Wednesday, September 23, 2009


Lake District Adventure.


Most years I try to get away to do some walking in the English Lake District. I usually camp and do a series of walks over a week long period. This year I based myself at "Hillcroft" camp site near Pooley Bridge and used this as my base to do the following walks.


On Sunday 6th September I walked the length of Lake Ullswater from Pooley Bridge to Patterdale and around the south of the lake to Glenridding; I took in Hallin Fell (388m) en route. Ullswater is England's 2nd largest lake at 14.5km.


On Monday 7th I climbed "High Street" (828m) via Pasture Bottom and returned by way of Angle Tarn.


Wednesday 9th I went up "Fairfield" (873m) via St Sunday Crag and returned via Dovedale.


Thursday 10th I climbed up "Helvellyn" (950m/3,117ft) via 'Striding Edge' from Glenridding and returned by way of Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon Pike and Grisedale.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009


CHILD PROTECTION!
*
Today was a 'Team Away Day' mainly dedicated to a variety of mandatory training issues. We covered things like 'Infection Control' and 'Pain Control in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit'.
*
We had a couple of major sessions on 'Child Protection'. One of the most distressing aspects of PICU is coping with the aftermath of a "non accidental injury". Sadly not all the kids make it!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Sunday, September 13, 2009



"Striding Edge" in the English Lake District is a narrow ridge on one of the approaches to Helvellyn (950m/3,117ft), it is a tricky traverse and over the years several people have fallen to their deaths.


One noted instance is that of Charles Gough who was killed there in 1805 made famous by the fidelity of his dog which guarded his body until the skeleton was found some months later. The romantic poets wrote that the dog was sustained by "love sublime"............................. are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Saturday, September 12, 2009



AMBIGUITY WARNING!
*
While I was away in the Lake District recently I came across this bottle of beer in a shop there and immediately thought of Dawn and what an apt gift to send on to her.
I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry about the surreal 'spin' she put on the birthday card I'd sent to her. I figured God was saying 'laugh don't cry!' So today I posted this gift to her but I did take the precaution of adding a warning.......and a special offer which I hope she will take me up on. The labels I added read as follows;

*
AMBIGUITY WARNING!


It should not be inferred from this beer bottle label that I have ever participated in or approved of animal cruelty. No conclusion should be drawn from the kilted figure that I am anti-Scottish or racist. or that I condone the Highland Clearances. The gender of the animal is not intended to imply misogyny or indeed prejudice against any other engendered or transgendered sheep. Just enjoy the beer.

*
Pete.
*

ps GENUINE OFFER!
*
Sometime when you are next in London I can give you a tour of where I work and you can get to know a bit more about me.