You wouldn’t believe how much fun there is to be had around a table….
When we arrived at the Lakes last week we had a bit of a crisis. Hubs was trotting in and out with all our stuff and I was busy unpacking it when suddenly he said, “Where are the dogs?” I looked around but there was sight nor sound of them. Then I frantically checked the cottage but still couldn’t find them. Hysterically, hubs and I raced outside, I went right and asked him to go left.
Outside there were sheep everywhere, and Sam is obsessed with them. Some are in enclosed fields but many roam free with their lambs, and this had me worried sick. I knew Sam would gravitate to the sheep and had no doubt a farmer would shoot him if he was spotted, even though he wouldn’t hurt them.
To my horror there was no sign of them at all, I was racing down the mountain screaming their names and all the time I knew they could be miles away, in the forests or up waterfalls….or off on the many walks we’ve taken them on……so much ground to cover and so little time.
And everywhere I ran I came across livestock….and still no sign of the dogs. I can’t explain the terrible thoughts that ran through my head, my heart was pounding and I was shaking. I was also hideously out of breath. I hollered at every passer-by and camper, but no, no-one had seen them.
After about half an hour of running around like a headless chicken, I tried to calm down and decided to check the house once again. So back I ran and checked all the rooms….and there they were in the spare bedroom with eyes as large as saucers looking rather mystified! They must have heard all my panicky screams!!!
Oh my….the RELIEF!!!! I just can’t express the relief I felt!
When hubs returned I could see the relief on his face too….and the exertion…..and he was mumbling something under his breath about me asking him to go left, UP the mountain! Apparently it aint no fun running uphill!
I surprised myself this week, even after the scare with the dogs. I decided to let Annie off the lead on the mountain passes this time around, as she’s been walking off lead at home and is doing really well…..a little collie in training. She completely excelled herself and loved it, so we can now throw away her L plates!
We had fabulous sunshine mid week so played out on the ferries…..
Such fun ferry hopping is!
The dogs got so used to it they even began play fighting on the boats!
We went on a couple of monstrous hikes this time around….by accident you understand!
The first one began well, we hiked up to Loughrigg peak, which is no joke on the old thighs I can tell you, and then we took a diversion….hubs idea, he wanted to find some tarn or other….
So we climbed and climbed…..then tiptoed down the sheer mountain passes until the diversion took us right over the damn mountain only for hubs to announce that we were on the WRONG side of it and would have to go back the way we had come! I utterly refused! My legs were done with climbing and were burning something shocking…..sooooo….after a long chat with a delightfully posh gentleman with a map, another route was found that didn’t involve too much climbing, but it was longer, another eight miles….sighs….so off we all trotted….
And we even stumbled across the Tarn hubs was after in the first place…
We walked and walked and walked some more until I was convinced I had worn my soles out….
And everywhere bluebells were gracing the hilltops.
Until finally we were once again on the lower ground and on the right side of the mountain.
I won’t ramble on about the next days’ walk, enough said that it was supposed to be easy but ended up involving an unmerciful climb up the eternally winding, hideously steep path called the UNRELENTING. The name says it all, add wind and chill factor and two dogs pulling in opposite directions and hair blinding the eyes……oh the torture! This is the second time this route has defeated us!!
Anyway……..I’m now home and am already missing the place….even if my legs don’t! So…after a few large glasses of wine I shall begin catching up with you all.
And finally…..the UK winner of The Cut Flower Patch is Sue@glallotments …so if you could email me your address Sue I’ll have the publisher sort you a copy.
I’m not sure if any non-UK readers wanted a copy of the book or not, if anyone does could you let me know?
Oh I love that pic of Annie on the ferry looking over! Very arty! Sounds like an eventful week, I’m glad I wasn’t there when they went missing! xx
Lol…..art Annie eh? I think you would have been worried sick too….so many places they could have gone and so little time to look for them. Thankfully, all’s well that ends well1xxx
wow sounds as if you have been having lots of adventures!! Must have been the most horrible panic thinking the dogs were raging around chasing sheep and wreaking havoc….. that must have been sooooo scary….. glad all turned out well…
Getting lost on misty moisty hill sides and having to walk miles and miles extra when totally done for sounds just the sort of thing that happens to me….. Well at least y’know you are alive!! VERY much alive! xxxx
Oh….you wouldn’t believe the thoughts that ran through my head for that half an hour. I was beginning to despair as time went by….thank goodness they were never lost….you should have seen their faces!
Hahahaha….yes, these things do happen to you don’t they….ah well, as you say at least we know we’re alive and kicking!!! xxx
THE VIEWS! The views!!! Dina, the views are phenomenal. I’m so sorry you had ginormous hikes to get them, but I’m so thankful 🙂 Especially since someone would have to carry me to get me to go half as far. As for those darn dogs… my cats play the same trick. The one whose name I’ve been calling up and down the neighborhood turns out to be one that never went outside at all and was casually asleep under the bed wishing the bellowing would stop.
So glad you’re back. I’ve missed you 🙂
Oh the views were worth the pain…..once the pain subsided you understand!!! I would have had hubs carry me but he was bush- whacked as well.
I can just imagine you running around cat hunting while they disdainfully sneer from their hidey holes!
It’s lovely to be back, thanks Anne.xxx
Thank goodness, all’s well that ends well! As I’m not allowed to keep dogs here, I’ve only ever felt that panic over children but, my goodness, it’s scary! The Lakes look beautiful but I’m in awe of your walking stamina! I once hiked up a mountain in Scotland with a chap who wanted to prove how fit he was, I was struggling to keep up and then he lost the way, had me tumbling down the mountain through gorse bushes and on the wrong side to where we needed to be! I made him pay for the drinks in the pub after!!
Thanks Caro, hahahaha….what a fabulous story, well I don’t envy you tumbling down the mountain through the gorse!!! I think I would have wanted a meal as well!!!xxx
I do know that feeling when animals get carried away by the spirit of adventure, so I was able to identify when you went around calling for the dogs. What a relief to find them at home… and good to read of your finding the right side of the mountain after the hike turned into a bigger adventure than you had expected. So good to see the pictures too, and to get the feelings of the season. I too, like your dogs, love to wander among the sheep and goats…
It’s such an awful feeling isn’t it? Especially when you know they could be in real danger. One of the rescue dogs that was adopted got lost in the Lake District, it took three weeks to find it, teams of people went there day and night searching but fortunately for the dog all ended well. Oh it was such a blessed relief to see them sitting there looking bewildered…. I had some dreadful thoughts re what could have happened to them, especially regarding farmers and their guns, they shoot first and ask questions afterwards!
I think that hike was the hardest and longest we’ve ever done, but the countryside around there is stunning so you forget about the pain after a while.
I too love to wander amongst the animals…I can understand the calling! Thanks so much Shimon.xxx
Some good exercise for you. Great you found the dogs and they hadn’t gone awol. Nice images.
I did mention I have problems with Blogger. I use Chrome and cant publish my posts there. Seems to work with IE, but this is inconvenient.
So I will try and publish a ‘green post’ on my new blog Peters Place http://huttswritinglounge.wordpress.com at least once a week.
We certainly had plenty of exercise that’s for sure…maybe a little more than I wanted this time around! It was such a relief to find the dogs safe and well.
What a pity about your blog…I shall check out your new one.xxx
Oh, Dina, I know that panic when the pups disappear and are off on an adventure while I’m desperately calling and imagining all sorts of possible mishaps: soooo glad for the happy ending! And grateful for the beautiful photos and adventure stories…such glorious views and sweet memories. Thank you! When I can’t sleep, I sometimes to go to a Lake District property site and browse among enchanted estates for my dream home. I always like the old rambling stone homes with wonderful views and amazing gardens. 🙂
It’s the worst possible feeling isn’t it Kitty? The dread I felt was hideous, they could have been anywhere especially in the excitement of first arriving, the thoughts that went through my mind…phew….the relief when I found them….and all the time locked in the bedroom!
Lol….that’s something we have in common, browsing Lakeland property, I have been on the lookout for years but the prices are way too high, especially for what you get. It is such a beautiful place though with some stunning homes….but funnily enough I wouldn’t want to live there now, after the scare with the dogs it’s made me realise how vulnerable dogs are around livestock and gun ho farmers….
Thanks so much Kitty.xxx
I’m the same way about guns, so I get it, but as long as I’m fantasizing when I search for dream homes, money is no object and all the neighbors are peaceful and acres away. 🙂 Now, when I’m in the Lakes District search, I’ll imagine you and the menagerie (and your husband, of course) as my closest neighbors, so we can share a cuppa and visit garden centers together!
Hahahaha….maybe I should just fantasize too…now that would be a match made in heaven us being neighbours….yes, we could go out and about and baby sit each others creatures and swop seedlings and plants….and have wonderful chinwags and laugh our heads off….and on the warm, balmy evenings we’d sit out on around a chiminea and drink wine and play guitar and sing!!! Now how smashin’ would that be?xxx
Dear Dina! Hiiiiiiiiiiiiii! How are you? Amazing post and I loved every bit of it, specially the beautiful pictures. I missed you so much. How is everything? I see you’ve moved house, haven’t you? Did you finally sell the boat? By the way as a Non-UK reader what is the BOOK-thing about? 😀
P.S OOOOYYYY xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
OYYYYYYYYYYY Vahid, lovely to hear from you. I hope you and the Princess are well.
I have missed you too and have often wondered how things are going. All is well here, we’re still in the same house but have sold the boat, I do miss it but we didn’t have the time to use it very often.
I have a copy of a book called the Cut Flower Patch is any non-UK reader wants it…so if you do let me know.
OYYYYYYYYY XXXXXXX
Apart from the worrying experience thinking that Annie and Sam had run off and the extended hike when you took the wrong turn it sounds as if you all had a good break in the Lakes! Wonderful views – love the blue of the bluebells – and I’m not surprised you’re missing such a beautiful place to ramble in and enjoy being on the water.
I’ve been going to the Lakes twice a year for a long time now yet this was the first time I’ve seen bluebells everywhere, it was stunning, the hills and fields were covered with them and I think the view will be even better in a few weeks.
I’m so pleased the dogs were safe, that was some scare and we certainly did some hard walks too….a week to remember for sure..thanks Linda.xxx
Beautiful pictures, dear Dina. I like the fog enveloping the view… get some hint of mystery 😉 I think the dogs did enjoy the escapade… Thank you for sharing :-)c
Thanks Claudine, oh the mists over the mountain are so beautiful, full of magic and mystery, you would love them.
The dogs loved it, it’s a perfect haven for them. xxx
You wrote so earnestly about the missing dogs, I was breathless when you finally found them…and then you hauled me up the mountain until I was exhausted…lovely views though…and then more walking… and this is a vacation! Oh my…at least it all ended well and sounds like you had a most enjoyable time…I have to have a lie down now.
Hahahaha…..I’ve had to have several lie downs after that week, especially after the fright over the dogs, it’s probably the worst possible place to lose them! I think that walk was the worst we’ve been on, but as you say fantastic views!!! I do love the place, booked again to go back next year. Thanks Glo.xxx
I know that sick feeling when dogs vanish and I can just imagine how you felt knowing that there was livestock about, too – thank goodness they were safe and sound – if a bit bewildered!
I love all the photos of them having so much fun and looking out across the water!
Crikey – it does sound like you did a lot of hiking. I love walking but it’s not so much fun getting lost.You’ve earned those glasses of wine!
It really is a terrible feeling when they disappear isn’t it, we are always so careful with doors and gates so it was quite a shock, the thought that they could have been shot had me petrified….the farmers up there wouldn’t hesitate! It was so funny to see their faces, they clearly thought I’d gone mad!
They love boats now which is great as they can always come with us, I don’t like leaving them indoors when they can enjoy the big wide world…
Lol….I think that hike was the longest and hardest we’ve ever done, when you sit down it’s impossible to get up again! Thanks Wendy.xxx
Phew! Fabulous pictures…and breath-taking narrative….left be gasping – I like the phrase….’…felt I’d worn my
soulssoles out’….;) Great place to ramble….The Lakes! Thanks D! Hugs!Lol….thanks Bushka. Oh yes, you can’t beat the lakes for a great walk or two! I’m still a little worn out though!xxx
What stunning scenery ! I had to laugh about you two running around trying to find the dogs and finding them in the spare room. :))
And that photo of one of your doggies standing up on the bench to look over the side of the boat is brilliant !
Hope you are all reenergised after your holiday :
Thanks for sharing those pics xxx
It is such a gorgeous place isn’t it? and it’s only a couple of hours away. I’d love to live there but the prices of homes there are astronomical….
We laughed too once we found them, but the fright lingered for quite a while, I began to think I’d never see them again!
The dogs love the boats which is a good thing as we are planning to go to Ireland on a ferry at some point.
I must say, I’m still rather exhausted, but do have some lovely memories. Thanks Keggs.xxx
What a beautiful part of the country. Sounds like the dogs had more than their share of fun. You and your husband are hardier souls than I with those hikes!
It is a very beautiful place Jason…..totally unspoilt. The dogs love it there and so do we. Thanks Jason.xxx
Wow, that was one scarey experience – thank goodness the dogs were safe and sound … but had they been hiding from you??? Great that Annie is now so well-behaved – that’s your patient training for you!
I used to love walking in the Lakes and discovering tarns. Darn old arthritis in foot has kyboshed that bit of fun! I shall enjoy it vicariously through your pix :wave:
Oh, it really was awful Gilly, you wouldn’t believe the images of Sam getting shot that were running through my mind! When I first arrived at the cottage I checked all the rooms and found a large moth in the spare bedroom which I put out [As it fluttered off a blue tit swooped on it and ate it!] The dogs must have followed me in and I then locked them in there!
It’s wonderful to have Annie off lead, she is so obedient….unlike his Lordship who is distracted by everything!
They do have some beautiful lakes and tarns don’t they, every corner you turn seems to have magical views…Thanks Gilly.xxx
An enjoyable, if slightly exhausting, post and terrific photos.
Thank goodness that the dogs hadn’t run off. I couldn’t do those walks nowadays. xx
Thanks Flighty….I must say I struggle to do the climbing at times….Oh, I was SO happy to find the dogs safe and sound, I’ve never seen them looking so bewildered!xxx
That’s great new about the book 0 I’ll email me address straight away.
As for the dogs I’d have been just the same. Some lovely scenery around there but when you mentioned he wrong side of the mountain I thought you should have been in Yorkshire.
Hope you enjoy the book Sue, I did.
Oh the scare we got when we thought we’d lost the dogs….sickened I was.
Ha! Yes….I think we were heading for Yorkshire at one point! Thanks Sue.xxx
What a workout! Sounds like a strenuous vacation! You might need another vacation just to recover. :o)
Lol….it is hard work but so rewarding view wise….oh yes, another holiday is always called for! Thanks Casa.xxx
Rather you than me with the mountains – I can only do flat these days – sounds like you enjoyed it though. Your dog story did make me chuckle I can imagine the panic only to find them safe and sound – it’s a good job they didn’t leave the house to come and look for you while you were looking for them – that would have complicated the issue. Nice to have you back.
Ha!! Now there’s a scary thought….the looking for us while we were looking for them, the mind boggles it does!!!
I do love the mountains and am constantly drawn to climb them even though it’s hard work, by mid week my legs are constantly burning and when we get home we are always shattered! But the scenery….breathtaking it is and so very liberating to be so high up….thanks Elaine.xxx
It sounds an eventful week. I can imagine what a panic you were in when the dogs were missing, I’d have been the same, yet there they were being as good as gold. Well done to Sue, I know she’s been wanting to get her hands on a copy of this book so she’ll be as pleased as punch to have won your giveaway.
I always think of the Lakes as a working holiday….so many hills and mountains to climb, but I do love it.
Oh….I must say it was a horrible half an hour spent looking for the dogs, the mind does run a way with itself doesn’t it. I was so happy to see them!!!
I hope Sue enjoys the book! Thanks Jo.xxx