Hiking
The freedom of the cross-country runner
Cross-country running was and is still my sport - I ran for the school and uni teams and I can still enjoy running, especially in wide open spaces. Latrigg (368 m) is just outside my windows here and I have several routes running the less popular paths, though as a “sports walk” rather than a full-on competitive cross-country or fell run. Today has been a fine afternoon and so it was again a pleasure as a runner to push upwards, enjoy the soft landings on forest paths, lollop over high grassland and fight to maintain balance on the descent. Happily also, hay fever wasn’t a big issue.
Views of the landscapes around Hollingbury, in the South Downs National Park just outside Brighton. Despite status as a National Park, there have been several intrusive developments with more or less sympathetic architecture which have been authorised in recent years.
Family bimble with their two adorable dogs up the riverside from Tarr Steps, a medieval clapper bridge. This is a section of the Two Moors Way and a woodland nature reserve. Although sheltered, Spring hasn’t really started up here. Lots of flow which made the fords and stepping stones impassable on foot. There’s a rope swing over the river, plus other Big Kid opportunities. The dogs loved it too.
The famous clapper bridge has been rearranged many times by storm surges in the River Barle but is currently in fine shape again.
Hiking from Eskdale Green to Blea Tarn in the Western Lakes, walking on coarse-grained granite once out of the woodland but with a chilly wind when out on the fells. Then along the ridge to the stone circles on White Moss (250 m.).
More photos: Blea Tarn - Boot - Stanley Force. Eskdale: Lake District National Park
Fast hike / slow fell run up and down Latrigg, the fell that I see from my kitchen window and garden. Latrigg’s not the Himalayas nor even the Alps: at 368 m. altitude it’s too low to be even a “Wainwright” but it’s so close to home here and I’ve climbed it so often that it’s the hill with which I have a particular relationship.
