Glamping in Langdale - yurt viewing

 We are planning events for next year so I drove over to Langdale yesterday to have a look at the yurts on the National Trust campsite.

It was a beautiful sunny Autumn day and the campsite was very quiet.

Perfect location and the yurts were cosy, well equipped and suit us down to the ground next year for a couple of our weekends.  Well stocked shop and the campsite is making moves to be as environmentally friendly as possible, so ticks a lot of boxes.  

All in all I was impressed, so watch this space for Glamping events there in 2015.

                                   Spectacular view approaching the campsite

                          Inside the yurt - sleeps 5-6 comfortably on good quality beds

                            The yurts are tucked into a quiet corner of the campsite 

  Each yurt comes well equipped with crockery, pots,pans, cleaning things etc and a wood burning stove - even the wood is supplied

  Campsite empty but pitches are usually well spaced out - a 6metre gap between tents is stipulated

         There is even a small climbing wall if you fancied it - but expect an audience!

Fancy joining us?  We have now booked the yurts for the August Bank Holiday, so see more details and book at www.mountainhikes.co.uk.

Keswick Hiking weekend / 19-12 September 2014

We had a smaller than normal but very select group for our latest weekend break in Keswick, but were blessed with fantastic weather and did two great walks. 
On Saturday we took a stroll through Keswick to the lake shore to catch the boat across to Hawes End, then headed up Catbells and Maiden Moor before making our way back along the lake shore, for the return boat trip back to Keswick. 
On Sunday we had clear blue skies as we started up Skiddaw from Keswick. Great views throughout the day and a great group of people. 
We even had musical accompaniment, at each stop on the way, courtesy of Mayeul and his magical Ukulele.

Saturday

Mayeul gives us a song on his Ukulele as we head out on the Ferry from Keswick to Hawes End.

A bit more strumming on the way up to Catbells, assisted by AnneMarie and Daniela.

Lydia stops for a helping hand along the lakeshore of Derwentwater.

Cooling off aching feet in Derwentwater while waiting the ferry back.  Meanwhile Mayeul plays on.

Large quantities of tea and cake being consumed back at the hostel at the end of the day.

Sunday

Looking down over Keswick and the lake, with Catbells and Maiden Moor on the right.

Views on the way up to Skiddaw on Sunday morning.  Looking across the Derwent valley.

On the summit of Skiddaw, with Ullock Pike and Bassenthwaite behind

Relaxing on the way back down.  Time for a bit more strumming from Mayeul.

A final helping of tea and cake on the Balcony over looking the river Greta, before heading home

Westmorland Show

Last week, Yen and I headed off to the Westmorland Show.  Its the largest agricultural show in the country and was a real treat, with farm animals of all shapes and sizes being shown off and prepared for the judges.

Prize Bulls being prodded and poked

And Paraded

Showed off

Mad cow disease now a thing of the past.....or is it (check out the sign on the tent)

Yen poses with a prize bull

Meanwhile the pigs are also on parade

Its tough getting the animals ready and looking in their prime, from top to bottom!

So you need a break every now and again, for a coffee and a read up of the program.

But all worth it, for the sheep looking great.

And fluffy

Sheep in pens as far as the eye (well camera) can see.

Yen finds a really fluffy one and tries to convince me they would make great pets.

Heavy horses on parade with their replacement horsepower in the background.

And first prize goes to...

Ambleside Hiking and Yoga Weekend

Last weekend we had a fantastic group of people at Ambleside for a Yoga and Hiking break.  The weather was fantastic and we had two great days walking from the hostel.
On Saturday we headed out towards Loughrigg Tarn, then followed the river Brathay to Elterwater, before taking the path over the hillside and through woods to Little Langdale.  Our final leg was back to Skelwith Bridge and along lanes back to Ambleside.
On Sunday we walked through the village to Rothay Park, then along lanes as far as Rydal Mount.  We then headed along the bridleway up to the caves and along Loughrigg Terrace with its great views across Grasmere.  Our highlight was the walk uphill to the summit of Loughrigg Fell itself where we had stupendous views of all the surrounding fells.
Plenty of tea and cake was consumed beside the lakeshore, as were a few beers, at the end of each day.

Pyrenees

Following our trip around Mont Blanc, we packed up the car and headed south to the French border and the Pyrenees. I was due to do my IML (International Mountain Leader) assessment, but we had about a week before to do some travelling around and hike up some of the more interesting summits including Pic Carlit, Puigmal and Cambre D'Aze. 

Wonderful scenery, especially the area around Pic Carlit and the lakes at Bouillouses.


Then a fairly intensive and nerve racking four days under the microsope being assessed and thankfully passing.

The view up towards Pic Carlit from the lakes at Bouillouses

The view from the summit of Pic Carlit with the lakes below.

Looking back up towards Carlit and the foreground shows how beautifully clear the water is.

Walking up from the Segre Gorge and the hot springs.  Pic Carlit is the triangular summit in the background.

A bit chilly on top of the Cambre D'Aze, but great view.

An early morning shot with cloud still hanging in the valley

On the way up Puigmal on the Spanish border.

Relaxing just below the summit.  Very popular with the local Catalan community.

Chilling outside the tent.  And its a tea cup Yen has, not a can of Carlsberg special brew.

A view across the gorge to one of the more adventurous and exciting paths along the gorges de la carança.

Andy one of our assessors, does a passable impression of the bolt.

On the summit of Pic De Mortiers.  Loosely translated as the summit of death, but it was much friendlier than that.