A walk up Win Hill

On Sunday 21st October we got up early (the stars were still out!). We decided to take advantage of the weather forecast and go walking. The Peak District beckoned us and we picked out a walk from one of our guidebooks, packed the sarnies and set off in the dark and foggy gloom.

We were the first car in the car park at Heatherdene, just at the side of Ladybower. As usual Mo was giddy as Mo as we set off. The first couple of miles were very dank and misty out through the woody valley and then we started to climb up, the light was lovely coming through the tree and all the cobwebs were holding the mist.

We began to climb more steeply and kept getting glimpses of the sun through the thinning fog, we couldn't wait to be on top of the hill in the sunshine. Then at about 9.30am we reached the summit of Win Hill - not a very big hill but the views were fantastic. We could see for miles and miles and were above the fog which was hanging in all the valleys below us! It was like cloud inversion. We stayed and chatted to some bonkers fell runners who had stopped for a breather. Then we took a few piccies and set off for the rest of the walk. Most of the rest of the walk was over moorland along side a forest. As we started to drop down to the valley again the path steepened and we ran the gauntlet with even more mad men - the mountain biker nutcases!

As we got back on the main path way along Ladybower reservoir we met our pal Mark who was out mountain biking! A fantastic little walk of approx. 9 miles or so, made wonderful by the weather and the time of year.

Our Holiday Pics from Northumberland Sept 2007

Slide Show of August Backpack Adventure

Our First Backpacking Trip

August Bank Holiday saw us finally put all our shiny new gear into use. We had recently sold the big tent and bought ourselves a small lightweight tent, fancy new sleeping bags, sleep mats and big rucksacks.
We decided that the Lake District would be good, despite it being a bank holiday. Sam and Penny were 'up for it' and together we decided that Ennerdale would be a good place to start. Sam had completed the 'Coast to Coast' walk earlier in the year and had camped at a small farm site (Bradley's Farm) which he recommended for our first night at Ennerdale Bridge.
So Friday night we all met up at the camp and enjoyed a night of 'Old MacDonald' noises (galloping horses and barking dogs included!!).
The next morning was a bit grey and drizzly but we weren't put off, after breakfast we packed up our sacks and drove to a car park at the end of Ennerdale. We decided to walk up the valley to the Black Sail youth hostel before climbing up into the hills as the weather was quite poor, with low cloud. This was accomplished quite easily and we stopped for a brew at the youth hostel.
We climbed up to pitch camp below Haystacks at Blackbeck tarn - we named our first hill camp 'Pussy Camp' (don't ask - but it wasn't rude!).
A pretty wild and woolly night with lots of strong wind making the tents flap. We were warm and toasty in our new sleeping bags but poor Mo decided that he'd had enough of sleeping at the foot of the tent on a pile of discarded clothes and flopped down on Isabelle's head half-way through the night!!
Sunday morning dawned much better weather, the cloud had lifted and the sun was coming out. We had a good breakfast and set off for our 'big walk'. The first summit was Haystacks, we paused by Innominate Tarn and then decided to go for High Crag via the direct route which was very strenuous and really tested the old lungs and legs!!
We reached Seat summit next then pressed on for High Stile - what a corker, very strenuous but incredible views. By the time we had admired the views we all decided that we had had enough and agreed to exit off the ridge to the valley. The descent was still very hard work on the legs carrying heavy packs. By the time we reached the newer youth hostel in the Ennerdale valley we were all pooped and in need of water.
As a first venture into backpacking it was superb, great route, excellent gear and wonderful company! Can't wait for next year! Watch the slide show for all the piccies....

'Bagging the Views' - Devon 2007

This was a walk which really lived up to it's name. It was about 6 miles and started in Croyde, we walked across country up some very boggy and soggy lanes until we reached Putsborough where we had a run on the beach.

We then followed the coast path to Baggy Point where we watched some rock climbers. The coast path was fantastic and a botanist's dream as there were some spectacular wild flowers growing in natural rock gardens.

I think the best bits were the views from the coast path and running about on the beach! Mo definitely loved the beach...

Watersmeet to Lynmouth and back in time for cake!

This was our first walk in North Devon where we started to explore some of the north Devon coastal path.

The walk was from Watersmeet which is situated in a wooded valley above Lynmouth. It was about 5 miles and took in some very varied terrain. After climbing steeply in the wooded valley we then crossed up and out over moorland with spectacular views of the coast and out to sea.

We dropped down into Lynmouth and after a short rest to eat lunch we followed the river Lyn back up the wooded valley to Watersmeet again. We had to test out the tea and cake on offer at the wonderful cafe (it would have been rude not to!). There were lots of small birds who obviously were used to picking up the leftovers and a bluetit came and finished off my crumbs.

This was a very beautiful walk with some quite steep sections both up and down.