Revisiting, reminiscing and remembering

Yesterday I didn't have time to blip, but that doesn't mean we didn't do anything. So to quickly fill you in, we took down our tent in a bit of drizzle, and were packed up by 10. From there we drove to Keswick where we spent most of the day in shops. It was pouring with rain when we arrived and for the duration of the day. So we started with a very nice coffee and bun to escape the rain, then trawled the many charity shops.

We drove to a spot overlooking a body of water on the Whinlatter Pass which was nice, then we drove on to Nether Wasdale. Cathy and Keith had arrived a bit before us and were settling in. So a few hours of chatter ensued before we headed to The Strands pub where we had dinner.

Today, after a leisurely breakfast, we took a drive to Wast Water. We visited the spot we had last been with Andy a year ago, the closest as we could get to Scafell Pike. When we arrived, the sun came out and a small robin appeared by the sign. It felt like a sign. We spent a while just wandering, checking out the vegetation, and area. Then we went for a nice walk up to Wasdale Head, had a coffee in the sun, and browsed the little shop there. We walked back dropping in to the smallest church in the country which is located there. We drove back and literally as we got home the heavens opened. It was timed perfectly!

We had lunch, but as the rain hadn't stopped, we couldn't wait in, so went in the rain, out to find some hazel for an afternoon of whittling.

We then spent a happy afternoon under Jon’s expert tuition, whittling spoons (me and Jon) , a canoe (Keith) and a paddle (Cath). They need finishing, but we made a good start, catching all the wood shavings in an old blanket.

At almost dark, we went to a secret location to plant a blackthorn in Andy’s memory. Back at the house, we had dinner and a toast to the happy memories made for Andy a year ago. Cath has a small canoe to launch later in the week, and hopefully a paddle (if Cath finishes the whittling of her paddle).

A successful day, full of mixed emotions. More tomorrow.