British Summertime.

-
This weekend marked the start of British Summertime with the clocks moving forward an hour today. The weather for the first time this year was good on both days.

Saturday was forecast to be dry with some hazy sunshine so we headed to Ambleside to complete the Fairfield Horseshoe. An early start saw us heading off just after 9 so the first leg of the round over Heron Pike and Great Rigg and then onto Fairfield was quiet. There was a cool easterly breeze but it was great to be able to see cloud free tops. 
As we had a hot drink and some food on the summit the crowds started to appear and the next leg over Hart Crag to Dove Crag was busy. However, from here back to Ambleside we seemed to loose most folk. By the time we were down it really was like a summers day and we had a pleasant wander around the shops before heading to Keswick where we had our tea in the Bank Tavern.

Susan 'going well' on Heron Pike.


Looking towards Fairfield.


On Great Rigg.


The final leg to Fairfield.


Still some snow on the summit.


Heading down to Ambleside.


Crossing High Sweden Bridge.



Today the sun was shining as we headed out on the bikes for Buttermere. This was our longest ride of the year so far but felt quite easy. A Cafe stop in the village was a must and the Carrot Cake was excellent. Despite a 'blow out' puncture on the way home, when I hit one of the many potholes on route, we thoroughly enjoyed being out in warm sunshine for a change. Hopefully we'll be able to get many more road miles in over the coming months.

 A wee rest - 'it is Mothers Day'.


Blue sky and sunshine.


Going well on route to the Cafe.


Nearly there!!!!


Luxury Cafe stop.




Heading home along Crummock Water.


A short stop in the sun.


In Lorton.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A week in Scotland.

-
Image
A week ago now we had an excellent 8 days up in Scotland spending time in Symington, Aviemore and Glasgow. We drove up to Symington on Friday 7 July and on the Saturday had a great ride to Peebles where, of course, we visited Cocoa Blacks for a wee treat. On Sunday we were up early and heading north to Aviemore and the Glenmore Campsite - one of my favourites despite changes in recent years. We had a leisurely drive but still had time for a ride once we'd 'set up camp'. Our route was a circuit to Boat of Garten and then a steep climb up the 'Ski Road' to the base of the Cairngorm Ski Station. This reached 20% in places and Susan wondered why we needed to do it. The views and the descent made it worthwhile.  The weather forecast for Monday wasn't too bad so we decided on a walk in the mountains. We drove up to the Ski Station and then headed for Scotland's second highest top Ben Macdui. It was overcast but dry as ...
Read more

Week off.

-
Image
Susan had last week off work and typically the weather has been very changeable.  On seeing the forecast we decided not to travel up north. The first weekend and Monday was spent in Dumfries and Symington and we cycled on all three days in mixed weather. A red dot in a sea of green - climbing over to Glenkiln. Higher on the climb over to Glenkiln, Dumfries. Disappearing towards Glenkiln.   On the road to New Abbey, Dumfries. Climbing out of New Abbey. On Tuesday we decided to head off on a short camping trip to the south Lakes. Due to the 6 month closure of the Keswick to Ambleside road we've not been beyond Dunmail Raise so this was a great change of scene. We headed first to Coniston to walk the fells above the village something we've not done for 10 years. Again the weather wasn't great for July but we got some great views and thoroughly enjoyed the round. On the Walna Scar Road. Threatening clouds above the fells. ...
Read more

Happy New Year.

-
Image
We decided to stay in Cumbria this New Year - a first for Susan!!! Thankfully the weather was much better than over the Christmas period and we were out on the hill every day. Hogmanay was overcast and windy but it was dry and we had a good day climbing over Bannerdale Crags and Blencathra. There were few people out but when we went into Keswick it was busier than ever. Dropping in to the Glenderamackin valley. A makeshift bridge across the burn - the bridge was washed away in Storm Desmond 2015. Climbing up onto the east ridge of Bannerdale Crags. On the east ridge . Some easy scrambling. Nearing the top. Good views despite the cloud. The sun trying to break through as we reach the summit. Heading for Blencathra. Susan battles into a strong wind. Looking to Thirlmere from a very windy summit. Looking to Derwent Water. On the descent. Dropping down to Scales Tarn to try and get out o...
Read more