January February

Monday 26 to Wednesday 28 February 2024

Many of my adventures in these Blogs have been solo challenges, albeit that I have been joined quite often by many friends from all walks of my life, to the extent that trekking has become, for me, not just an enjoyable exercise regime but also a central part of my social life. A big thank you goes out to all who have joined me on the trail over the years! But a special mention must go to those who I see on a weekly basis at home in Berkhamsted on our rambles in and around the Chilterns, usually with nordic poles in hand, and so what a great pleasure it has been to have spent the last three days with a dozen others from west Hertfordshire up here in the heart of the Cumbrian Lake District. We have had a wonderful few days, in the sun and in the rain, on and amongst the fells and over mealtimes and evenings at the Elterwater Hostel where we have been made very welcome indeed.

Our focus, and our ostensible reason for being here, is for the walking, and during two full days and a third morning walk we have covered nearly 30 miles and more than 1,800 metres of ascent, in all weathers. The following images show our routes and a selection of the many photos of our time in Lakeland.

The group had split for the highland section of the walk, but we reunited for drinks and a late lunch in the Sticklebarn café at Dungeon Ghyll, before a contented and leisurely stroll on the flat path back to Elterwater.

Thus concluded a very fine day in the hills: we made it back to the warm, and warming, hospitality of the Elterwater Hostel for a well-earned dinner and some lively exchanges on our day’s experiences. Aware that the weather is set for the wetter our plans for tomorrow’s walk have turned to lower routes around the Little Langdale valley, to the south of Elterwater.

With the heavy morning rain, and some afternoon drizzle, I managed only infrequent photo stops today, but these few attempts might give a flavour of our day.

Today we certainly enjoyed the full Lakeland experience; the rain seems to give a certain life to the fells, and the light never ceases to change with each passing minute. Dressed appropriately we had another fine walk, twelve miles and over 750 metres of ascent in all, before retreating to the warmth and dry of the local Britannia Inn in Elterwater and then for our final dinner at the hostel. Sweet dreams indeed!

As with yesterday, Wednesday morning dawned cloudy and wet, and so our walking this morning was limited to a two-mile stroll around Ambleside and out on the ‘Waterfall Walk’ to Stockghyll Force, with some final photos to share as our break comes to an end.

And so we said our goodbyes – to each other and to the Lakes – before embarking upon our journeys home. Thank you all for your wonderful company, and to Hilary and Wendy in particular for making, so capably, all of our arrangements. See you all in the Chilterns very soon!

Just as a footnote, I am told that, technically and meteorologically, the impending change in month brings also a change in season as winter draws to a close. There have been moments of approaching spring already and, since my last post, the daffodils in these parts of Hertfordshire have started to bloom; but at other times winter has still held a grip on the countryside, and so it seems to have been on occasion during our fine walks in the Lake District. With the expected warming of the weather, and the approaching spring growth in the countryside, the outdoors is, as always, the place to be. Enjoy!

My Blog title today ‘January February’ is, rather appropriately, a composition by Cumberland-born Alan Tarney, a record producer perhaps best known for resurrecting Cliff Richard’s career in the late 1970’s and for producing ‘Take On Me’ for the Norwegian band A-ha in 1984. The song itself was first performed by Barbara Dickson in 1980, marking a change in career for the Scottish singer away from her folk roots and into mainstream pop – all alongside her various forays into musical theatre and acting. I have featured Barbara Dickson on this Blog before (‘Caravans’ on 14 September 2022), and I was fortunate last week to attend the penultimate concert of her ‘Farewell Tour’. Backed by four very talented musicians, the 76-year-old’s voice is still as clear as ever, and the gig showcased her eclectic portfolio, moving effortlessly between gaelic folk (a genre to which she has returned in recent years) and pop, alongside covers of numbers by the Beatles, Bob Dylan, JD Souther and Gerry Rafferty (on whose ‘City to City’ and ‘Night Owl’ albums she provided backing vocals in the late 1970’s), as well as her rendition of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s ‘Another Suitcase In Another Hall’ from ‘Evita’ (with which she had a hit in 1977). There was a palpable warmth to her performance, and in its reception from the audience, that made for a quite special evening!