… and may be some time. Once a year (when things in the garden are quiet), I escape for a week or two and walk. I walk and think and then I walk some more. This year I’m off to walk the Dales Way; 80 miles through the Yorkshire Dales starting at Ilkley and finishing on the banks of Windermere in the Lake District. I’m then continuing for an extra four days, (and about another forty miles), through three of the finest valleys in Lakeland: Langdale, Wasdale and Borrowdale.
Looking south from the flanks of Skiddaw, The Lake District - February 2010
I’ve pre-booked all my accommodation (ten different B&B’s, pubs and hotels) so if I get held up because of heavy snow, I’m sunk! I’ve got crampons to deal with ice but any really thick snow and I shall just have to burrow into a ‘drift and sit it out. Think of me then, won’t you; stuck in a snow-hole, sipping (medicinal) brandy, nibbling dried apricots. Telling myself jokes. Singing Piaf. Sobbing.
Either that (which I don’t much fancy) or else picture me sat in front of a roaring pub fire, with a pint. For days on end. More likely.
Back in a while, hopefully. Bye then.
The Anxious Gardener 
Hi Dave,
Have a great trip. I would like to nominate you for a Liebster Blog Award. I hope you haven’t already gotten one! Check out my blog for details. Thanks, Michael
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Hi Michael, I have, I’m afraid, been nominated before but I’ll pop over. Thanks so much for thinking of me. Always nice to be thought of!
Dave
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Have the best of times, Dave, however active or inactive they are!
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Thanks Faisal. It was great thanks – if hard work. I WILL get round to doing a post about it. Eventually.
D
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Thanks all (cept Mr K – who always cuts brutally to the chase!) – I survived. Yay! Working on a post for next week.
D
P.S. WW – do it. The Dales Way is marvellous, if too short!
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Yeah I quite agree with Mr. K: this sounds a little insane to me too. I hope this will be a nice adventurous trip though. Bring pictures home!
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Walking holiday in February? Mad, quite mad.
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Oh I’m jealous! Bring back pics!
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Miss you already!
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Have a wonderful time, Dave–looking forward to your photos and stories when you return. Holler if you need us to send out a St. Bernard.
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I will be sitting in the pub with Elaine (metaphorically speaking) Don’t fancy the pint much but a small Highland Park wouldn’t go amiss…
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We had planned to do that walk 2 years ago but things got in the way. I’ll be really interested to hear how you find it. It is such a beautiful part of Britain. I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Lakes but never in winter and I would love to see it with snow on the mountains. Warm, cosy pubs with roaring fires sounds lovely. Have a great time and I look forward to your photos on your return.
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Have lots of fun and looking forward to seeing the photos you’ve taken 🙂 And keep warm!
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It looks like you’ve chosen a better week than last week, the weather seems to be warming to a balmy 7 or 8 degrees. I hope you have a lovely time. Remember to keep your hat on on Ilkley Moor.
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Lovely part of the world, God’s country to some. Enjoy, especially the pubs! Looking forward to the pics on your return.
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Hope you’ve packed your thermals think you’re going to need them – your trip sounds a bit too energetic for me – like the idea of the roaring fires and a pint though. Take lots of pics for us to enjoy won’t you.
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