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The online diary
started life as a blog of my strange 'other life' with the dog. I
wanted to record some of the experiences that I had as a first-time dog
owner. To access the archive, click on the appropriate month.
The most recent articles are listed
separately.
You are most
welcome to send comments about any of the articles. Record your
comments via the Contact Me page.
SAINT NICK
Tue
1 Jul 2009
By and large,
the Lake District is a safe place to walk providing you are competent in the
route finding skills of map reading and compass work. The paths are pretty
well defined and in many places well made; particularly since an extensive
programme of path repair has been underway with the
Fix the
Fells project. Nevertheless, care has to be taken at all times and
there are some routes that are still hazardous involving mild scrambling on
rocks.
One such fell
is Yewbarrow at the head of the Wasdale valley. Only just over the 2000’
mark, Yewbarrow is a remarkable fell ‘having the shape of the inverted hull
of a boat’ as AW writes in his chapter about the fell. The two ends of the
‘boat’ provide the only routes of ascent and descent and each is well
defended by crags that have to be climbed. The more formidable route is
that via Stirrup Crag at the northern end of the fell. But is ascending
from Wasdale the more likely ascent route is the south ridge meaning that
Stirrup Crag has to be taken in descent.
Although the
ascent was steep and, in places, rocky, we managed to make the summit
without any mishaps. But it was a bit hair-raising coming down Stirrup Crag
with Beattie. I must admit, I
had decided to 'go and have a look at it' as AW says there is another, safer
descent route from the depression on the top of Yewbarrow.
Well, of course, it was OK to begin with - not too steep, so I decided to
press on. I met a walker at the first 'pitch' and he said 'I hope you're
good at rock climbing!!' If you can manage this climb you'll be all right.
There are about four like it lower down.'
The first climb did not look too bad - only about six feet or so and even
Beattie scrambled down. So, encouraged by his words, I took the plunge
(literally!). The next couple of rock steps were fine although I had to go
first and lift Beattie down.
But the last pitch was distinctly unfriendly in that I could not really see
where the footholds were and although it was only a short climb, I was too
nervous to start. Luckily, a walker was then coming up and I told him I was
stuck. He said, 'I'll take your dog.'
Great! I could see the headline now: Dog Rescued In Rock Climb Drama, But
Owner Killed In Fall!
After rescuing Beattie, he guided my feet to footholds I just could not see
and thus I was saved!!! Asking his name, he replied, ‘It’s Nick.’
I think he was
definitely St. Nick that day! Without his help I could have been there a
long time! Back
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Comment from
sablonneuse
Oh crikey,
that sounded dangerous. Thank goodness Nick was there. I hope you'll
research your walks carefully in future to prevent any more
unpleasant climbs! I was aware of the potential
danger, but thought I would give it a try! derek
Comment from Tracey Lilly
Do you
take your mobile phone or would Beattie have sounded the alarm by
barking for attention?
All part of the adventures of fell walking. I do take a
mobile phone, but you can't always get a signal unless you are on
the tops! derek
LUCKY DIP? LUCKY ESCAPE!
Tue 8 Jul 2009
Last week,
A’s sister came to visit for a
few days. She has not ventured into East Anglia since 1980, so it was quite
a novelty to entertain her (was it something we said?).
CM loves walking and I took the
opportunity to take her on all my favourite local walks.
On Sunday, we
walked from
Dunwich Heath to the Eels Foot for lunch and then back along the beach.
The weather had been hot all week and, whilst this settled spell was
breaking down in other parts of the country, we had one more day of fine,
dry conditions.
It takes about
forty-five minutes to reach the Eels Foot Inn from the car park and it was a
lovely walk except when Beattie
decided to investigate a muddy pool and came out covered in black, smelly
mud up to her thighs! She would need to have a dip in the sea to clean her
off before we returned in the car. But long before we reached the sea she
had experienced an unexpected dip in fresh water!
We had a bite
to eat at The Eels
Foot before resuming our walk through fields at first before the marshes
that provide for such a wealth of wildlife, particularly the birds at
Minsmere. CM and I were both engrossed in conversation when we realised
that Beattie was not with us. She had ‘smelt’ water and decided to plunge
into a drainage ditch at the side of the path. It was covered with duckweed
and I am sure that she had no idea that she would be out of her depth very
quickly. When we saw her, she was stranded over the other side of the ditch
obviously expecting to be rescued. She must have swum across, and because
of the near vertical sides was unable to scramble out. Well, there was no
way that I was going in to rescue her, though that was clearly what she was
expecting from the worried look on her face. If she had swum across, she
would have to return the same way. With much encouragement from the two of
us, she finally took the plunge and I watched her swimming for the first
(and probably, only) occasion. When she reached the side she was, once
again, unable to scramble out and CM managed to find a tree root to stand on
before pulling her out to stand dripping on the bank!
Of course, we
made a fuss of her, but after a shake she trotted off quite happily, none
the worse for her experience!
We managed to
walk to the beach without any further alarms and as soon as we walked down
to the sea, she was off looking for ‘treasures’. We did not wait for her as
she found something to roll in. When I called her, however, she did not
come and something made me walk back towards her. A couple were closer to
her than me, and I noticed that the chap turned and started walking towards
Beattie. Something was definitely not quite right. Reaching her, I could
see the remains of a fish head that she had been rolling on before she
started to nibble. What I could not see, but the other chap could was that
the fish head was, in fact, part of a baited line that had been discarded.
And that was not all. Upon closer inspection, I saw a very large sea
fishing hook hanging off her chest! Mercifully, it had not penetrated her
skin, but the barbed hook was caught in her hair! Immediately, I opened her
mouth and scanned inside for any other ‘nasties’ she might have swallowed.
I could find nothing and, thankfully, she seemed to have escaped injury.
Meanwhile, the chap dealt with the hook and line. I thanked him for his
help and decided that Beattie should be put on her lead for the rest of her
walk.
I have no
problem with sea anglers fishing off the beach, but not cleaning up unwanted
tackle is irresponsible and potentially dangerous behaviour. Not only could
Beattie have been badly injured, but also sea birds or even a barefoot
child!
As far as I
was concerned, that was one very lucky escape! Back
To post a comment click
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Comment from Tracey Lilly
I
know cats are supposed to have nine lives so how many does Beattie
have? I don't know, Tracey, but Beattie must have
used up quite a few of hers already and she is only just three years
old! derek
Comment from
sablonneuse
Aren't dogs supposed to be adult at three years old? Beattie seems
like a naughty toddler - into everything. But I know she's adorable!
You can't be paranoid and restrict her freedom but it must be a
worry when she keeps finding trouble.
Well, that's a terrier for you! derek
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