Round the valley

 

Today was the day for our traditional round the valley yomp, though it was a slow affair today, as we stopped in lots of places. We go left on to the road, then right on to the farm path. From there it's a fine view of Ann's white house, High Bield, against the mountain side.

On we go, past Herdwick sheep, to the ancient stone Slater's Bridge. That's where Lesley's sister Mary once went paddling in shallow water. Today the stream was in spate. 

We rurn right at the kissing gate to a stony path which goes steeply uphill past the Yorkshire Ramblers cottage.

Then we usually stop for a sit on a very high and uncomfortable bench above a field containing Aberdeen Angus cattle. 

Then it's a fairly level walk across the valley to the road which takes us back to Ann's. 

The road is quite busy with cars and Land Rovers pulling sheep trailers. So L keeps an ear out, and we huddle into the verge while they pass. We have noticed again that the many blackberries in the hedges are mostly withered and dead after thus summer's drought. 

Finally we turn left into Ann's drive, the very steep last leg which is liberally covered in Herdy crap. 

Home again, and we had lunch of bread, cheese and beef, interrupted by two sorties of Eurofighters racing down the valley at warp speed. Afterwards, L drove to Dove Cottage to a workshop of Dove Cottage Poets while Nic did pro bono work online.

N lit the fire. We read. He cooked gammon. We watched Celebrity Traitors. Slept.