Llana May 28, 2021

A morning run in the Howgill Fells

Exploring the countryside on my doorstep

Hi! Hello! How have you been? I feel like I’ve just been so busy lately but when I think about what I’ve actually been doing the past few weeks, there isn’t much to tell you. Today I booked the day off work to make it an extra long bank holiday weekend. I wanted to get a run/hike in, in preparation for the 32 miler me and a couple of friends have stupidly signs ourselves up to in a couple weeks time. I tried to run (jog) what I could, but it was too hard up hill for me. Starting from Sedbergh, I followed Settlebeck Gill up to the fell wall and then crossed over to Crook, where I followed a sheeps path right round the front of Crook and into the valley where the path runs parallel to Ashbeck Gill. You eventually reach a small dam where you can then start climbing up to Sickers. There’s not much of a foot path but there is a clear route up. Once you reach the top of Sickers, it’s really flat and the views are amazing. From there I made my way towards Brant Fell and once I caught my breath I started to run over to Arant Haw. It was a really lovely morning, I didn’t bump in to anyone else until I’d made it all the way back down Arant Haw. I love how quiet the Howgills are and how easy the terrain is to run/walk on. I can’t believe it’s took me until now to even venture further afield than the usual Winder walk and to truly appreciate the stunning landscape around us.

Ahhh, I’m so glad it’s a bank holiday weekend and the forecast is looking good for the next couple of days. We are planning on wild camping one night over the weekend, which I am SO looking forward to. If we do go, it will be our first camping trip of the year. I’m hoping the spot we’ve decided on won’t be too over crowded but it is quite secluded, so I can’t see it being busy.. who knows with everyone making the most of the British countryside when we can’t really go abroad though! Speak soon, L.

Llana May 11, 2021

Let’s catch up

Photo dump from the past two weeks

Good evening lovelies, how have you all been lately? I can’t believe I last posted two weeks ago. I had a couple of posts planned but never managed to photograph the content I wanted for them, so those will have to wait for now. Instead, here’s a handful of photos I’ve taken over the past couple of weeks.

Our home is really starting to come together now. We had flooring laid last week, the main bathroom tiled and my Mum made the gorgeous green floor length curtains for the living room. I adore them! This weekend I attempted making my first cushion since leaving college. I’m so pleased with how it turned out, now to find tie to make the other 3!

The cherry blossom has made an appearance and it just looks so gorgeous. Every time I walk past or drive past it brings a smile to my face.

The downstairs plied and ready for the herringbone flooring to go down and Erik being the biggest baby.

Managed to enjoy a drink or two in my parents garden. They have started work on their house and are getting a patio and glass doors fitted which will make such a difference. I can’t wait to see it finished.

This mornings little jog by the river and through the woods. It was so nice to see the sunshine again after having the worst weather lately.

I picked my camera up again this weekend to start vlogging and also to start using my camera to photograph again. I really miss using it! I’d love it if you could subscribe to my channel here. Speak soon, L.

Llana April 25, 2021

What’s in my beer garden bag

What’s in my

beer garden bag

At the beginning I really struggled with what to wear and what to take along with me. Thankfully our local is a 1 minute walk, which is great if we are cold because we can run and make it back in less than 30 seconds, no joke. But for those of you who aren’t as lucky to live next to your local, then here’s what you need to take along with you.. you just need one of those Mary Poppin’s bags to fit everything in…

This blog post features affiliate links.
Affiliate text links are marked (ad)
Read the disclaimer about affiliate links here.

SHOP THE POST

Layers

The best way to experience a British beer garden is to layer up! Start with something like a body suit that tucks in, that you wouldn’t mind showing off in the afternoon when the sun is on your face and your feeling the heat. Then add a thin long sleeve, not too warm but keeps that gentle breeze off your arms. Then I’d go for a fleece or a hoody, something that’s going to make you feel snug. And lastly, a proper jacket just incase it gets to those Arctic temperatures. It ain’t warming up anytime soon, so take my advice or freeze if you wish!

Long socks

One of the worst things for me is when that cool breeze picks up and your little tootsies start to get cold.. especially those ankles! I have terribly dry skin on my legs as it is, so the cold really does not help. A long pair of socks with your trainers or just in your bag to put on later will really help keep you warm and if you’ve got a pair of joggers or long jeans on, tuck them in as well. We don’t have to worry about being fashionable by this point, let’s just be cosy!

A blanket

Some beer gardens may not have heaters or blankets to offer and personally I’d rather use my own blanket anyway. You can pick up decent throws from various high street shops, such as TK Maxx, M&S and Asda to name a few. I sometimes resort to one of Erik’s several blankets but I do think it’s time to purchase my own.. because who wants to wrap themselves in dog hair?

Bits & bobs

Sunglasses, lip balm, tissues and hand cream. These are things you may just have in your every day handbag but me being me, I don’t own a handbag I use every day so I tend to forget this sort of thing when popping out the house and then wish I had it! It’s also that time of year when hayfever will soon be rife, so pack those tissues, nasal sprays, antihistamines and eye drops if you’re a sufferer. Nothing worse than a runny nose and itchy eyes when you’re trying to enjoy a cold one.

Llana April 18, 2021

Sunrise hike & early morning swim

Aira Force & Gowbarrow Fell | The Lake District

Another weekend and another great forecast! The weather always seems to be at it’s very best first thing in a morning so I couldn’t resist getting out and about early doors. I met with the three girls I’m completing the 32 mile challenge with in June at 6am this morning and after 2 large glasses of Rosé the night before, it was a bit of struggle! But then I saw the sunrising from our Velux windows at 5:30am I just knew it was going to be a brilliant day, so I splashed my face with cold water, brushed my teeth and out the door I went. I do wonder what Erik thinks when I wake him up so early poor lad! Although I know he thoroughly enjoys meeting his friends, Buddy, Henry and Penny!

I’d first been to Aira Force in November, as a last minute birthday outing and whilst Googling at the time, I found that Gowbarrow Fell was behind the waterfalls. I typed in ‘Gowbarrow Fell’ into Instagram places and the views that other walkers had posted were incredible, so I had to go and see it for myself! You can find the route we did here.

This blog post features affiliate links.
Affiliate text links are marked (ad)
Read the disclaimer about affiliate links here.

The Route

The route takes you up alongside Aira Force, through some woodland. It’s a really beautiful shaded walk and if you get there early enough like we did, it’s great for the dogs to have a good run about when there isn’t anyone else around. Once you’ve followed the stream as far up as you can, you reach an open field and then you follow the foot path up on to Gowbarrow Fell. It is a nice gentle walk, although a little steep and rocky in places but it looks like a stone footpath is in the making, to make it easier for us hikers.

Llana April 11, 2021

How I edit my photos

Helm Crag | The Lake District

I said I wanted to witness more sunrises this year, so when Sarah messaged me asking if I fancied a sunrise walk, how could I say no? The forecast was looking good and I was eager to get back out in the hills again. If only I didn’t have to wait for weekends! We were unsure where to go and had a few locations in mind but because Helm Crag is only a short walk to the summit from Grasmere it would mean we would have the rest of the day left to do whatever we wanted, so it was perfect!

We met at the car park at 5:45am and made our way up, following the signs to Easedale Tarn and then on to Helm Crag. It only took us around an hour to make it to the top and for an hour walking the views were just incredible. You can see over to Helvellyn, the Langdales and beyond! We spent a good hour up there, taking lots of photographs and then sitting down with a hot chocolate and hot Vimto watching the sunrise. It was just so peaceful and quiet, which always makes morning hikes all the more special because not many people tend to be out.

This blog post features affiliate links.

Read the disclaimer about affiliate links here.

Photos in this post are taken by myself and Sarah.

The apps I use for editing

When I’m editing, I try to keep my photos as ‘real’ looking as possible but just more aesthetically pleasing. I use VSCO to edit all my photos, which I’ve used for years. It’s now a pay monthly/yearly app but when it first came out you could actually buy collections of presets. It’s a very easy app to navigate and you can even upload your photos on to your own profile, similar to Instagram.

My favourite walking gear

Which preset?

Sometimes I check the ‘for this photo‘, where VSCO give you a couple of suggested filters for the photo you are editing, but usually I use C7, which is quite vibrant. However, it often makes some photos looks quite cold which I never really knew how to adjust before.. until I discovered white balance. Using this filter can help you adjust how yellow or blue the image is, as well as how green or pink the image is. In this photo I upped the yellow and the pink, to make it more dreamy.

Tools I use

Once I’ve chosen the filter and got the colours right, I make sure that the image is straight by using the adjust tool. One of my pet peeves with landscape photography is when a horizon, such as the sea, a lake, a field etc. are at an angle. This is a little hard to explain but if you’d like me to go in to more detail on this one just let me know.

Then I go in with the sharpness tool. I often up this a little if the image is a little grainy. You will find this when photographing in low level lighting. Sometimes over sharpening the image can look a bit over edited too, so I tend to stick around the 2.5-3 mark

The exposure of an image is something I always play around with too. I will often bring the exposure down a little as I prefer a darker image to a lighter image.

Posting to Instagram

Whenever I’m posting to Instagram I often play with the shadow and the highlight tool. Both of which you can’t do in the VSCO app. This just adds a little more depth to the images which I like. I don’t do this for my blog though as I don’t think it really needs it.

Llana April 7, 2021

Creature of habit

Waking up and getting outside to watch the sunrise behind the fells is just one of those things that makes me feel alive. Even more so when the weather is as good as it has been over the past couple of days.

I managed to convince Josh to join me for an early morning run. We set our alarms for 6:15am and left the house at 6:45am.

We made our way up Joss Lane, through the field and up to the fell wall where the sun was just peaking over the fells over towards Garsdale and beyond. It was beautiful and so peaceful.

I really wanted a picture on the trig point and then all of a sudden Erik jumps up with me and actually manages to stay on too!

This is the same route Kelly and I did on Monday which took us a couple minutes less than an hour. Josh and I took an hour to get up and down, although we didn’t push ourselves as hard.

The views over towards the Lake District were just stunning. It’s making me want to be back up in those mountains again – roll on the weekend!

I have two favourite times of the day. The first being out with Erik, either out walking or running really early when there are no cars or people around, when everything is silent and all you can hear is the birds tweeting. The second would be when I get into bed on an evening, with my hot water bottle wearing a fresh pair of pyjamas. All night after tea I wait for that moment, that moment I’m currently in right now and I just love it. I love routine and knowing where my day will take me. Now that I have a reason to really push myself with my fitness, I plan to take this route up and down Winder as many times as possible throughout the next 10 weeks so I’m really hoping that the weather will be kind and I can have more days like today, rather than the wet, cold, foggy days. Anyway, I am extremely tired, so I’m going to read a quick few pages of my book and go to sleep. Lots of love, L.

Llana April 6, 2021

A Long Easter Weekend

It’s so strange actually spending Easter here in England and being at home. For as long as I can remember, our Easter holidays were spent in Thailand celebrating Songkran, the Thai New Year, so Easter was never something we celebrated and we certainly didn’t get any Easter eggs! It was really lovely to be able to have some time off work seeing friends and family though, especially with the lockdown and restrictions being in place for so long. I’ve never had so many plans over one weekend as I had done this weekend but it felt good, even though I’m now super tired but I’m hopeful for a fairly normal Summer now. Anyway, here’s what we got up to on Easter Monday…

By the sea

Silverdale | Jenny Browns Point

We spent early Monday morning by the sea, walking along the beach front, listening to the waves and getting my nice white trainers all mucky from the sand. It was a cold morning, with snow falling in the early hours of the morning but still, we wrapped up and it was lovely to be outside and somewhere new! Silverdale is about a 40 minute drive from ours and because we set off fairly early, we managed to park our cars as near to the foot path as possible. The views across Morecambe Bay were beautiful! If the wind had dropped it would have been a perfect day for a picnic on the beach as there are lots of rocks to sit on.

I had packed a little picnic for both Josh and I but because my Mum and Dad made a last minute decision to come with us, we shared it with them, so when someone mentioned Arnside Chippy that’s where we went for a bite to eat! It was really good and I’m glad we didn’t over order like usual.

Training for a 32 mile challenge

The Howgill Fells

On June 20th 2021, the longest day of the year.. about 2 and a bit months from now, myself, Kelly, Amy and Francesca will be attempting to complete a 32 mile challenge which involves walking or running (most likely walking) the Ullswater Way and then climbing Helvellyn. I must admit, I am the least fit out of the group so I know I’m going to be that one who’s a total pain in the arse, asking for plenty of breaks to stop and catch a breath so I’m going to try and get out walking and running as much as physically/mentally possible from now until then. Kelly and I did Winder Fell last night which took us 37 minutes to reach the trig point from my front door and 58 minutes in total to get up and down! I didn’t think it was too bad but I would like to get that time down by quite a bit, so if anyone fancies a walk/jog/run up and down the fell over the coming weeks, let me know! Although, I’m not much of a chatter when I’m trying to run and breath.. ha!

Llana April 3, 2021

Good Friday | The Old Man of Coniston

Back in the Lake District

Coniston

With the forecast for Easter bank holiday weekend looking like a corker, I knew that I had to get back out in the Lake District mountains for a hike and a potential swim. So with my Dad, brother Alex and his girlfriend El all off work, we decided to head over to Coniston and attempt The Old Man of Coniston. I’ve actually done the Old Man years ago, which was one of my first blog posts I ever shared. You can find that here if you want to read a very brief post, with very poor imagery! It was a slightly different route to the one we did yesterday but this route was definitely more scenic and the perfect amount of time to be up and down by lunch time. I’d thoroughly recommend it for anyone wanting to get in to hiking, it’s an easy route with only a little scrambling over some big rocks but on a nice day the views are stunning. Once you’ve reached Low Water, it’s an ideal spot for a picnic and perhaps a swim if you’re feeling brave enough. I’d recommend taking a swimming costume and a towel, even if you aren’t sure you’ll go in.. at least you have the option to! I’d also suggest taking a rather substantial lunch if you plan on swimming too. I was ravenous when I got out and ate my sandwich, crisps, a flask of soup, a biscuit and a yoghurt and really could have stomached something else!

I really hope you’ve enjoyed this post. I would like to share more in depth posts on where we go and the routes we take etc. and I hope to get out hiking and camping much more this Summer. If there’s anywhere you’d like to see in particular in or around the Lakes or the Yorkshire Dales that you haven’t managed to get to or can’t get to at the moment, please let me know and I’ll do my best to plan a hike or camping trip. Speak soon and enjoy this glorious bank holiday weekend! Lots of love, L.

Llana March 28, 2021

Tiling the main bathroom and new mirror!

A few of you asked for the recipe to the pizza base when I shared a video on my Instagram of the most delicious pizza I’ve ever made/eaten before so here’s a link to it. My go to when it comes to toppings are… grated cheddar, buffalo mozzarella, chopped jalapeños, thinly sliced red onion, salami, chorizo and fresh basil.

Another weekend done and almost dusted. I had my first proper lie in in what feels like a lifetime, which I really needed. I didn’t sleep well, as I’d gone to sleep with a headache and woken up with one too, but after 2 paracetamol I managed to get back to sleep for a couple of hours and not wake up until 11am. Winner winner chicken dinner! I’m always so impressed with how paracetamol works. I really try not to take any painkillers but with headaches I just have to as they are quite sore.

We’ve been discussing our summer holiday plans for this year and we were so keen on getting abroad but now that that looks unlikely, we were thinking of attempting Scotland again and doing the NC500. Josh has a new van now, so hopefully no breaking down at the top of the Isle of Skye like last time… and hopefully I won’t fall over and hurt my knee so bad that I can’t walk again like the first time! Third time lucky, right? If anyone has done the NC500 please let me know if you have any tips or must see’s along the way. I like to plan so I’d love to be prepared in time!

Anyway, time to enjoy what’s left of my Sunday with a STP, some double cream and Seaspiracy on Netflix. Not sure we should watch though as I know it’s upsetting, so maybe we’ll save that for another day and watch something light-hearted. Speak soon, L.

Llana March 21, 2021

Weekend Photo Diary

Homemade sausage rolls from my Gran and Thai chicken soup homemade by my Mum. What a treat for a Friday! I was planning on making pizza and wedges but it was nice not to have to cook for a change, even though I absolutely love cooking anyway!

We had a quiz night for Josh’s friends 30th, and it’s always so nice to see everyone. We didn’t win… but I don’t think we came last, which is a bonus!

I started my Saturday with an early morning workout in the attic/soon to be master bedroom. It’s a great space for working out and opening all the windows allows for plenty of air circulation. Perhaps we should just have a gym up there instead? How amazing would that be!

Gran and I went and did our food shop. I’m trying my hardest to reduce the amount of money I’m spending on food. This week, I spent more than I had planned. Money seems to go nowhere but I can’t live without some things.

Later, I met Scarlett for a walk. I haven’t seen her since I left M&S like three years ago! It was so so lovely to see her and catch up.

Then I made vegetable Samosas! I’ve been wanting to make these for a while but was waiting for Mum and Dad to visit the oriental shop in Lancaster so they could pick me up some of the cases. They remind me of when we went diving in Koh Tao and this guy would come to the diving centre selling freshly cooked Samosas when we’d all got back off the boats. He timed it perfectly, he really was a good business man because everyone was so hungry after a day out on the boats.

Sunday’s are my favourite day of the week. I wake up relaxed, after a good nights sleep, there’s no urgency to get anywhere or do anything and it’s just nice to relax for a change, you know? We went for a nice long morning walk and didn’t get home until gone 11am. Our tummy’s were rumbling as I usually prefer to walk Erik before eating, so I don’t get a stitch and it makes me walk a little faster!

My Dad came to help us take the scaffolding at the back of the house down. We aren’t 100% finished with it but it’s blocking the entrance at the back of the house and we could do with some outdoor space to enjoy the sunshine in an afternoon, so it came down and it feels so much more spacious already, even if it still is a complete bomb site!

Later, my friend Amy and I went for a walk over The Knotts, near her house. It was so beautiful, I can’t believe I’ve never been up there before. The view of the Howgills and Sedbergh is just stunning! I’m so glad we are finally getting these lighter nights and soon they will be even longer when the clocks go forward next weekend, wahoo! Which means longer nights, at last….

To finish the weekend off, steak pie and mash, so good, so tasty, so filling! And an episode of The Flight Attendant before an early night. Has anyone else been watching? I’m on episode 2 and finding it really good! Anyway, speak soon, L.

Llana March 8, 2021

It’s time to grow up…

And so, our journey in to adulthood begins. I must admit, I have felt rather emotional lately at the thought of moving out of my Gran’s flat, where we have lived for so long. I always dreamt that when the day of moving in to our own home came, it would feel so different.. But I had very mixed emotions and so did Josh. I still feel sad now because it’s an end of an era but I’m so glad that we all managed to get along so well, for all this time and still don’t really want to leave. I finally have to grow up and wash my own pots. Washing pots is the worst! I can’t wait until we can get a dishwasher installed! Thankfully I’m only a 3-5 minute walk away, so it’s not like we’ve moved to the other side of the world. God, how would I cope if we decided to do that?! I have always envisioned living in Thailand for a few years but I’m not sure I could do it now.. haha! Anyway, I am still absolutely knackered from the weekend so I’m going to love you and leave you. Speak soon, L.

Llana February 28, 2021

Beginning to feel a bit like Spring

The end of February and it’s already beginning to feel a little Spring-like, my most favourite time of the year! We did have a few wet days but this weekend has well and truly lifted my spirits and I’m feeling hopeful to a *fairly* normal Summer. We went on a long morning walk before brunch this morning, over the Howgills and back home to a good old fry up. I love these kind of Sundays, morning walks in the sunshine, a little fry up treat and a relaxing morning before working again on the house. Josh started boarding the last wall in the attic today, which is going to be plastered tomorrow. Then all we need is a door and the attic is pretty much there! I gave the kitchen and living room a good clean and swept up all the dog hair! I cannot believe how much there was, it’s like we are living with a Persian cat, not a short haired German pointer! Well, time to enjoy the rest of my Sunday with a cup of tea and Netflix, so I can hopefully get up early enough for a run with my brother, Alex. Speak soon, L.

Llana Fearn