Grump, grump, grump

I want to be here:




















Or here:























Or here:





















And instead I'm stuck here in Norfolk, short of both petrol money and inspiration.

*sigh*

Mountain dog

Yep, that's what he is alright.

Henry and I (and assorted members of The Family) walked up Scafell Pike on Saturday - for a short while he was the highest dog in England.

The weather was 'orrible (it nearly blew my step-dad over, and he is 6'7" tall and built like the ex-second-row player that he is), and it rained upwards. Oh, and it turns out my waterproof jacket isn't, and my boots have sprung a leak. We got thoroughly cold, damp, and all our muscles ache. Even Henry was cold - and he went through all the cold last winter without so much as a shiver! Also, my mum managed to fall over twice on the way down, and has announced that she has a massive bruise on a rather tender area as a result. Oh and we didn't get a view either - the low cloud meant visibility was down to about ten metres or so - except for the moments when the cloud cleared which were just magic.

In short, it was bloody brilliant, and I can't wait to go walking again. Although I will be getting new boots and a new jacket first - and Henry will be taking his dog jumper as well, just in case!

Sadly no pictures, as the camera got as wet as everything else did!

One other thing - I could not believe the sheer lack of preparation of some people we saw - from the tourists with umbrellas (I thought I was seeing things!) to the people in jeans, no waterproofs and fashion trainers (who looked universally cold and miserable, unsurprisingly). It's no wonder the local Mountain Rescue team are so busy - in fact we saw a Mountain Rescue volunteer heading up there as we came down. I suspect he was checking everyone was off the mountain safely - either that or he's come screeching to a halt in the valley on seeing a pink brolly bobbing up the mountain and was in hot pursuit of its hapless owner! You only have to read their callouts list to see that some people are really not prepared for much more than a walk to the shops when they set off up the mountain.

I can't currently walk downstairs without wincing, but I can't wait to get back up there!

big hills

Of course we're not lost!

The Peak District is one of my favourite places in this country. Goodness knows how I ended up in East Anglia - we don't have hills here, although we do have a small slope. Sledging in winter was challenging, involving several people pushing to get moving at all.

Last weekend The Family (they're a bit like the Mafia, my lot, only with fewer horses' heads in beds), Henry and I headed for the hills, quite literally, to stagger up Kinder Scout. It was fantastic, if somewhat painful (for some reason,my hip joints decided they'd had enough 6 miles in - hmph) experience and one I intend to have again soon (apart from the painful bit).

Henry met his first sheep, and conducted himself like a champ, running for cover - i.e. me! (well they're bigger than me! - Henry). Unfortunately the second sheep he met was a little less brave, and Henry chased it for all of three steps before he remembered that they were indeed bigger than him and ran away again. I don't think I have a potential killer on my hands here, thank goodness.

After we'd staggered back down again after getting slightly mislaid at the top due to a path which had been eroded away to invisibility, The Family went home. Henry and I stayed out and camped at this place. Henry made friends with a little Dutch (I think) girl who had a lot to say to us - shame we couldn't understand a word! (Speak for yourself ignoramus, I got every word - Henry). He is the most gentle, trustworthy dog with children - he will sit for ages, shaking paws with them and letting them play with his ears.

I was very taken with the panniers several other dogs we met were wearing. I think Henry needs a set of those - it's about time he earned his keep around here. (We'll see about that - Henry).

It was so hard, driving away from the hills. We're going back soon.

Henry can always find water - he'd be great in the desert

The Noble Spaniel surveys his domain

Not a bad view, no?

No picnic is safe, not even The Family's

He was very proud of fishing that stick out

Henry's nemesis - don't turn your back on them!