So many unforgettable days on the hills and in valleys of North-west England, so many wonderful days tramping hill and dale, a long drive through the night to catch the early ferry to Lewis, a week on the Outer Hebrides battling 85mph winds and dodging driving rain. Our year also took us south to sample the stunning Jurassic Coast. I've chosen just one walk from each month but could easily of eulogized page after page, here is what I consider the best but that could easily change the next time I log on, look and enjoy.
Pen-y-ghent via Whitbar Hill. .....On a day of changing moods this was my first walk in the white stuff this winter, a ramble up my favourite of Yorkshires three peaks.
Walla Crag via Ashness Bridge. .....On this outing we visited two major Lakeland tourist attractions, Friar's Crag with it's magical views over Derwent Water and picturesque Ashness Bridge, our day ended drinking in views over Borrowdale and the Vale of Keswick from Walla Crag.
Abbotsbury and Chesil Beach. .....This should have been the high point of a week spent wandering along the Jurassic Coast, unfortunately the high point was shrouded in Dorset mist, mind you the rest of the walk was stunning.
Arant Haw and Wander above Sedbergh. .....I remember this walk well, an afternoon battling through the September heat, a stifling hot climb, abandoning the walk to laze on the slopes of Arant Haw watching the sun sink from the sky, every cloud has a silver lining.
Nine Standards Rigg from Kirkby Stephen. .....Another first, why when this lofty hill rising to the east of Kirkby Stephen is only an hours drive from home?, I guess I've just never bothered, from the nine massive cairns adorning the summit the views were stunning, that's possibly why the hill was so busy, and the fact it stands on the Coast to Coast path.
Leck Beck. .....This was a walk that's been on the radar as long as I've been walking, little did I know after an easy ramble up the valley of Leck Beck, followed by the minimum of effort climbing Brownthwaite Pike would I be gifted with some of the best views I've ever experienced, pick a good day and take a look for yourself.
Askrigg Waterfalls. .....This is a walk that will be etched on the memory for many years, an impromptu stop at Askrigg to kill time, a wander up a Wensleydale stream in spate, spectacular and frightening, it took the breath away, a must return and will.
Great Bernera. .....Definitely the high point of a week spent dodging strong winds and heavy rain on the Isle of Lewis, sunny Scotland, a day spent wandering through a landscape of ice-scared boulders and tiny lochens, along a coast pounded by Atlantic breakers.
Great Shunner Fell from Hardraw. .....With Sue for company we made the five mile ascent from Hardraw, leaving civilized Wensleydale behind to climb above the mists of early morning into a real mountain wilderness.
Knipe Scar from Bampton Grange. .....A first ascent for us, striding out over a wonderful limestone plateau high above the valley of the River Lowther, gifting us with stunning views the full length of the High Street massif.
A Circuit from Milnthorpe including Dallam Park, the Fairy Steps and Haverbrack Fell. .....This was a short casual stroll through woodland and limestone grassland culminating with a wander along the estuary as day slowly turned to night.
Farleton Fell and Hutton Roof Crags from Holme. .....On a day that promised bad weather I changed my route for a wander over a couple of the north-west's lesser heights, in an attempt to avoid strong winds and heavy snow I wandered across this stunning limestone escarpment. I got the wind, some snow but also windows of the most amazing light imaginable, one of those magic days on the hill.