Another catch-up!!!!!

As I write this the rain is falling heavily outside and it feels like summer has ended early in Cumbria. It seems a good time to look back at the Spring and Summer to date. Culter has had a big impact on what we've been doing but he is getting more and more capable and is a great wee companion.

The following is a summary of some of what we've done:

Culter starts the Wainwright's.

I would love to complete the 214 Wainwright Fells with Culter so started his round in early Spring when he was 4 months old. At this age it had to be a relatively easy hill so I chose Sale Fell. The ascent was made more challenging by a covering of snow but he managed very well and by chance we met another Border Terrier who only had 12 more Wainwright's to complete.

Out in the fells on a gorgeous April day.

The summit of Sale Fell - Wainwright number 1.

We have now completed 20 Wainwrights together - most of them with Susan. The photos below give a flavour of these days out.

Approaching the top of Ling Fell in April.

Ling Fell Trig point.

Climbing Binsey at the end of April.

Binsey summit.

The steep climb on Rannerdale Knotts - mid May.

Having a wee rest.

Rannerdale Knotts.

Rannerdale.

The Rannerdale Bluebells.

Heading for the top of Barf on a cloudy day in June.

Barf summit.

On the ridge up Barrow in June.

Barrow ticked.

A June evening on Whinlatter.

Whinlatter top.

A really hot June day on Knott Rigg and Ard Crags.

A wee drink stop.

A typical Culter BT pose!!

A great day out on the hill.

Another hot day on the hill in June - Loughrigg.

Already at home in the fells.

Loughrigg Fell.

In mid June we decided to take the 'wee man' into the high fells. Not to climb a summit but to see how he'd cope on more rocky ground. On another 'heat wave' day we completed a circuit from Seathwaite in Borrowdale over Sty Head Pass. It was a brilliant day out with our new team member.

Climbing up Grains Gill.

Heading to Sprinkling Tarn.

Cooling down in the tarn.

Seeking out some shade.

Another cool down stop.

From mid-July the weather became more changeable in Cumbria but we remained active and more new Wainwright's were ticked. We even did two with visitors from the USA - Alec and Ale.

Heading for Hen Comb.

The team on Hen Comb summit.

On Blake Fell.

In the shelter on Blake Fell.

On King's How - Grange Fell - we also went over to the higher Brund Fell.

Lunch just below Brund Fell top.

Heading off for Carrock Fell.

Carrock Fell summit.

The team again - on High Pike.

Taking a break on the descent.

Moody skies on the way up Melbreak

The terrace on the north ridge.

North summit - 'twas raining on the south one.

Walking back on the shores of Crummock Water.

Climbing Gavel Fell on a better day.

On the summit.

On High Rigg in the rain.

Not all sunny skies.

High Rigg top.

Looking for the 'old man'!!!!

A dreich day on Wainwright number 20 Latrigg above Keswick.

The summit and not a view in sight.

A pleasing start to the wee dug's Wainwright round but a long way to go. He loves being out on the hill and certainly has the energy for bigger days. He's also confident all types of ground.

Scottish days.

We of course want to get Culter up some Scottish hills including Munros. He's already done a few including Culter Fell (twice) the one he's named after. These pictures show some of the Scottish day's out:

On Tinto - it was too much for him on a hot day in May so he and I only got half way.

Two day's later we headed for Culter Fell.

Taking a break on the climb.

His first time on 'his fell' - not sure how many times Susan has been up!!!

Cooling down in the River Clyde near Symington. A month later he swam for the first time near here!!!

Climbing White Meldon near Peebles.

The summit - a first for Susan and I as well.

Taking a break on the descent.

Heading up into the Broughton Heights.

The summit of Hammer Head.

Heading up Tinto on a much cooler day in June.

Tinto Tap for the first time - it won't be the last!!!!

Back on his Fell

Approaching the summit.

Right on top this time!!!

Longer days and nights out.

As a part of his socialisation Culter has had some day visits and over-nights in the local Kennels. This has allowed us to have some bigger days on the high fells. Some of these were on cracking days but not all.

The first day out on the Grasmoor fells at the end of April was a overcast but dry:

The weather was similar for this day out on the Red Pike to Haystacks ridge above Buttermere in May:

We hit the weather jackpot for the first 'over nighter' and had two great days out. The first was a long traverse from Catstye Cam to St. Sunday Crag on a red hot day:

The second was an ascent of Scafell Pike which was remarkably quiet:

The weather on the second over nighter was not so good but we still had two long days. On the first we linked Skiddaw and Blencathra from Keswick. The best section was on Blencathra when the cloud finally  parted to give great views:

The second day on the Newlands Round started in sunshine but ended in the rain:

Thanks to Susan I've also had two great mid-week over night outings. For many years I've wanted to wild camp high in the fells on mid-summers night. The weather has, however, never been that good. BUT this year's heat wave provided the ideal conditions. I left home at 6.30pm and climbed Lingmell, above Wasdale, for sunset. I camped just below the summit, woke early for sunrise and was home by 7.30am.

Wasdale on a perfect evening.

Scafell and Hollow Stones.

Camp on Lingmell looking down Wasdale.

Sunset.

Sunrise.

Watching the sun rise in the east.

Packed up ready to head home.

Having had a summer camp and with more good weather forecast I set out a couple of weeks later to Bivi on the summit of Atkinson Pike on Blencathra. It was another great night.

On the summit of Blencathra late evening.

Watching the sunset.

The moon above my Bivi.

Watching sunrise.

Ready to head home early in the morning.

Cycling.

Our cycling has been limited as Culter can't 'come along'  and we can't leave him for more than 4 hours. We have, however, built up the cycling fitness since the spring enjoying rounds from home and Symington. I promised Susan that she could do a big 'Reservoir' round from Symington and she completed this 75 miler on a glorious June day - Culter and I lent our support. May be we need to get a wee trailer for next year  - we've seen a BT in one in Keswick with a big grin on his face.

An early ride in April.

The open road - heading west from home.

Spring in Cumbria,

A superb day in May.

Tackling Dreva in the Borders.

Dreva again.

Enjoying a ride from home.

Susan heading out on her long ride.

I left her after 9 miles here in Broughton.

Culter and I met her in Moffat after 40 miles plus.

Heading up the Beef Tub.

Almost back to Broughton.

A great day on a wee loop around Tinto.

I've also been on a few rides with ex-colleagues from Whitehaven School. Pete Baines, who I've climbed and walked with for years, was looking to get fit after a nasty DIY accident. Richard Morton, who I've also climbed and walked with,  has just taken up road cycling and wants to build up his distance.

Pete heading for Allonby on the Cumbrian Coast.

Richard heading for Buttermere.

Richard climbing Whinlatter Pass.

Fix the Fells.

I've not been able to volunteer on Fridays but again Susan has stepped in and has looked after Culter on 7 Saturdays to allow me to continue 'Fixing'. Hopefully I'll get my 12 days in before the end of the year.

I've been out on both dry and wet days.

A dry Drain Run on Skiddaw and Carl Side at the start of Summer:

A wet August Drain Run above Borrowdale:

The coast.

We've spent many hours walking Culter on the local stretch of coastline at Harrington Harbour. This has been great for him meeting other dugs and running around off the lead. We've also enjoyed some fantastic seascapes and sunsets.

It could be the Med. on a day like this!!!

Heading down to Costa del Harrington during the summer heat wave.

One of several great sunsets.

Enjoying the sea breeze.

Running free and loving it.

Culter has certainly changed our life. He's been hard work at times but is turning into a great wee dog and we're going to miss him when we head to the Dolomites in a weeks time.

Enjoying a wee cuddle.