Autumn. My favourite season for so many reasons - the cooler weather, the colours in the woodlands, the celebrations of bonfire night and birthdays. This year, I decided to head back to the fells in the van, exploring new park up spots and walking new Wainwrights.
As usual, there was no set plan or route as we travelled up through Yorkshire (it’s more scenic than simply going on the motorways.) I stopped to visit some English Heritage sites including Roche Abbey, Conisburgh Castle and a true gem, Brodsworth Hall, a Victorian house surrounded by gardens and farmland beyond. There was a croquet game going on in front of the hall when I arrived and the gardens were full of splashes of vibrant colour.
Once in the Lakes, I am usually pulled north to Keswick, but this time I promised myself I’d go somewhere new and so we ended up in Coniston to a perfect evening down by the lake shore. Not a breath of wind and only a few ducks for company. A perfect, tucked away parking spot with views of the copper coloured beech leaves and the sound of the beck ended up being home for three nights. From here we were able to hike up to a few of the Wainwrights including Wetherlam, Swirl How, Brim Fell and The Old Man of Coniston. I missed a couple of them due to poor visibility and fading daylight, but still a good day’s walking.
The following day we stayed low and walked to Tarn Hows and Hawkshead, followed by a lake shore wander and late pub lunch with friends who were on holiday from Norfolk. Unexpected, but a great day with lovely company!
Poppy and I have tackled Snowdon and Ben Nevis on our travels, so I figured it was time we added Scafell Pike to our peaks! I’ll start by saying that for me it was the least interesting and challenging of the climbs, although visibility wasn’t great, so I’m sure the views can be fantastic on clear days. What did make me stop to say ‘wow’ were the views on the drive down to Wasdale Head. WHAT a place! I pulled over a few times just to take it in - the mountains, Wast Water, how tiny the church and Wasdale Head Inn looked nestled at the end of the valley and the light in the early morning. My other memory of the day was meeting a lady (practically skipping down) with a bag of litter she had collected. It was her 230th time of hiking Scafell Pike this year! That’s a pretty good daily route to keep your fitness levels up! Sad that she has to always come down carrying other people’s rubbish though, that for some unknown reason they feel they can leave up on the mountain.
After visiting England’s smallest church back in Wasdale, a cuppa and some lunch in the van was very welcome before we headed off, deciding to detour on our way out of the Lakes to visit Furness Abbey. The remains are pretty vast and the red sandstone from which it was built is quite striking.
After a safe journey home, I start this week with the start of my 43rd year of life! After spending today walking in Autumn sunshine, sharing food with friends and reading, I feel grateful for the past year’s adventures (both planned and unexpected,) for the lessons I’ve learnt and for everyone who has supported or shared in that journey. So here’s to continuing to challenge myself to step outside my comfort zone, getting older and maybe, just maybe, growing a little bit wiser…
