A Garden, A House and the Life Between

And if you recognise this picture, you’ll see it’s been taken from Buttermere with Haystacks in the distance (the nobbly fell) when I was there just a couple of weekends ago with my good friend Jo.
If you’ve never been to the lakes, this is one place you should come and see as it never fails to show itself in its best light, even in the worst weather, and I have hundreds of pictures to prove this.

I’ve been coming to the Lake District for over 20 years hiking, climbing, canoeing and doing outdoor challenges and it has always felt like home, hence the move to Cumbria just over 2 years ago. The desire to purchase the small paddock at the side of our house was two fold; firstly to ensure it couldn’t be built on and secondly to establish a garden to encourage wildlife and nature to visit and be safe. I always say if I won the lottery, and it was a substantial amount, I would buy all of the land in the Lake District that would be otherwise bought to build on and fill it with animals and rangers to look after it all.

When I first started hiking the fells I didn’t even imagine some of the expeditions I would end up doing. I’ve hiked/climbed in the Himalaya (twice from Nepal side and once from India), Russia, the Andes, Kyrgyzstan, the french and swiss alps, Africa and possibly more that I just can’t remember. Some were successful summits, some weren’t, but I’ve always tried to enjoy the whole experience. The highest I’ve climbed is to about 6,400m/21,000ft and it’s hard up there. Less oxygen, less energy, burning more calories and being tired, cold and exhausted, but the experience is something I’ll never forget.

There was a time I was also learning to skydive. I did a tandem for charity and that was it, I was hooked, so I started to learn at the Hibaldstow airfield and did around 7 lessons, jumping from 15,000ft. At first you jump with a coach on each side, and then you go down to one, then none, whilst learning to turn left and right, dip forwards and backwards etc etc. But some tie later I tore my rotator cuff on a hike in the lakes which stopped me from rock climbing at the time and being able to carry a canopy, so my skydiving lessons stopped then and I’ve never gone back. I always think you’re in the right time and place at every moment so if I’m destined to go back then the time will come. I tried rock climbing again but my confidence had plummeted so I do a bit of bouldering at the local climbing gym if hubby and I fancy having another go. To be honest, these days I’m happy hiking, cycling and trail running, plus weight lifting which I’ve always done, so if I don’t get back to the faster more high adrenalin risk stuff, that’s ok with me right now.

And how could I not be happy with that when you see views like these? Just being outdoors at peace with nature, beauty and animals/wildlife is the most satisfying thing I can do these days. Spending time with family and friends is everything and planning ahead so you know the days in front look exciting and fulfilling, is the best thing to do.

Personally I would always recommend making that move to where you want to be in the world for your future plans i.e. retirement, so that you’re ready to enjoy and live your life rather than waiting for it to begin.

My final picture is of these lovely steps into the wood, a steep ascent which I haven’t done for a while. Another friend, Rachel, and I did this many years ago as we set off to do a 6 peak challenge. We were met with thick fog and ended up going round in circles a few times so we headed back down and admitted defeat but boy did we laugh. Failure is ok, but have fun, laugh, make memories, and be outdoors.