What I’ve Learned from the Hills

Up until this point, my body had been something I trusted without question. It carried me up hills, across uneven ground, and through long days outdoors without complaint. I had learned to read tired legs and sore feet, to rest when needed and push on when it felt right. Movement felt dependable. Reliable. It was never something I thought twice about.

Today we made the long journey back to Shropshire after four incredible weeks in the Lake District. It was a little sad to pack up and leave behind the fells, the lakes, and the wild spaces that have become our home for the summer. Teddy and Buddy have loved every muddy mile, every summit breeze, and every cosy camp, and so have I.

Ten years ago, I stood on the opposite side of this valley in very different conditions. The weather was foul, cloud clung so low that the fells disappeared into it, the rain lashed sideways, and the path was little more than a stream. I remember trudging along, soaked through, trying to imagine the views I couldn’t see. At the time, I thought: people must be mad if they climb these fells for fun.

Ten years and three days ago, I stood at St Bees with very little idea of what I was doing. I’d never walked up a mountain, I’d never gone further than about ten miles, and I certainly didn’t know what lay ahead of me. But I was there, rucksack on my back, staring at the sign at the start of the Coast to Coast and about to take my first steps on a journey that would change everything.

This latest poodle adventure took us from Keswick to Grasmere, and it was without a doubt my toughest challenge yet.

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Climbing Cat Bells – A Cloudy Summit and Poodle Power

We’ve made it! After the usual road trip chaos, we’ve finally landed in the Lake District for our summer escape. The caravan is set up in its forest spot and our little base camp is ready. It’s quiet, shady and tucked into the trees,  the perfect start to our mountain days and restful evenings.

🌄 A Return to Simplicity, Wild Camping With the poodles. After a rough ride in the Berwyns and a still sore hip, I decided to ease myself back in with a smaller wild camping adventure, heading back to the place where our first night under the stars took shape. With the heatwave lingering, we delayed our start and reached the car park just after 4pm.

New gear day! 💙The KILOS Gear sleeping mat finally arrived — the blue one with the separate pillow that straps on. I was very excited to open this parcel (who doesn’t love new kit?) and first impressions are… actually pretty good!

One night, two poodles, and a whole lot of weather