My first foray with video editing....Oscar's first trip to Rivington Pike

 Not sure I am ever going to be a huge YouTube success, but I am not getting out running much at the moment due to work and puppy, so created this to share.

Open water swimming in Rydal water

Having a puppy and being beaten by work means training is slipping by the wayside somewhat. My other half isn't always the most enthusiastic to have him whilst I run. 

But we did manage a family trip to the Lake District for the day on a very sunny Tuesday. We were a bit nervous about pup in the car, but he made it most of the way there without a puke. The problem was the traffic was really bad when we got to Ambleside; it still felt like the middle of the school holidays! By now small miracle we managed to get parked at White Moss, which was also very busy. There were lots of walkers and dogs using the paths at White Moss, which is unusual to me as I usually only go here in autumn. 

We strolled around the lake, making lots of doggy conversation. It was a bit surreal. Lots of people stopped to pet puppy. The paths were heaving. But we wondered towards Rydal water and managed to find a bay on the beach to drop out bags and I changed in to my brand new wetsuit. 

I have never really gotten in to open water swimming; I don't really have time for another hobby, and I have an irrational fear of lake swimming. On a recent trip to Ullswater, I determinedly got in to the lake and actually enjoyed it, barring only one or two panics. 

This time I gingerly walked over the rocks in the shallows before getting in fully. It was chilly but my wetsuit was definitely doing its job. It was a beautiful setting. I determinedly didn't panic and started a slow doggy paddle/ breast stroke out in to the lake. 

I am not goint to lie, I didn't get my hair wet. I was very much doggy paddling. I blame not having goggles but mostly I was still a bit scared of the dark cold water. But it was definitely progress.

 

I was joined in the lake (they were far away but in the same lake) by a variety of other swimmers. Some looked very pro, whilst some were just splashing at the side. It was a very warm day for September (around 20 degrees celsius) but apparently Rydal offers a long season swimming because of its shallow depth and low setting. I really loved splashing slowly out on to the lake (not leaving the shore too far) and admiring the views. I didn't feel the need to push physically but hopefully that will come, and I will glide across the lake like the pro looking people. I was able to tune out the busy footpaths and A591. Ducks came to see me and the geese on the far side made a heck of a racket as they are prone to do. I felt calm which doesn't happen much these days. 

Oscar got a bit upset when I went in for the third time. It turns out Oscar ccurrently hates water; he won't even walk across a puddle but we managed to tempted him to the edge of the lake with treats and get him a bit more used to it. I thought labradors were supposed to love water?! 

After the swim I sat and dried whilst Oscar chased other dogs and created havoc. Then we headed to the Badger Bar for lunch. I have driven past this place dozens of times, but this was my first trip to it as I often use Rydal tea rooms. We sat on the terrace, soaking up the sun, and Oscar fell asleep under the table whilst we had some lovely pub grub for lunch. 

Suitably reinvigorated, we took a walk over the 'coffin trail' from Rydal towards Grasmere. Fortunately I was emptying out a bit but still there were more people than I am used to on this route. Oscar was a real trooper up the slopes. Technically he is too young to do this sort of thing but we made an exception for the day and he definitely enjoyed it. The views from the trail are always lovely. 

After our little walk we headed to the Langdale Valley for a sit at Sticklebarn, simply because I love the views there. I love the views of the Langdale pikes in all seasons but they stood very clear against the blue sky until the sun began to lower and caused more of a haze. We sat in our favourite slanty benches too. 

And then it was time for home. Oscar slept all the way home, which was a relief. 

It wasn't fell running, or even hiking, but it was a good day in the lakes. I guess this is how some people actually do the lakes; pottering from cafe to pub doing low level walks is actually a lot of peoples experience. We got the usual questions about the best way back too. Hopefully I will get up the lakes for a trail run before too long!