Sharp Edge from near Scales Tarn.

On Sharp Edge.

Saturday, February 27, 2010 – Mr H and I set out and hiked up Blencathra (aka Saddleback). We started the day with a very big breakfast at our B&B in Keswick and a little advice from the owner. Thankfully it wasn’t raining, but the visibility during the hike up was poor, but the glimpses of amazing views later on really made it worthwhile.

We walked up from Scales to pass by Scales Tarn and have a good look at Sharp Edge. There was no way we were going to tackle that in this weather.  We reached the top of Blencathra in 2.5 hrs after setting off and from there made our way west, following the ridge down the saddle. When the cloud moved, we were rewarded with amazing views.

Now to do this walk again, but during the warmer months :)

With everything going on in our lives at the moment, Mr H and I definitely needed a getaway. After living in the UK for almost six years I was ashamed to say I had not yet visited the Lake District so I took this opportunity to check that box.

We stayed in Oakthwaite House, a lovely little Bed and Breakfast recommended by the many good reviews I found on the internet. I was happy to say I was not disappointed at all. The owners are a friendly couple, who not only maintain this pretty little cottage, cook one of the best breakfasts in the world (the homemade granola pot is to die for!) but are also knowledgeable in the walks around the Lake District. When we mentioned we were going up Blencathra they suggested the routes for us, where was best to park and what to look forward to. There were many little treats for travellers such as chocolates, biscuits, tea and coffee in the room, goodie bags, brochures/maps and a good DVD collection if you just want to stay in for the evening.

The beautiful view of Skiddaw from our room.

After tasting the breakfast on the first day, I was looking forward to the next. Note: when they say large on the menu, they mean LARGE. Thankfully we burned it all off with our hiking.

Oakthwaite House

Keswick centre

Keswick is full of lovely little shops for artists, tea lovers, jewellry addicts and hikers.

What we looked forward to after our climb (besides the hot shower).

Oakthwaite House
35 Helvellyn Street
Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 4EP
Telephone 017687 72398
http://www.oakthwaite-keswick.com/

I’ve been keeping myself busy :) Will post up more pictures over the weekend. But for now, my living room has morphed into my studio once again.

Miserable weather, snow and ice and on the dark peaks, mud. And lots of it! But we made it. February 7, 2010. Not much photos taken, there was nothing remarkable to take. Will probably redo this walk in the summer when I can actually see some views.

I miss hand writing letters as much as I miss receiving them. When I was a kid I used to collection stationery. Cartoons, art, floral, remember the sickeningly perfumed ones? I would collect all kinds, trade them with friends and keep them in a little box beneath my bed. They would stay there until I needed to write a letter to a friend and then I would go through the process of selecting the perfect one.

Now that I’m older, I think personalised stationery is more appropriate to pink perfumed prancing pandas. It still gives me a little shiver of delight.

Viva is, in my (sometimes-not-so) humble opinion, the best Italian Restaurant in Leeds. So, when I heard from a foodie friend that they might be going downhill, I said a prayer and went to check it out. I am glad to report that Viva is as good as ever.

I was introduced to Viva by Italians, who hated every Italian restaurant in Leeds except for Viva. That had to be a good sign.

It’s a small restaurant, you probably would have just dismissed as a hole in the wall. It’s away from where most Leeds restaurant congregate, but the walk is worth it. Run by Italians the food is authentic and tasty.

And the wine selection, one of the better ones I have seen in Leeds. Oh, so very delicious. I definitely recommend the Montepulciano (pictured above) from their list. Take it slowly, to avoid tripping over yourselves on your way out. I talk from experience.

Viva
9-11 Bridge End
Leeds
LS1 7HG
Tel:  0113 242 0185

First attempt to climb Kinderscout: January 17, 2010

Had to turn back unfortunately :( I had food poisoning the day before, but thought I was fine to attempt it. I was sorely mistaken. The snow was deep and my body was still too weak.

Second attempt to climb Kinderscout: January 24, 2010

Made it via Jacob’s Ladder! Wheee :)

After almost eight years of having an online journal I have learned that taking a break from blogging is healthy. It gives one time to reflect and refresh. Once blogging starts to seem like a chore, you really have to hit pause for a while.

And then not long after, your thoughts start to catch up with your fingers on the keyboard.

Help Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere! It is estimated that between 50,000 to 100,000 people died in the quake. Thousands more are without food, clean water & shelter. There is no local infrastructure to cope with the rescue efforts.

Google Support Disaster Info: http://www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/

Donate! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8456730.stm

A few hours into the new year I was shocked to realise that I had traveled to only three (3!!!) new countries in the past decade. Totally unacceptable, seeing the decade before that I made it to 11 new countries. Now that I am greeted with a new start, 2010 is going to be a year of planning and dreaming.

Countries to revisit in the next few years:

• France – Paris again and explore hiking routes in Grenoble
• Switzerland – climb Santis
• Philippines – home. Explore Cebu and Palawan. Hike up Banahaw!
• Indonesia – Bali!

New countries I would like to visit before 2020:

• Australia
• Canada
• South Africa
• Russia – Moscow!
• Scotland
• Czech Republic – Prague
• Netherlands – Amsterdam
• Iceland
• Greece
• Morocco
• India
• Japan

The already visited list:

Europe

• Switzerland
• England
• Germany
• Liechtenstein
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Austria

Africa

• Nigeria

Asia

• Philippines
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Hong Kong
• Singapore