Harthside

Sunday dawned a little damp and grey, but not to be put off, we set sail for Grasmere, full of a walkers' optimism!!

The weather, if anything improved, so after meeting up with Chris & Mary in Grasmere, and following a quick coffee in the cafe, we set off for Greenburn valley.

Some of the cottage gardens were full of colour...

As ever the climb soon started, so here we are 'catching our breath' at Helmside cottage..

Then started the long drag up the valley, our climb traversed back to the 'Lion & Lamb' summit, you can see this off to right in the photo below...


Now as you know, no walks a good walk without a picnic! So here we are at Gibson Knott, taking light refreshments...



All to soon its off again, now for the final ascent to Helm Crag at 396m.... (The Lamb is the small stone on the left, the Lion the bigger one to the right)




Below we see a rather tired Paul, having just mounted the Lion.....

And now a rather steep and slippery descent to the woods below, you can just see Lake Grasmere, with its island, in the mist....

Unfortunately, its now raining quite hard, but there are still a few bluebells left to add a little colour to the rather damp woods, as we return to Grasmere in search of a pint of 'Landord's best foaming ale' as Chris Hudson repeatedly proclaims!!!


PS. We found the pub and the pint!!! All in all a very good days walk....

Howdy!

I guess the photos will do the 'talking'...

Maybe some explanation... yes this is my shirt and my brand new Levis...

no comment required on that one....

would you trust this barrister, looks doubtful even with this 'wig'wam on...


and as for his 'squaw(k..ing) ... yup you know what I mean...






Just for info the guy on the left is Andy, Mum's bridge mentor, and on the right is David Grimshaw, standing up and asleep.... no need to explain who's in the middle of it all...

Anyways, the night hopefully raised plenty of funds, and we all had good time....

Last week we had a good day out at the Ping Golf Centre in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.

After a quick lunch, Mum was first in the nets!

Closely watched by her coach Andrew Lancaster, Mum was quickly 'pinging' (even the odd ball off his shins) out on to the driving range o..o..o...o....o......o

However, they soon found some clubs that suited her, and Mum was then 'booming' drivers out on to the range, some of the clubs were so big they looked like 'bungalows on a sticks'!

All too soon it was over and time for the drive home, but then Mum's keen to get off to the practice ground at Fairhaven -- to just try a few more shots!

Well moving on with the updates; we have been up to Lancaster. The idea was to walk the canal through the middle of the town, mainly to find quite a magnificent aqueduct over the Lune! First part worked fine, nice sunny day, we parked near Roger and Gills and off we set....

After 3 or 4 miles we get to within 100 yards of the aqueduct to find it 'closed'!

Had a chat with a local fisherman who suggested we leave the tow path and walk on up the main A683, heading for the M6, but take a quick left by the Holiday Inn and walk the cycle path back along side the Lune into Lancaster - what a walk....

Anyway, some pics of the aqueduct from the Lune...

Back in Lancaster the M&S Cafe 'Revive' took on new meaning...

Called at Tim & Fionas on the way back, but finished off with Fish & Chips in Great Eccleston.

Good day all in all. Next will be me Mum 'swinging' at the Ping Golf Centre...