My Blog

Finally we are registered

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:15:10 +0000

After a long wait, we have finally passed our registration test. Mil is now a formally registered trainee search dog with SARDA Lakes.

As well as taking our registration test, we had a good weekend of search, find and play. Mil did really well, but we need to work on our indication (barking at the body). She does bark and barks quite well, but just needs a bit to get her going.

Her favourite toys are Air Kong squeaker fetch sticks.

Thanks to bodies Gemma, Jane, Helen and Paul and to the other handlers and assessors for their support and guidance.

Next weekend we’ll be in the Howgills.

Wild camping at Hayeswater day 2

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:58:12 +0100

We woke after nearly 12 hours sleep to beautiful sunshine.

Breakfast eaten we headed off to tackle a few more Wainwrights. We decided to leave the tent up to save weight in our packs and return later to collect the remainder of our kit.

Our first stop was Brock Crags, followed closely by Angletarn Pikes before contouring around to The Nab (spying a few deer on the way), and returning over the summit of Rest Dodd.

Back at the tent we had a relaxing drink and a short rest (it had been a hot day) and my forehead had told me that the sun had been shining for most of it!

The dogs were very pooped.

Wainwrights to go (round two):

Wild camping at Hayeswater day 1

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 10:30:52 +0100

We’d planned a weekend away wild camping and I was a little concerned as the forecast wasn’t brilliant and three wet dogs in a tent is not an ideal situation!

We parked at Hartsop and headed up Hartsop Dodd and then around to Stony Cove Pike on Caudale Moor and then around to Gray Crag.

We ended our walk by pitching the tent on the side of Hayeswater and watched the sun go down while the dogs rested, played, chewed on chewy things and then slept.

We had nearly 12 hours sleep.

Wainwrights to go (round two):

Kentmere Round

Sun, 31 May 2009 09:00:48 +0100

Liz and I met for another walk. We chose a rather warm day to do a long walk, but with 3 litres of water I wasn’t going to die of thirst.

We arrived in Kentmere before 9.00 and all the usual free places were taken so we had to park in the field and used the honesty box.

We had a lovely walk and extend this to take in Thornthwaite Crag and High Street.

We were all pooped at the end, finished off nicely with a pint in the Eagle and Child in Staveley.

Wainwrights to go (round two):

Beda Head and Place Fell

Mon, 25 May 2009 10:30:14 +0100

As it was the Bank Holiday Monday we wanted somewhere slightly quieter to go for a walk. So we opted for a horseshoe walk around Boredale via Beda Head and Place Fell.

We arrived early and parked at Howesteadbrow before climbing on to Beda Head and following this around the Boredale Hause before climbing up to Place Fell (a little busier here), and then returned to the car.

We planned to stop for a pint in Pooley Bridge, but it was heaving and so we headed for Tirril and had a long cool shandy.

Wainwrights to go (round two):

A walk around Stocks Reservoir

Sun, 24 May 2009 10:30:31 +0100

I met with Kath and Milly to walk around Stocks Reservoir in the Forest of Bowland.

We had gorgeous weather and the dogs loved it. We stopped at the fishing tackle shop / tearoom halfway round to re-hydrate and take a few minutes to rest our legs.

Mil and Milly (and not forgetting Pippa) get on really well.

Milly is maturing and looking as lovely as ever.

Next time we’ll take our bikes.

Five more Wainwrights

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:30:34 +0100

A glorious day dawned and it was only right to go for another walk in the Lake District. I met up with Liz in Shap before we headed off to Mardale Head.

The views of Haweswater were stunning...

The plan was a longish walk and our first Wainwright was Kidsty Pike via Kidsty Howes. It was quite windy which was causing me to chill me down, but Liz was warming up as we climbed the steep sections.

Kidsty Pike from The Rigg

The steep climb up Kidsty Howes

Liz and Pippa on the way to Kidsty Pike

Liz and Pippa on Kidsty Pike

We then headed for Rampsgill Head where we had fine views down to the Nab.

The Nab from Rampsgill Head

The Knott was a short distance away so we dropped down to it and got some lovely views.

The Knott with High Street beyond

Retracing our steps we made our way back over Rampsgill Head and then on to High Raise.

And then along the old Roman road to Wether Hill (which is a little difficult to pin point).

Wether Hill

Before dropping down to Haweswater and the long walk along and back to the car.

Mil, me and Pippa take a break

But it was a fine day and the dogs are pooped.

Wainwrights to go (round two):

Collecting

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:00:02 +0100

No photos of us collecting in Keswick for the Search and Rescue Dogs, but we managed a short walk up Walla Crag (another Wainwright to our collection).

It was a lovely evening stroll to the top and we watched a few paragliders as they made the most of the last few thermals of the day. The view to the Skiddaw range was superb too.

Wainwrights to go (round two):

High Cup Nick

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 10:30:17 +0100

I opted for a local walk and up to High Cup Nick and Maizeback.

We walked up from Murton and followed the bridleway all the way. It was quiet and I only bumped into two or three people which is how I like it (if you haven’t guessed already).

High Cup Nick

Maizebeck