Tag Archives: rain

Refilling the Lakes

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A half term trip to the Lakes, during which the weather decided to ensure the country was super hydrated.

We walked up Brant Fell, around Elterwater, took a stream train, got diverted by a flood on a walk near Rydal Water, got blown off a 200 m hill (School Knott), but mostly relaxed by the fire.

Holiday toddler club
Flooding started just outside the gate
Cheerful walk up a hill
Maximising (why is everyone following me off the path?)
Fun on the direct route
Assessing our options for further fun
Someone found a huge puddle
Hmmm, lunch
After too much time in the rucksack, time to run around
Two little hillwalkers
Chilling on a bridge watching the water flow by…
Enjoying hiding from the hail
Winter light above Rydal Water
Still walking!
Rydal Water
PUDDLES!

Pitlochry and Bethesda

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A couple of weekend trips in the last few weeks – one to a cottage near Pitlochry to meet family, the other to a bunkhouse near Bethesda to meet friends.

The cottage in Pitlochry was suitably old and drafty but held great views over the the autumn colours in the glen. Forecasts for 50 mph gusts and 50% chance of cloud free summits made the 3 tops of Beinn a’Ghlo the objective for Saturday. With weather worsening in the afternoon, we sped along the ridge to have lunch on the last top, descending the south ridge and enjoying the long tramp back to the car in sunshine. Good views from the first two tops, and occasional glimpses from the last. The wind was also less than expected.

The next day was spent cycling through the autumn colours, which we had forgotten were quite so good in that part of the country. A bit of rain damped things, but better than expected.

A final morning was spent with a quick walk through the woods before heading home.

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Wales the weekend after was a different story. With high winds and continuous rain forecast, we headed up to Carnedd y Filiast, Elider Fawr and onto Foel Goch and Y Garn. It didn’t stop raining and the wind made sure we were thoroughly wet. The wind coming off the NE ridge of Y Garn was enough to blow us over a couple of times. The log fire back in the bunkhouse was well earned and appreciated.

Sunshine tempted us on Sunday to go for another walk, so we headed up around the northern Carneddau, on which it rained for an hour or so. Luckily the sun came out on the way down, and we finally dried off, before finding ourselves deep in farm mud a few metres from the road.

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Photos from Scotland and Seathwaite

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Here are some photos from our recent trip to Scotland (most of which is described in the post below).

After escaping from the Onich traffic jam, we made our way to Glenfinnan to position ourselves for a round of the two Munros there, Sgurr nan Coireachan and Sgurr Thuilm, the next day.  After a nice walk up the long track to Glenfinnan Lodge, the weather got us again, and we spent the rest of the day battling rain, wind and snow in the clouds.  We were glad to follow a couple of sets of footprints, which we later found to have been left by Michael and Alex P two days previously!  We made it round slightly quicker then expected due to favourable snow conditions, and as we descended out of the blizzard, the sun shone incredibly over the glen.

After four “quality winter days” we were very glad to spend the evening and welcome the new year in the company of friends at Borrodale House near Arisaig, where we were warmly welcomed with tea, sherry, enthusiasm, and a singing lobster.

The next day we got up in the light for the first time of the trip, and enjoyed a stroll along the beach before heading south.

Two days later we were back in the hills, this time joining CUHWC at Seathwaite in Borrowdale for the weekend.  The weather was no better than it had been in Scotland, but there was considerably less snow on the ground.  Our walks took us from Buttermere to Seathwaite via Robinson, Hindscarth and Dale Head, and over Eagle Crag and Sergeant’s Crag.

Glen Lyon Munros
Meall nan Aighean
Bridge on the way to Bheinn Fhionnlaidh
Glen Etive from Bheinn Fhionnlaidh
North ridge of Ben Starav
Descending into Glen Finnan
The viaduct
The beach at Borrodale House
Buttermere
Heading for Dale Head
The snow ghost of Dale Head
The road to Seathwaite
Summit of Eagle Crag

working for nothing

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So on Monday, Joe came over and we finished cutting the hole in the roof. We then cut up some scraps of wood to make floor batons and a few other pieces to make the floor. This took us most of the afternoon, but as the floor insulation hasn’t arrived yet, and the paint hasn’t dried, we’ve got nothing to show for our efforts. We started on the celotex insulation on sides and roof, but it took longer than anticipated to cut flat board to very curvy van sides. We gave up with just enough time to get a second coat of paint on before dark. We ended up eating at around 10 pm – well worth it for what we got done (despite the photos making it look exactly like the night before)

It’s now raining, so I’m hiding inside tonight (although I did manage to get out to cut the hole in the floor for the gas locker). Hope it dries off soon so I can get the roof vent in and sealed – until then the van is stuck on the drive.

Joe finishes off the roof vent hole
Started on the easier sections to insulate
Rain proof – for a while…

PS Although Joe worked for nothing, he did get dinner and a lot of fun out of it (I hope) – thanks for the invaluable help (and tools)