I’ve spent much of this past autumn and winter convalescing and slowly rebuilding fitness; this has resulted in lots of solitary wandering through the local woodlands and the gentler hills at dusk. It’s one of the best occasions to meet fellow creatures. Twilight is bewitching, often beautiful light and the rarely-seen daytime wildlife is actively preparing to nestle down or awaken.
Continue reading “Owl-Light Walking.”
Today is the winter solstice, the shortest day and the longest night of the year. It feels appropriate to send out blessings and some winter news from Ambleside; the hub of the English Lake District!
Continue reading “Solstice Greetings and News From Ambleside”
I gazed upwards at the silent velvet sky, a twinkling Venus and the millions of tiny glowing stars. Over in the west a creamy sliver of new moon slowly emerged above the inked out fells. A contented sigh slipped from my lips…only a bivvy could provide such pleasures.
Continue reading “Just A Little Bivvy”
Sleeping on the ground has always been my favourite and most comfortable setting for a good slumber. Perhaps, due to a background in camping that began in the Girl Guides Brigade. Back-garden camps spread to disused railway bridges, caves and nearby fields or woods.
Continue reading “Where Can I Camp Tonight?”
“Some books leave us free and some books make us free”- Ralph Waldo Emerson.
At the moment, unusually, I have plenty of spare time to read books. I mean physical books, not the online or Kindle versions.
Continue reading “Lose Yourself In A Good Book!”
During my cycling travels, I often stop and chat with other cyclists, sharing tales, exchanging news and generally having a chin wag! It was surprising how many cycle tourers or otherwise had never heard of the https://www.warmshowers.org/ international cycling support network.
Continue reading “Warmshowers For All!”
“The rain to the wind said,
‘You push and I’ll pelt.’
They so smote the garden bed,
that the flowers actually knelt,
And lay lodged – though not dead.
I know how the flowers felt.” …Poet; Robert Frost
Gazing outwards from the mist-swathed Oban hills, I could see that the day was likely to be just as the weather forecast had predicted…wet! On the horizon, low grey clouds met the sea and it was impossible to be sure where the sea began and the clouds ended.
Continue reading “Dilly Dallying in Dalavich!”
Some of you may have noticed a recent lack of activity on this blog. Life has been busy, unfortunately, but there has been time to enjoy a few walks with close friends. Normally, I post more local photos on my Twitter page (@LivingTLOL) than here. So, perhaps a short iPhone image diary of treasured walks might be enjoyed by those of you who aren’t Twitter fans and love to wander in the Lakes!
Continue reading “Ambling near Ambleside!”
“When I go biking I am mentally far, far away from civilisation. The world is breaking someone else’s heart.” ~ Diane Ackerman, poet.
On awakening the next morning, a sea mist had rolled in, and the cloud cover looked ominously low. I decided to leave on the midday ferry for the drier climes of Arran.
Continue reading “Away To Islay Part Two!”
“You have no such accurate remembrance of a country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” Ernest Hemingway.
It was time to escape.
During the long busy summer at work in Ambleside, a deep inner longing had developed. A yearning, for quiet, stillness and serenity. The opportunity to take deep breaths…to breathe out with the earth.
Continue reading “Away To Islay. Part One!”
Living This Life 0ut Loud 