It's been a hell of a long wait, but finally I will be returning to the Lake District in the next few days. It seems like an eternity since our Scafell Pike walk, and although there have been some good walks in Swaledale and Three Peaks country over the past few months I can't wait to set my foot back on Lake District turf.
 |
| Loughrigg Tarn with the Langdale Pikes in the distance |
Other commitments including work, a return to college and good old rock'n'roll have meant I have had to cut down on walks recently, but I am really looking forward to getting back out in the hills, reacquainting myself with some old favourites and getting some new peaks under my belt.
 |
| Coniston Water |
I sometimes think about "peak bagging" or "doing the Wainwrights" and how fellwalking can seem like a mission to complete lists and tick boxes rather than for the pleasure of it, but I think that's only the half of it. Trying to do new fells means you are always exploring new scenery and finding new favourites to revisit. Our Swaledale expedition this Spring is sure to become a firm favourite as it was a sensational walk. Visiting some of the less popular fells means a better chance of avoiding the crowds, and even in the height of Summer or a popular Bank Holiday weekend, you can still find areas in the Lake District where fellow walkers are few and far between.
 |
| solitude can be found even on the summit of Blencathra |
One great benefit of a weekend of walking is how getting away from it all really refreshes the mind as well as body. I come up with different perspectives problems or difficult questions, and there's nothing better than coming off the fells with a fresh solution to an idea you have been wrestling with at work, or a new songwriting idea. And let's face it, being inspired by the Lakes puts you in the company of some great minds, and that's no bad thing now is it?
 |
| Hawkshead Grammar School - Wordsworth's school |
No comments:
Post a Comment