug and a kiss on her head I was watched by a bemused teenage girl opposite; well I thought, Bella is my heroine today.

Well done Keswick

Just when we are down but not out, the Keswick Tourism Association emails me this afternoon to say that the Food Fayre will be going ahead on Friday, yes this Friday from 1pm till 7pm and wait for it. Julia Bradbury no less is going to switch on the lights at 5.30pm.  So you must all come down to the Market Square apart from poor kira who is in Germany of course, but we will think of you...

Bella will have to come too because she has been a teeny bit sulky lately, something to do with being stuck in the house and when a Border Terrier is sulky, she lets you know it. Mind you she has not had a decent walk since her birthday on the 11th and if she could talk she would be saying "let's go fellwalkies".

Bella's 2nd Birthday

We had wonderful weather last Wednesday for Bella's 2nd birthday. This photograph shows you the Langdale Pikes in the distance and was taken on Loughrigg Fell near Ambleside.  We caught the 555 bus near the Keswick War Memorial and decided to go upstairs. No one was on the back seat so we managed to get it to ourselves and it gave us magnificent views all the way. (Bella loves being on a bus and hates car travel so as it was her birthday treat we went by bus.)

Once in Ambleside we headed through the park and onto the fellside and we were not the only people that day to think it was a good idea as the place was teeming with walkers and their dogs. So plenty of sniffing and doggie introductions took place. We stopped half way along the walk and had our lunch which we had bought at Ambleside market off a lady selling cakes. Yes we had a wonderful carrot cake fresh from her stall. It was really good and Bella liked it so much she would have eaten Pete's bit too!

We  continued along the fell until we came down above White Moss just outside Grasmere and made our way along the back road to Grasmere village itself.  Once there we called in at this place and bought some gingerbread, and sat on the wall near the village green and finished our flasks of tea with the gingerbread, mmm yummy... Then we caught the next bus back to Keswick, a good day out with not too much walking to tire Bella out but full of interest and she enjoyed it. You could tell by the way she snuggled down onto the sofa in my study  and then proceeded to stretch out full length right along it so no one else could sit down that she was smug. And that is not a bad position to be in on your birthday.

The Website is up

Well I managed to finally get through to the right people at the right place and hey, they gave me back our website, yippee. That was on Friday evening, so on Saturday I launched into design mode and quickly put together a couple of pages for the Home and the Programme and linked through the email address and the blog of course. Then tonight after doing Catbells today, I came home and set about putting the files onto the servers of our hosting company in California. So its all up there in the ether now and it works ok with Internet Explorer 8 and with Mozilla it is ok but the Programme page Home Button is floating where it should not be, but never mind, its just a small niggle in a big world.

Bella has taken all of this in her stride of course....

Not much of a holiday

Well this year we had little choice but to keep doing jobs around the house. Today the electrician is here putting in power to the new greenhouse (or glasshouse as posh people say) So we have a huge trench down the lawn which is 18inches deep to take the cable. Bella is not happy at all, she is mewing behind the door in my study because she wants to play with the electrician...

Little does she know that next week she will be in action on the fells once again. Mind you that might mean a repeat of this experience below.



Yes Bella in Buttermere with her first ice cream tasting. This was a picture taken by kira who just happened to capture the moment last May when 6 months old Bella tried ice cream! Since then it has met with doggy approval on more than one occasion. You will note I expect, that its only the bit left on the stick, I managed to eat the rest.....

Photos from the Keswick Mountain Festival

Well it was going to be only photos from the KMF then I found this one of Bella looking stunning on Great Calva the week before and I just had to post it. This was a day when we started by queuing at the bus station for a bus which was late and ended up giving up entirely and walking from there up Great Calva and back to Keswick. It was a lovely day and a very good walk with Pete, Bella, kira and me.



Next up we have a fantastic photo of us on the Haystacks walk on day one of the KMF (Wednesday 13th May), the chap on the left is one of the Salomon reps, called Mat. We had Cat, Mat and Rich from Salomon with us.

We also had another Matt with us who is a lovely chap and one of our regulars who comes up all the way from Bristol to walk with us and here he is at the back left of the photo.





We also had a couple of ladies who came up from Derbyshire. Yes Carol Anderson Secretary of the Embroiderers' Guild, its you in this photo with others.


The trouble is, I don't remember what was so hilarious for we all seem to be laughing, perhaps Carol will remember? Anyway, it was on the way to the top so perhaps we were looking forward to the summit experience!




But last and by no means least, is Tim my assitant for the day. He just could not wait to go scrambling! Here is Tim nearly at the top of Little Round How a small but rocky prominence on the way down towards Dubs Bottom.

So we all enjoyed the day out and the weather was lovely, windy true but fantastic blue sky and good companions one and all, from embroiderers' to scramblers....

More photos of the KMF will follow, so watch this blog.

Fashion Dog

Some of you will know that Bella does not like wearing her expensive, Finish coat. It was bought to keep her warm on the hills when she was a small Puppy last March. I bought it a little bit too big so she would grow into it and now she has but she does not like wearing it, and she sulks. Sometimes she just sits down and refuses to move!

So I usually carry it in my rucksack just in case. But in the very cold, freezing fog on Pike O'Blisco, I put it on her. She was not pleased but came round to our way of thinking when she stopped shivering. For a Border Terrier she does have a very good natural fur coat of course and it is full of oil which keeps the wet at bay so her fur does not become saturated like other dogs. Even so, when she comes inside the house with wet fur she makes a B line for the rugs in the house and falls on her back kicking and rubbing it against the rug to dry her fur. So our rugs can sometimes be soggy but not our doggy!

Bella's first winter's walking in the Lakes

I just wanted to explain that in future the number of posts on display will be fewer so you will need to use the area called BLOG ARCHIVE and click on the small black arrows on the right to navigate to previous posts. There is an arrow for each month and once clicked it should display a list of posts for that month. Hopefully, the Blog should now be neat and tidy and easy to understand.

Well it has been exciting weather here recently and the tops have had a winter raiment. We had some snow and then we had lots of frost but at least we had no rain, that is not until this week so we can't complain. Also loads of you have been in touch with us which goes to show that this Blog is useful. Some of you came on the walks over Christmas, others of you left comments, some sent us emails and now and then the phone rang. Glad you all found time for us and nice to see some of you starting to plan ahead for this years offerings. We have had more bookings for our planned camping weekend and Pete will be blogging and emailing back as soon as he finalises his route for that weekend as it is his cookie as they say although of course Bella and I are the support group!
Speaking of support, was Bella aware that she was on thin ice?

I actually doubt it because a few moments before this shot she seemed surprised that when she pulled on the lead, her feet went from under her....

Yes, it was her first experience of frozen water as most of you know she is only just over a year old so this was her first icy winter when she was not a puppy in the comfort of her bed with her siblings!


Well Bella certainly had plenty of experience this Christmas as this next shot shows what the top of Pike O' Blisco was like the day we went up last Saturday.


Not a day for the faint hearted I can confirm and the summit was not a place to hang about. Once back down the valley out of the biting cold and terrific wind we headed for the Old DG which surprise, surprise was bulging with would be walkers or walkers who had cut short the day etc.

Anyway, with tales of Langdale Mountain Rescue Team on a callout ringing in our ears we settled down for a nice chat and a cuppa. Just four of eight brave souls who had made it to the top, kira, Bella and us two, in our group; a young couple emerging from the bar (the lady of the party clutching a 'Mulled Wine') who had last been seen on the summit, and 2 other chaps, last seen eating their butties near the summit whom we did not see back at base. It was a jolly gathering I can tell you and we were pretty reluctant to wend our way homeward as the bar was packed and we struck up a conversation with two chaps from SARDA (Search and Rescue Dog Association). I think Bella was relieved when we left as most of the patter was about how to control Border Terriers!!! On reflection, I think the bit about the catapault to sting the derriere of the unsuspecting pooch probably didn't go down too well with her.

Hamish and Angus set the pace

Pike o'Stickle forms the background as Hamish and Angus, two memorably well behaved Tibetan Terriers, set the homeward pace from Harrison Stickle towards Thunacar Knott and High Raise, Bella looks keen too.

Langdale Pikes Walk

The Langdale Pikes walk is one of the longest that we undertake, all of fifteen miles, with a good many ups and downs along the way. The conditions for the first outing on the 1 July were ideal, warm and sunny all day, and we thought at the time that the summer was here to stay, how wrong we were. We started from Stonethwaite and walked up Langstrath, where this picture was taken, towards Stake Pass, the key to the Langdale Pikes from Borrowdale.