Place fell sits to the east of Ullswater and the walking guide promised unfolding views of Hellvelyn, Fairfield and Ullswater so this route was a natural choice given our location. We headed up the path from the farm to Boardale Hause and it was along here that we spotted a red squirrel bounding along a dry stone wall - my first sighting of one in the wild. As we gained height Brothers Water hove into view. Unfortunately after taking a quick snap my camera batteries failed. From the ruins of the chapel the path heads north to the summit of Place Fell (657m) on the way we passed a solitary worker building steps to counter the erosion of the way. After a short scrambly section we were on the summit plateau. From the top the path drops down to a saddle to the east of High Dodd. We were following our noses at this point and rather than follow the path down to Cat Crag we continued on over Sleet Fell (378m) and descended to the path that runs along the lake and back to our starting point. It was here that disaster struck, on the decent my left knee started to hurt. An old climbing injury that hadn't bothered me over all the miles and mountains I'd walked these last few years suddenly just flared up. To add to the misery it had also started to rain. The guidebook claimed that this is one of the most picturesque routes in the lakes. It did remind me of the West Highland Way where it follows the edge of Loch Lomond and there are a couple of places where you can stop and enjoy the view. Sadly I was in no mood to enjoy the scenery wanting just to hobble back to the campsite and take some pain killers and rest my leg.
Monday, 11 August 2008
place fell and ullswater
The day dawned dry and overcast - the sun from yesterday long forgotten.
Place fell sits to the east of Ullswater and the walking guide promised unfolding views of Hellvelyn, Fairfield and Ullswater so this route was a natural choice given our location. We headed up the path from the farm to Boardale Hause and it was along here that we spotted a red squirrel bounding along a dry stone wall - my first sighting of one in the wild. As we gained height Brothers Water hove into view. Unfortunately after taking a quick snap my camera batteries failed. From the ruins of the chapel the path heads north to the summit of Place Fell (657m) on the way we passed a solitary worker building steps to counter the erosion of the way. After a short scrambly section we were on the summit plateau. From the top the path drops down to a saddle to the east of High Dodd. We were following our noses at this point and rather than follow the path down to Cat Crag we continued on over Sleet Fell (378m) and descended to the path that runs along the lake and back to our starting point. It was here that disaster struck, on the decent my left knee started to hurt. An old climbing injury that hadn't bothered me over all the miles and mountains I'd walked these last few years suddenly just flared up. To add to the misery it had also started to rain. The guidebook claimed that this is one of the most picturesque routes in the lakes. It did remind me of the West Highland Way where it follows the edge of Loch Lomond and there are a couple of places where you can stop and enjoy the view. Sadly I was in no mood to enjoy the scenery wanting just to hobble back to the campsite and take some pain killers and rest my leg.
Place fell sits to the east of Ullswater and the walking guide promised unfolding views of Hellvelyn, Fairfield and Ullswater so this route was a natural choice given our location. We headed up the path from the farm to Boardale Hause and it was along here that we spotted a red squirrel bounding along a dry stone wall - my first sighting of one in the wild. As we gained height Brothers Water hove into view. Unfortunately after taking a quick snap my camera batteries failed. From the ruins of the chapel the path heads north to the summit of Place Fell (657m) on the way we passed a solitary worker building steps to counter the erosion of the way. After a short scrambly section we were on the summit plateau. From the top the path drops down to a saddle to the east of High Dodd. We were following our noses at this point and rather than follow the path down to Cat Crag we continued on over Sleet Fell (378m) and descended to the path that runs along the lake and back to our starting point. It was here that disaster struck, on the decent my left knee started to hurt. An old climbing injury that hadn't bothered me over all the miles and mountains I'd walked these last few years suddenly just flared up. To add to the misery it had also started to rain. The guidebook claimed that this is one of the most picturesque routes in the lakes. It did remind me of the West Highland Way where it follows the edge of Loch Lomond and there are a couple of places where you can stop and enjoy the view. Sadly I was in no mood to enjoy the scenery wanting just to hobble back to the campsite and take some pain killers and rest my leg.
DIY
Before the off we were putting paint on doors...
After an uneventful journey north we booked into Side Farm in Patterdale, miraculously finding an almost level site. Glorious evening sun drew the day to a close...
After an uneventful journey north we booked into Side Farm in Patterdale, miraculously finding an almost level site. Glorious evening sun drew the day to a close...
Saturday, 9 August 2008
quick food ideas
Rice is nice.
Several supermarkets are doing deals on microwave rice pouches. These are ideal for creating quick and easy supper dishes, not overly lightweight but for a couple of nights out they save cooking and drying meals or using up precious dried food stock.
Here's an example - Tijuana Tuna.
You'll need a Mexican rice pouch, a ziplock bag, a can of tuna (in oil), a red pepper and a can of beans (borlotti is my preferred legume.)
Dice the red pepper, open and drain the tuna and put both in the ziplock bag. Add the contents of the rice to the ziplock bag and seal. Gently massage the ziplock bag to mix and break up any chunks in the rice.
To eat - bring approx 3 tablespoons (45ml) of water to boil in a pan, add contents of ziplock bag and stir until heated through. Will serve two or one very hungry backpacker.
Several supermarkets are doing deals on microwave rice pouches. These are ideal for creating quick and easy supper dishes, not overly lightweight but for a couple of nights out they save cooking and drying meals or using up precious dried food stock.
Here's an example - Tijuana Tuna.
You'll need a Mexican rice pouch, a ziplock bag, a can of tuna (in oil), a red pepper and a can of beans (borlotti is my preferred legume.)
Dice the red pepper, open and drain the tuna and put both in the ziplock bag. Add the contents of the rice to the ziplock bag and seal. Gently massage the ziplock bag to mix and break up any chunks in the rice.
To eat - bring approx 3 tablespoons (45ml) of water to boil in a pan, add contents of ziplock bag and stir until heated through. Will serve two or one very hungry backpacker.
Friday, 1 August 2008
Lakes August 2008
Struggled through the day tying up loose ends at work so that I can take a week off trouble free.
We haven't really planned anything other than we're driving up to the lakes Monday and putting our heads around the door of Alan and Heather of pacer poles fame to say 'Hi!'
Makes a mental note to print kit list before leaving...
It's looking increasingly unlikely that we'll be joining Christine, Brian and Jill for the weekend, who set out from Eastbourne yesterday lunchtime along the South Downs Way. The house is still in turmoil as it's in the process of being made over to entice prospective buyers, so there's work that needs to be completed before the off.
I'm going to enjoy the break (he says in a mantra must believe kind of fashion)
We haven't really planned anything other than we're driving up to the lakes Monday and putting our heads around the door of Alan and Heather of pacer poles fame to say 'Hi!'
Makes a mental note to print kit list before leaving...
It's looking increasingly unlikely that we'll be joining Christine, Brian and Jill for the weekend, who set out from Eastbourne yesterday lunchtime along the South Downs Way. The house is still in turmoil as it's in the process of being made over to entice prospective buyers, so there's work that needs to be completed before the off.
I'm going to enjoy the break (he says in a mantra must believe kind of fashion)
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