I’d had the week booked off from work for months, but we hadn’t got around to booking anything.
Thoughts of Red Rocks, Las Vegas went out the window a long time ago with the post Brexit crazy exchange rates. A quick hot-rock trip to Spain also went out the window when Zac dislocated his hip (needing to save the money in case he needed a hip replacement operation). But in the end, it was probably my continuing struggle with Gilmore Groin that clinched it. Not being very mobile kind of takes the enjoyment out of going anywhere.
But hey ho, the weather was forecasted to be uncharacteristically awesome for this time of year so we were glad to stay at home.
We have a new toy – a Canadian canoe. We thought this would be a great diversion – and we’d thought of trips along the Caledonian Canal at some point – but first we must practice…
We started out on Windermere, launching at Fell Foot. Zac was very nervous at first, but he soon got the hang of it.
The next day I thought I might try a little climbing, but it would have to be easy and with easy access, so as it was very still we went up to Robin Proctor’s Scar. I couldn’t do much, I followed three routes but to be honest it was a bit of a mistake. I felt it that night, and for the next few days! But Pete had a bit of fun going up some of the classic climbs.
The weather stayed glorious, but cold. Pete and Ted climbed at Bramcrag with Steve and John, while I sat in the sun. We had an early finish due to my aches and pains.
We decided another trip in the canoe would be good so we went over to Coniston. We had a great laugh paddling over to Peel Island, making a brew and sunbathing. Zac was getting more and more confident, although he did still want to sit on my lap (not easy for paddling!). We had a comedy moment when Zac fell in, but he loved the opportunity for a swim and it was very easy to grab his harness and pull him back in – the advantages of a small dog.
On the last day of my holiday we went for a bit of a walk on the far side of Ullswater. We had to choose a reasonably short route as I’d be walking slowly. It was absolutely freezing, the wind taking any heat away from the body, but it was really exhilarating and the views west across the mountains were wonderful. Helvellyn was capped in snow.
It was a good week to take off work.
One learns something new every day. I’ve never heard of Gilmore groin – until now. Sounds very uncomfortable. I hope it improves spontaneously with out the need for ‘intervention’.