Well……my week at the Lake District FLEW by, and now that I’m home, I need another holiday just to get over this one, the type of holiday where you just put your feet up….
I was amazed to see new born lambs everywhere. I mean it is May after all. In fact we actually witnessed several lambs being born, which reminds me of this tale I have to tell you.
One day hubs and I were toiling, yet again, up a sheer hill. We’ve now finally learnt that signs with titles like “The struggle” and “The unrelenting” should be taken extremely seriously and be avoided at all costs, anyway, we were powering hobbling up the unrelenting when a young couple raced towards us at speed holding a dripping wet, apparently lifeless new born lamb. They said the mother had rejected it, and as it was lying there the crows gathered and were pecking it. So they picked it up and were frantically looking for the farmer who was nowhere about. The poor thing looked half frozen so hubs took his jumper off and we wrapped it up. The couple decided to leave it by the gate for the farmer to find but we persuaded them to keep hold of it while we knocked on doors to try and find the farmer. To cut a long story short we couldn’t find the farmer but did get it to a vet who gave it formula which perked it up no end. I offered to take it back to the rescue with me but the vet located the farmer who then collected it. He said he would put it back on it’s mother…….I hope it worked out!
The thing I love about the Lakes is the ever changing atmosphere. It can be a beautiful sunny day and then as you climb suddenly you are lost in a mist…..eerie it is, but it always calls me back. This time around hubs and I did a heck of a lot of climbing and fought our way to the top of many a peak…..
And we managed many a six hour walk….one day after clambering breathlessly for hours up a steep peak we then actually decided to walk from Rydal to Windermere. Utter stupidity….by the time we got there we were so exhausted we had to get the ferry back, with our tails firmly tucked between our legs.
I’m not sure what the dogs made of it!!!! Their very first ferry ride.
Each evening we would limp and hobble back to the cottage with our legs on fire and light the log burner. Then we would all instantly collapse and just stare at the roaring fire while listening to the thundering waterfall outside. Wonderful it was, pain and all. The contrast between fire and water was hypnotic and blissful. Clambering up mountains sure is character building, my legs are still screaming at me!
Some of the climbs were so steep and the wind so severe I often had the feeling of being frozen in time, neither moving forward or moving back, and I almost felt that the aged stony hills were laughing at us. And…..we were often passed by people far older than us!!! Shameful!
I do find it liberating wandering around the Lakes, and I also feel insignificant within the force of nature, it always reminds me that the veneer of civilization is extremely thin.
I also love the complete darkness of the evenings and nights. It’s wonderful to step outside and discover the heavens glittering down on you. Breathtaking it is to see a billion stars.
It’s the kind of place were you can just be.
I may be home, but my spirit is still hovering above the highest peaks and shimmering within the dancing waterfalls.
It looks like you had a fab time. Well done with all the walking!
We had a ball, thanks Steph. I’m thrilled to hear about your hedgehogs.xxxx
Aye, we’re a bit late round here as well with the lambs. Loads lost on the Pennines around Huddersfield in the deep snow. The last time we were in the Lakes was during the foot & mouth outbreak and we saw a red squirrel on the lane down to Buttermere, it made my day. I then had an argument with a loudmouthed tart in hiking clobber, I dared to get out of my car and stand on a bit of grass, she shouted something about stupid & foot and mouth so I rounded on her and casually dropped out “you can bollocks, traipsing the disease all over the Lake District in yer filthy hiking boots & poncy Berghaus coat, shut it stupid bitch”. I love a nice quiet holiday don’t you?
Oh the poor lambs….the weather has been cruel this year.
OMG!!!! Wot ARE you like???????? hahahahahaha…..You do see a lot of those fancy coats though, I just wet in my old non waterfproof jacket, if I had one of them I’d be scared to ruin it!xxxx
I was magically transformed to the Lake District reading this, what a lovely post. Some fabulous photos here but I really really like the photo of tyour dog looking out of the boat! x
Thanks Suzy. Sam is the most curious dog I’ve ever had and always has to stand up and peep. He was captivated by the water and seemed puzzled to find himself on a boat.xxxx
I almost stopped reading when I got to those ADORABLE lambs! When I was last at the vet’s with Sammy, I saw a little poodle who had the exact coloring of a lamb — darkened feet, dark face, a few dark spots on the back. Its hair was cut short and it curled very lamblike. When the fellow came out from the examination room, I had to keep from exclaiming, “Is that a sheep?”
Anyway, back to your glorious visit. How LOVELY of you take the canines on your jaunt. They seem to be loving every moment. And if they walked nearly as much as you did, I don’t blame them for that sprawl in front of the fire. I’m ready for a nap just reading about these hikes!
Lol….the lambs are cuteness personified aren’t they. I spend ages just looking at them.
Awwww….the little lamberdoodledog sounds a right sweetheart!
We always take the dogs with us these days as there are so many dog friendly cottages around.
The dogs simply LOVE being in the countryside, they are so curious and happy it makes the walks so much more fun. We took them out with us every day and I was amazed that I could actually wear these two out, but every time we got home they completely crashed in front of the log burner. Each morning they were so excited to be going out for the day that they didn’t even want their breakfast! That’s a first for Sam.xxxx
Wow, that all sounds like such an adventure! I’m definitely putting a trip like that, with dogs on my wish list. I dare say that I too would be overtaken far more often than I liked as well!
Thanks Hannah. Walking with dogs is an added bonus, ours have so much fun and give us many a good laugh with their daft antics.
Lol….it sure is embarrassing be passed by people so much older.xxxx
The Lake District is a beautiful place. I love going there too but like you the walks can be painful. I’m pleased the lamb survived, nature can be very cruel.
Oh yes…..some of the hikes are daunting to say the least. What makes me laugh is really hard climbs are described as easy in the guide books! Nature sure can be cruel, the strongest or brightest survive.xxxx
It’s ages since we’ve been to the Lakes, and I do so love it there. Glad you all had such a good time, dogs too! And got some good weather.. it must be a bit different up there today.
It’s a wonderful place isn’t it…..I was amazed at the weather we got this year, a first for us, normally we get totally drenched. xxxx
It sounds like you had a great, but rather exhausting time. I’m a lover of walking too and many times have bitten off more than I could chew 😉 Your photos are beautiful and really make me want to visit the lakes. I hope the lamb was reunited with it’s mum, it’s lovely that so many people cared for it.
Lol, thanks Paula, yes it’s so easy to get carried away walking and totally forget you have to come all the way back. The young couple were brilliant with the lamb, it would have been pecked to death but for them.xxxx
Another amazing post. I love the Lake District and you have caught the atmosphere of it so very well in your pictures, and I love the ones of the dogs….priceless.
The story of the lamb is a sweet one…..no question that everything is at least a month late this year.
Hope you get some rest now you are home:);)xxxxx
Thanks Janet. It’s hard not to fall in love with the Lakes isn’t it, every time I go it’s a different experience.
The dogs adore the Lakes too, so much to interest them and wear them out. I hope the little lamb survived, it would have been lovely to take it to the rescue but I suppose it wasn’t meant to be.xxxx
What a lovely, lovely post – so good at capturing that eerie magic of the lakes! Wow, all that walking and climbing …RESPECT!! And how brilliant you were able to save the lamb. Hope the farmer at least gave you the price of a drink 😉
Thanks Gilly, even a dreadful photographer like me can’t help but capture good pics of such an awesome place.
Lol…..my thighs are even more German shot putterish now….sighs….I suppose there is always a price eh…
I hope the lamb does well too….oh no…no drinkies from the farmer, in fact he told us that it should have been left to die. Not a nice way to go being pecked to death, so I’m glad it didn’t suffer that fate!xxxx
HAHAHA look at Sam’s ears blowing in the wind! I bet he was so happy. I love the one of him stood on the table too, Annie looks lso tiny trying to stretch up to reach the wall. The Swans and lambs are gorgeous too! Glad you had fun and hope the little lamb got better xx
Lol….thanks Jen, such a shame you missed out this time. Sam’s ears do look so funny don’t they, his eyes were like saucers staring at the Lake! Annie is so funny, she copies Sam and thinks she’s as big as him….xxxx
What a wonderful place. Love the fact that the dogs had such a great time and got prime position in front of the log burner. We are going to Devon in couple of weeks time but unfortunately our doggies will be left behind. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful place with great pictures and descriptions. xx
Lol….thanks Sam, we had no chance of moving Sam from in front of the fire…..he just collapses and refuses to budge, even a inch! The dogs love the Lakes, and enjoy spending the day walking and clibing.
Oh, I do hope you have a wonderful time in Devon, a gorgeous place. I’ll look forward to pics and tales of your adventures. xxxx
I so enjoyed this post. The pictures are outstanding, and your descriptions brought to life the adventure, and I felt as if I were with the two of you, pushing uphill, and then completely relaxed as we recovered from all the exertion. What a pleasure to read your words, Dina… and I am so happy that you had such a perfect vacation.
How lovely that you felt you were walking with us Shimon. I think the Lakes are your kind of place and there is nothing nicer after a long day spent walking and climbing than to collapse in front of a glowing fire, there is something very primal about it.
I’m so pleased you enjoyed the post, thanks. xxxx
A most enjoyable post, and great pictures. It’s years since I last visited the Lake District but have fond memories of when I did, and was generally lucky with the weather.
Talk about lots of fresh air and plenty of exercise! I would have enjoyed the ferry ride more than the strenuous walking up peaks.
I like your sentiments about the place, and lucky you seeing the stars like that. xx
Thanks Flighty, I’m glad you had good weather when you went. The walking and climbing can be exhausting so a ferry ride home was a god send! And wonderful too..
Ahhh, those stars…..to die for!xxxx
Oo what lovely pictures all soft and dreamy. It is a long time since I went to the Lake District it rained every day and the car wouldn’t start every morning so my memories aren’t very happy ones. Glad everything turned out alright with the lamb – poor thing. I expect you have leg muscles like a rugby player now with all that walking.
Thanks Elaine, oh what a shame your trip was ruined. It is usually so wet there, that’s probably the only downfall but this time we had wonderful walking weather and dodged most of the rain.
The lamb was adorable, I’ve never held seen a new born up so close before, it was lovely how quickly it dried out and fluffed up.xxxx
I love that last sentence and your description of the nighttime fireside. It sounds blissful, even if it was accompanied by soar muscles. I have never been to this part of England. One day maybe… It sounds like a wonderful place to holiday.
Thanks Jennifer, the log burner is so lovely in the evenings, it’s such a good focal point to simply gaze at all exhausted and it’s so warm and cozy. I’m sure you would instantly fall in love with the lakes, they have such beautiful gardens there too.xxxx
A wonderful post about your holiday stories! Those first lambs look so tiny and vulnerable and it’s marvellous that you rescued the lamb you found. I love waterfalls, too. I would never see one at home where it’s too dry and flat so I’m always fascinated when I visit one. Glad you all had a fantastic time.
I was amazed at how tiny the lambs were, at home ours are so much larger. Waterfalls fascinate me, especially the big ones. I can’t move on easily when I come across one.
I wish I could go back soon….sighs….xxxx
Thank you for the memories…was up there last June, although it was a bit wetter. Lulu loved it too. I love the pics of your dogs on the boat and crashed out by the fire! We’re off to South West Scotland for our fix this year at the end of June. xx
Thanks Karen, lovely to hear from you as always. I’m glad you got to the Lakes too, it’s usaully wet when we’re there but this time we dodged the rain which was surprising!
Lol…..the dogs literally collapsed every time we got home, I never thought I could wear those two out!
Oh how lovely…..a trip to Scotland. I hope you have a wonderful time.xxxx
Sadness of life’s reality… nice to feel that still around people caring for animals… tanking care of the small newborn lamb!
I’m vegan, that’s why I do feel so deeply love for all creatures 🙂 It seams your both dogs are very curious 😉 amusing themselves looking around! What’s doing a camelia blossom inside the little spring-water?
Thanks for posting these pictures… :-)claudine
Thanks Giovannoni, how lovely that you are vegan and an animal lover, now if only there were more like you…..
The dogs are incredibly curious, everywhere they go they peep over walls and through holes.
I came across the lovely blossom just floating in the little pool, I don’t know how it got there but it was so pretty I couldn’t resist taking a picture of it. xxxx
Well it looks and sounds like you’ve had a fantastic time. i had to chuckle to myself whilst reading your tale about the lamb though, just like you to find an animal needing help, I hope it was ok. I’ve never been to the Lake District, even though we’re not that far away, I really must make more of an effort to have a break there sometime. It looks like Sam and Annie enjoyed themselves too.
Lol….I couldn’t believe the lamb situation either…..and we came across two sheep with broken legs and again spent hours locating the farmers!!! I hope the little guy does well, I wish they would have let me take it to the rescue though as we have sheep who are lifers.
Oh you should take a peek at the lakes, they really are beautiful.
Sam and Annie had a total blast….it’s the perfect life for a dog. xxxx
The Lake District is a unique experience, it always has been.
I Like the lamb story; I would love to know if hubby’s jumper, the one he wrapped round little lamb, was a wool one?
Our sheep farmer neighbours have been lambing since January, they should be slowing down soon. I’ve been watching a few of the ewes of a particular cross-breed, who, have been very tactile and affectionate mums, as opposed to functional ones, which, many ewes are. Functional works.
Yes Menhir, the Lakes are unique. I can’t get enough of them.
Yes, the jumper was woolen and after ten minutes wrapped in it the lamb suddenly began to bleat. And it turned from being dripping wet into a total fluff ball in half an hour. It was black and white and had little bumps on it’s head.
How lovely to be able to watch the affectionate mums. Ahhhh….xxxx
Mystically beautiful. Can’t get away from animal rescue. 🙄
Can see why you need another holiday…Hugs! ;)xx
Oh, my goodness, Snow Bird, how gorgeous…and just like you to rescue that dear lamb! Yay! What adventures you had, and it sounds like such great peace to return to your cottage at night…hope there were a few good meals in there, too! Where did you stay? Sounds like heaven!
Hope you’ll have time to get your feet up and relax after such an active vacation…envy your nearness to the lake district; hope to get there one day.
Thank you for these wonderful photographs and your usual rollicking good tales! Peace to your homecoming,
Kitty
Oh Kitty, you would love it there. We stay in a cottage in Rydal, the acres and acres of ground around the cottage are full of waterfalls, forests and mountains. You could spend months just exploring them.
Each day we would take a picnic and our reward when reaching the top of a peak would be to rest and enjoy our food. I cooked most evenings, but the night before we come home we always go to a swish veggie restaurant that serves the most delicious food I have ever tasted. Thanks Kitty.xxxx