The travels continue

Well, highlights of the last 10 days in the North of England have included ....

....parking up for 2 nights in a wonderfully secluded spot on the Whinlatter road near Keswick with Bassenthwaite Lake below...

... where there was the most amazing old oak tree ...

... and from where we rode the Whinlatter Altura Trail (North Loop) and Quercus on the mountain bikes which was some of the most technical riding I have ever done and great fun! The views to Skiddaw were wonderful before we got drenched in a downpour on the way back

Highlight 2 - catching up with my sis and going for a lovely walk with her up on Askham Moor where we parked up for the night... an idyllic spot by anybody standards....

We were however rudely awakened at 04.50 by a Lowther Park warden asking us to move on, which was a surprise considering how wild the moor is, but it wasn't for us to argue! Move on we did.

Highlight 3 - parking up for 2 nights at the Walna Scar parking spot in the shadow of the Old Man of Coniston and with a view of Weatherlam before us

Of course we had to do the run up to the Old Man with Levers Water looking lovely in the sun....

 ... up to the top with far-reaching views to the East...

and then back down via Goat Water beneath Dow Crag

It was a cracking run out in perfect weather!

Highlight 4 - a cracking mountain bike ride in warm sun in the Howgills where we have spent the past 2 nights.  The horrendous push (literally) up was more than rewarded by stunning views and spectacular scenery

We rewarded ourselves for our efforts with a pint at the pub! Now, I do miss my real ale, it has to be said.

So, we have 'wild camped' in some amazing spots but we have also spoilt ourselves by staying on sites with 'facilities'. We avoid the big camping and caravanning sites like the plague, choosing instead small farms where they have facilities for emptying waste, where we can top up with water and, if we are really pushing the boat out, where we can also have a shower without worrying about our own gas and water consumption and ideally from where we can also walk to the pub! It's great fun!

The downsides so far? Well, at times it has been a right royal pain in the butt trying to find somewhere to pull over that also has a 3G signal for mobile internet. This is the problem with running an internet-based business. I have to have internet access. The Central Lakes and the Yorkshire Dales are particularly problematic from this point of view, which has meant we have been unable to take full advantage of the parts of the country that most appeal to us.

But tonight, we are parked up in a farmer's field just outside Ingleton - water and waste disposal are available and peace and quiet are assured - what more could you want for a fiver!