December 30th, 2009
You may remember ‘dreaming of a white Christmas’, but it’s not often these days that the snow actually falls on the right day. This year though it’s been different with cold weather and lots of snow – and ice – across Cumbria.
It’s not been great for driving and hundreds have been treated after falls on icy pavements and roads. But for children the snow has been a treat as this picture opposite shows as a young girl and her mother race down Coledale Common on a Christmas Day toboggan.
The second picture shows Skiddaw on Christmas day with a fine cover of snow. We remember it last like this sixteen years ago (see below), with snow covering the road outside The Larches and a snowy background behind. Though the front hedge at The Larches looks a little different, not much else has changed in Seldom Seen. It’s still a quiet retreat away from it all with marvellous views of the distant fells.
Tags: "Climate change", "Lake District walks", Braithwaite, Lake District walks Barrow, Thornthwaite
Posted in Local news, The Larches | No Comments »
July 26th, 2009
Barrow? You’re probably thinking of shipbuilding and submarines, but up here in Keswick – for those in the know at any rate – it’s the name of a wonderful fell top (455 metres high). Climbing there gives you a taste of upland meadows, high rugged tops, ancient field patterns of the valley bottoms and stunning views of Bassenthwaite and Derwentwater, the area’s largest lakes – all in just a short walk of 1½ - 2 hours.
Yesterday at the height of the holiday season I was passing High Coledale at 8 o’clock with only the sheep and birds as companions. On a blustery morning with bright sunshine, riffs of colour and shade played on the brackened fellside as the clouds bustled and billowed above. Magical. No wonder our niece insisted on climbing Barrow on her wedding morning.
Don’t tell everyone about it – or it will get ’super-model’ attention and no quiet mornings – but make sure you get up there before you leave. Full details and an accompanying slide show of photos are on the website’s walking section under The Barrow Round – high tops and valley bottoms.
Tags: "Lake District walks", Braitwaite, Grisedale, Lake District walks Barrow
Posted in Walking | 3 Comments »
You may remember ‘dreaming of a white Christmas’, but it’s not often these days that the snow actually falls on the right day. This year though it’s been different with cold weather and lots of snow – and ice – across Cumbria.
The second picture shows Skiddaw on Christmas day with a fine cover of snow. We remember it last like this sixteen years ago (see below), with snow covering the road outside The Larches and a snowy background behind. Though the front hedge at The Larches looks a little different, not much else has changed in Seldom Seen. It’s still a quiet retreat away from it all with marvellous views of the distant fells.
