• Throw me a stick!

  • Pete and Zac head out on to lake Windermere in the canoe

  • Climbing at Robin Proctor's Scar

  • Enjoying the sunshine on Peel Island

  • Pet and Ted climbing at Bramcrag Quarry

  • The boys, Steve, John, Pete, and Ted enjoy a bite of lunch at Bramcrag Quarry

  • Looking out across Ullswater towards a snow clad Helvellyn

  • Laetitia and Zac enjoying the canoeing on Coniston water

  • Zac and Laetitia braving the artic winds!

Autumn Staycation

I’d had the week booked off from work for months, but we hadn’t got around to booking anything.

Thoughts of Red Rocks, Las Vegas went out the window a long time ago with the post Brexit crazy exchange rates. A quick hot-rock trip to Spain also went out the window when Zac dislocated his hip (needing to save the money in case he needed a hip replacement operation). But in the end, it was probably my continuing struggle with Gilmore Groin that clinched it. Not being very mobile kind of takes the enjoyment out of going anywhere.

But hey ho, the weather was forecasted to be uncharacteristically awesome for this time of year so we were glad to stay at home.

We have a new toy – a Canadian canoe. We thought this would be a great diversion – and we’d thought of trips along the Caledonian Canal at some point – but first we must practice…

We started out on Windermere, launching at Fell Foot. Zac was very nervous at first, but he soon got the hang of it.

Pete and Zac head out on to lake Windermere in the canoe
Pete and Zac head out on to lake Windermere in the canoe

The next day I thought I might try a little climbing, but it would have to be easy and with easy access, so as it was very still we went up to Robin Proctor’s Scar. I couldn’t do much, I followed three routes but to be honest it was a bit of a mistake. I felt it that night, and for the next few days! But Pete had a bit of fun going up some of the classic climbs.

Throw me a stick!
Throw me a stick!
Climbing at Robin Proctor's Scar
Climbing at Robin Proctor’s Scar

The weather stayed glorious, but cold. Pete and Ted climbed at Bramcrag with Steve and John, while I sat in the sun. We had an early finish due to my aches and pains.

Pete and Ted climbing at Bramcrag Quarry
Pete and Ted climbing at Bramcrag Quarry
The boys, Steve, Johny, Pete, and Ted enjoy a bite of lunch at Bramcrag Quarry
The boys, Steve, John, Pete, and Ted enjoy a bite of lunch at Bramcrag Quarry

We decided another trip in the canoe would be good so we went over to Coniston. We had a great laugh paddling over to Peel Island, making a brew and sunbathing. Zac was getting more and more confident, although he did still want to sit on my lap (not easy for paddling!). We had a comedy moment when Zac fell in, but he loved the opportunity for a swim and it was very easy to grab his harness and pull him back in – the advantages of a small dog.

Laetitia and Zac enjoying the canoeing on Coniston water
Laetitia and Zac enjoying the canoeing on Coniston water
Enjoying the sunshine on Peel Island
Enjoying the sunshine on Peel Island

On the last day of my holiday we went for a bit of a walk on the far side of Ullswater. We had to choose a reasonably short route as I’d be walking slowly. It was absolutely freezing, the wind taking any heat away from the body, but it was really exhilarating and the views west across the mountains were wonderful. Helvellyn was capped in snow.

Zac and Laetitia braving the artic winds!
Zac and Laetitia braving the artic winds!
Looking out across Ullswater towards a snow clad Helvellyn
Looking out across Ullswater towards a snow clad Helvellyn

It was a good week to take off work.

One thought on “Autumn Staycation”

  1. One learns something new every day. I’ve never heard of Gilmore groin – until now. Sounds very uncomfortable. I hope it improves spontaneously with out the need for ‘intervention’.

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