A challenging, rewarding mountain climb...
On climbing Skiddaw under Snowy Skies
Lake District Love Letters #8: Mardale and Haweswater
I realise it's been almost a year since I wrote one of these! (How did this happen?) I have so much material now, but I've been so busy with publishing activities, family commitments, etc, that I struggle to find time to write them up. The following, however, simply had to be written, for a number... Continue Reading →
Of Artifice. #poetry #earthweal
First thing we noticeupon entering the reservoir's secret sphere:an echo and an emptinessas if the chambers of the human brainhad been removed, scooped out to leavethe hollow of a barren skull. I won't say 'no birds sing'for you may hear their cheerful chatterin their nests above the dambelow, the rim betrays the lake's mishandlingby human... Continue Reading →
Lake District Love Letters #7: Wordsworth’s Grasmere
This week, I had the privilege to visit Wordsworth's former homes of Dove Cottage in Grasmere, and Rydal Mount just a few miles down the road. I also got to hear his family read his poetry, which was an unforgettable experience. So in today's Love Letter, let me tell you all about Wordsworth's Grasmere. The... Continue Reading →
Lake District Love Letters #6: Orrest Head
A relatively modest fell, standing only 784 ft above sea level, Orrest Head is certainly worth the 20-minute climb from Windermere Railway station, for the extensive views it provides over the head of Windermere and the surrounding higher fells. When is a Wainwright not a Wainwright? Orrest Head was in fact the first fell climbed... Continue Reading →
Lake District Love Letters #5: Ullswater
Today's Love Letter is written in honour of the Lake District's second longest lake, Ullswater. Situated in the east of the National Park, below the mighty slopes of the Helvellyn massif, it offers a world of wonder to the walker. It is 9 miles (14 km) long and 0.75 miles (1 km) wide, with a maximum depth... Continue Reading →
Lake District Love Letters #4: Walla Crag above Derwentwater
I often think of Walla Crag as a non-identical twin to Catbells. As a peak, it is nowhere near as distinctive, though it is similar in height, at 379Â m (1,243Â ft). It stands above Derwentwater's eastern shore, while Catbells rises proudly opposite to the west. The ascent is easier, but affords similarly stunning views. It also... Continue Reading →
Lake District Love Letters #3: Easedale Tarn
Today, I bring you another walk from Wordsworth's Grasmere, which is a good choice when the weather isn't excellent (as so often happens in the Lake District!): it doesn't visit the tops of any fells, but the scenery is interesting and varied even in wet and cloudy weather. Just bring the correct footwear, as the... Continue Reading →
Lake District Love Letters #2: Great Rigg above Grasmere
In the second of this series, I take you on a walk above the former home of the celebrated poet William Wordsworth. Wordsworth lived in Dove Cottage in the beautiful village of Grasmere from 1799-1808. He later moved to the grander location of Rydal Mount a few miles down the road, where he lived until... Continue Reading →
Lake District Love Letters #1: Catbells
As I have been visiting my native Cumbria and enjoyed a lot of hiking in the Lake District, I would like to share some of my favourite places, in the form of a new series, 'Lake District Love Letters.' Alfred Wainwright famously recorded every walking route up every single mountain (fell) over 1000ft in the... Continue Reading →