Bassenthwaite Lake and Mugo in walking gear.
On Saturday there was an ambitious plan to climb Skiddaw via Ullock Pike (see map of route). Ullock Pike is described as a very distinctive peak resembling a small “Matterhorn”. Indeed! My first view was with mists swirling around it’s heights; impossibly high, dauntingly distant and scarily imposing all had me wondering on the wisdom of this venture. And indeed it was too high, too distant and above all too weathered in to continue far up the path. All the same it was a joy to be in the Lakes once again and I thought you’d like to share that with me. Thus the photo.

All the same we, my Throssel walking companion and I, were out for about two hours or there abouts. In Keswick we met up for lunch with a small group of sangha members who’d been retreating all morning. Before that though we made a pilgrimage to Love The Lakes, a shop stocking all sorts of goodies and in particular some really wonderful photographs. Serving the customers was Sean of StridingEdge photo diary fame, his two dogs carpeted the floor. What a happy encounter. Happy and glad to show my appreciation of his photography skills. Leaving the shop I pondered on this humble and tolerant chap! I guess it takes a special person to consistently climb the fells, spring, summer, autumn and winter. And to consistently produce such inspiring photographs too.

Sitting over lunch with some sturdy hill walkers I confessed that some years back I’d lost the drive to struggling to the top of mountains. Oh the pain of it, mental and physical pain that is. From what they said in response it’s common for even seasoned walkers to question what they are doing! I guess we keep on coming back for more in spite of swirling mists, precipitous path and the stress.

The specter of a steaming mug of tea at the end of a walk has cheered many a straggler to take the next step.