Ullswater – Around the world with Evie Bean

Ferry and walk roundtrip – Glenridding to Howtown – 02/02/20

Yet another wet day, we decide to head out but stay low. And for something a bit different we jump on the Ullswater steamer.

Evie gets an ice-cream treat to go with our hot drinks on this cold wet day!

Plenty of ferry to be explored at we steam down the lake. We even get to change boats at Aira Force, so double the exploring to be had!

Flying her flag in the wind with a good lake view.

Once off the ferry it’s time to start walking. Evie wants to walk to but we manage to persuade her that a carry is good for a little while.

One we get up above Sandwick Evie is determined that it is very much time for her to walk!

So this is her section of the Ullswater way, maybe not all today for her!

Time for a nana. Need to get the energy levels back up again!

Evie walks the shore line as I swim widths of the bay in the short spell of dry that we get. Then it is time to pack up and keep going.

Evie determined for more walking – especially in the streams and rivers. Tim speeds ahead to get the car so that we can get home before its dark!

A wet but fun day out!

New Year’s Day 2020 – Ullswater

A different day to yesterday with regards the weather, colder and damper. We set off for a stroll and a bike from Glencoyne on Ullswater , as it is a nice undulating little org.

Daddy and Evie have good chats as she bikes along, with the odd carry.

Then onto the beach to watch…

Her crazy mummy meet her crazy friends for a crazy New Years swim!

Happy 2020

Getting to grips with the bike!

Meeting up over the Christmas holidays with Sam and Paula, Evie has her first proper attempt at balance biking.

Evie picks up some important bike skills from her buddy Sam who is already whizzing around!

They enjoy going around the trees and of course through the muddy puddles.

Got to save a bit of energy for throwing stones in the lake.

Having finished with stone throwing they are ready to head back. Some biking, and some mummy carrying the bike!!

A good first proper ride out though!

Watching a fell race – 7/9/19

Auntie Imo was doing a big fell race local to us – The Grizedale Horseshoe- so we thought we would go and watch. It turned into a fun packed afternoon following a morning of jobs.

We walked against the flow of the race down the beautiful Grizedale valley to get to the river crossing, where we made it in time to watch the runners cross the river,

Including Auntie Imo

Of course then Evie HAD to go in the river, fall in the river, need a change of clothes…. before heading to the finish line.watching the runners last rediculously steep climb up

We took the gentler route up past Lantys Tarn, which had gorgeous reflections

At the finish line we finally (all previous plans having gone wrong) met cousin Sam and Omi, and went for some well deserved late lunch for all.

Walking back to Patterdale we came across a secret door!

And then we finished our afternoon meeting up with Daddy and going for a gentle paddle board.

Action packed, we headed home ready for sleeps.

Down at the lake – July 2019

We had a week where after work the weather was so nice that routine was let go and we headed down to Ullswater for some lake fun

One evening was paddling, stone throwing (a swim for mummy) and an unsuccessful picnic; too much going on to want to eat!

Then we had our first venture out solo on the paddle board – not so sure at first – we kept super shallow.

But then Evie settled happily into it so long as she was securely wrapped in my legs!

Hopefully the first of many paddle board adventures to come!

A Christmas walk around the base of Hallin Fell

On a damp December morning we set off for a Christmas walk with Evie’s new baby friends (Bella, Willow, Oliver and Evan) and their mummy’s (Helen, Paula, Claire and Lou).

Parking at St Peters Church in Martindale, with the normal faff factor of multiple mums and babies, we set off down towards Howtown with the wind and rain on our backs.

What used to be one of my favourite easy off road runs makes a nice easy walk with a baby in a pack and lovely views without going up, perfect for wet weather days.

The other nice thing about this walk is it’s circular. On nicer days there are a number of gorgeous picnic and swimming spots and even a cliff jump into Ullswater. Maybe save that for when this bunch are a bit older!

Of course a damp walk must be rewarded with a nice cafe for a warm up tea and food! Granny Dowbekins in Pooley Bridge fulfils this job very nicely, especially with a big table and multiple high chairs.

This is where the Christmas outfits could finally be shown off !

A glorious October day

We woke to a beautiful sunrise and a forecasted amazing day.

How to make the most of it (apart from drying 3 loads of washing?!).

I decided to get out the bike and Chariot and cycle us to Penrith to get the food shopping and, most importantly, take Evie to Rattle and Drum, a session she seems to love.

Even better, whilst I was enjoying the biking and the colours, she had two good morning sleeps!

Then (after more washing), I met up with Jess and her Osh, and we walked along Haweswater to the Forces.

We had a nice picnic and I believe the bubas enjoy each other’s company, Evie slightly frustrated that she can’t yet walk to chase Osh around. A great place to enjoy the autumn colours and listen to the deer rutting.

Then onwards, we said bye to Jess & Osh and Tim came and met us at Pooley Bridge for an amazing sunset.

He and Evie chilled

I swam (brrrrr – getting cold in there)

And then after a lot of excitement in one day, it was time for home, bath and tea!

Swimming on a cool & windy autumn day

Summer has definitely cleared of, but the desire to continue swimming in the Lakes hasn’t!

However the days of just going to the lake have gone as now I need to follow in the steps of my friends and organise my swims around my baby. So today this meant going with someone happy to look after Evie whilst I swam, and then swap!

You would think this happy little bundle wouldn’t mind me going for a dip, especially when she had Josie as a doting babysitter!

However, hopefully just a ‘stage’, but apparently she cried for most of the time I swam….

Back to shore and a very quick change (it’s got cold) before consoling an upset Evie whilst trying to warm up.

But once she realised I was back to stay it was all smiles again! We all squeezed in to the much needed pop up wind shelter (I think I need one of these in my life) for a picnic

And it was laughs and giggles once more

Then sadly time for home, what a lovely way to spend a day, getting stupidly cold and catching up with friends!

The Marmalade March – 5 miles

Just did a lovely local walk today with Evie and mum, on paths I had never been on before. A loop you can do from either Dalemain House (the home of the Marmalade Festival held each March), or from Pooley Bridge.

5 miles of undulating terrain, through fields, a bit of road , some wood and some track. Nice if you want something gentle, but parts not buggyable.

We set off from Dalemain across the fields , where we had a surprisingly good view of Askham fell.

Past a small lake / big pond

Then down to the river, which we had a couple of lovely picnic (and swim) spots

As well as a large family of swans, with a highly successful brood of signets

Evie checked our route before continuing on our way

And then it was up a small hill through the Dunmallard woods

We made a stop off at Dacre Church, which is worth a small detour to visit, very pretty

It also has four bears in the graveyard (or possibly lions – the jury is out). Nobody knows the reason for their existence but they are very old.

Past Dacre castle

Some old and unusual stone gateposts

And bambi!

Before finishing off in the medieval cafe at Dalemain (you’ll have to visit there yourself as no photos allowed). I can recommend the Gluten Free lemon drizzle cake!!!

Gowbarrow – 13/05/18

For Evie’s second Wainwright we needed a small and local one, as we were still getting used to having a baby, I was still sore and Evie was still under 6 weeks old. So we set off up Gowbarrow. However, Tim decided that we should try a new route, so rather than going up the main path it turned instead into a bit of an adventure.

The path turned into a bit of a non path, so some heather bashing and a bit of scrambling were required to actually get to the cairn on top. But it was worth it. Another amazing day and stunning view looking down over Ullswater, not that Evie saw it as once again she was asleep at the top!

We then followed a real path, though not our normal one, to get back down…. glad it was dry as normally I think it would be a bog!

21/10/18

A regular walk of ours, it being close to home. But today was one of those cracking days with beautiful late afternoon light, autumnal colours…. and Evie awake at the top!