Across the Moors

Last Sunday on the first day of September we set out on a morning walk across the moors. It was our last jaunt of the Summer holidays, a chance for us to stretch our legs, breathe in the fresh air and mentally begin the process of winding down our holidays and preparing for the start of a new school year. 

As is pretty usual for us these days, we were walking as a family of three with both the Teens working that day. Mind you, even if they weren't working I doubt that it would have made a difference to our walking plans - Little Lady does still like to walk with us but more often than not she's made other weekend plans for herself. Her social life is like a non stop merry-go-round and she is always on the go with her gorgeous group of friends, which of course I'm super happy about. She is in such a great place right now, happy, confident and loving life and I couldn't be more pleased for her.

So we are a threesome for walks these days, and that's quite OK, the transition has been gradual and it feels more normal now than it did a year ago. 

We mapped out a circular five mile walk around the two reservoirs (Upper Barden and Lower Barden) which sit high up on Barden Moor. We drive this way often en route to Bolton Abbey, but it's a beautiful place in it's own right and well worth an outing when the weather is fine. It can often be very wild and windy up here with virtually no place to shelter, so you do need to come prepared with the right clothes and some refreshments tucked in your bag.

We passed a few other people walking as well as some woolly four legged residents but mostly we enjoyed having these vast moors and spectacular views all to ourselves.

Upper Barden reservoir can't be seen from the road so it's always a lovely sight when it finally comes into view. Being that this was roughly the half way point of the walk, we had told Little B that we would stop here for a rest and something to eat and drink, so he was ridiculously happy when we arrived at the waters edge.

Before leaving town, we made a quick stop off at a café which opens it's doors for the early morning breakfast crowd and filled up our flasks. J and I had frothy lattés and Little B had his very own flask of hot chocolate which he was delighted with. On the spur of the moment I'd also picked up a couple of chocolate croissants which I felt would hit the spot rather nicely once we were high up on the hilltops.

Sitting out in the wide open countryside with a picturesque view laid out in front of you is one of life's glorious pleasures and one of my most favourite things to do. If you add in a picnic blanket, a hot drink and a bit of something sweet and naughty, well the whole experience is elevated up a notch or two on the pleasure charts. It was just so good! It also really helped to give Little B an extra energy boost as he'd been dragging his little legs somewhat. Hot chocolate has magical properties I'm sure of it.

We walked past the old Victorian reservoir keepers house - we were last here in the depths of Winter and I found myself very intrigued by this remote house back then too. I wonder what it would feel like to live there? Blissful or lonesome?

The heather was beautiful but definitely not abundant this year and there was far more brown than purple.

There was lots of green though, and it made me immediately think of the first part of my Moorland Blanket. I don't think I'll ever walk up here and not think of the colours in my Moorland blanket to be honest, it's impossible for me to look at this very familiar landscape and not see Cypress, Lime, Khaki, Meadow, Pistachio, Mocha and Walnut!

The winding track back towards the Lower Reservoir felt quite long and a little hard going - you can just see the reservoir in the distance there. 

But eventually we made it to the water's edge...

...and continued to follow the track across the embankment and up, up, up over the moors.

This felt like a veeeeery long part of the walk, and I was glad that Little B seemed to still be powering forward on hot chocolate energy because I was definitely dragging my heels.

I loved this Rowan tree which was absolutely covered in berries, it looked so bright and cheerful against the more muted backdrop of the hills and water.

I love walking in the countryside and taking in all the colours and I find myself mixing up virtual colour palettes inside my Creative Mind all the time. I've always been this way, even as a teenager I can vividly remember walking in Dorset and being so drawn to particular colours around me, wishing back then that I'd had a camera to capture what I was seeing. Owning a digital camera has completely changed my life and I absolutely wouldn't be without it. I always carry my little pocket point-and-shoot camera with me wherever I go (it's this Sony one, in case you wanted to know) and love that taking photographs has become such an essential part of my everyday life.

Hard to believe it's now three years since I  was working on my Moorland Blanket, it's still one of my most favourite makes.

I'm currently working on my next blanket design which I'll be ready to share with you in mid November (it'll be run as another CAL which will take place in Jan/Feb 2020). I'm super excited as I'm heading off on Friday for a little inspirational visit somewhere special. I might share some sneaky photos with you, I've not decided yet - it's hard to know how much to share and how much to keep as a surprise.

Let me know what you think? Would you like to know what the colour inspiration is for my next blanket, or shall I keep it under wraps for now? I'm so so so so so excited about it by the way!!!!!

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Comments

[wasmachine]

Great article! Love your blog.

[Wasmachine Vakman]

Has ther alrady been an update?

[friteuse]

super article and blog!

[Bouwradio Expert]

When does the peak come?

[Wasmachine Vakman]

Great website and blog. Love your posts.

[Metaaldetector]

Please Lucy a little peek of your colour ins

[Strijkijzer]

Would love to see please - hoping there may be some dahlia inspiration in there?

[Vaatwasser]

Please do share a little peak

[Klimaatbeheersing in huis]

Those changes in the flow of your family can be hard but also so good!

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[TracyB]

We call the Rowan tree a mountain ash here in Canada. That Heather looks so lovely, I hope to see it one day. Thank you for sharing your walks, I love them.

[Deb Hill]

Yes, please. A peak would be good.

[Rochelle Roberts]

Yes please! I just finished my Summer Ripple in cotton this week. I am now revisiting my Dune blanket. About 1/4 to go and it will be finished. I have several of your blankets in progress. My goal is to finish some of them up before the beginning of the year. As one other person above, I am hoping for a winter mix of colors. But I am sure whatever you choose will be lovely!

[Di]

Hi Lucy

Your blog inspired me some years ago now to take up crochet and I have made many of your designs following your incredibly easy to follow patterns. I live in South Africa and will be travelling to the UK soon to visit family. We had a few days spare and they so happened to fall over Yarndale - How could I resist not booking a ticket! I am looking forward to soaking up inspiration, and exploring the moors.

[Saoirse]

I'd definitely like to know please 😊 I'd really like something frosty and wintery or autumnal 💚I'm really struggling with trying to make an autumnal blanket for a gift 😕
I'd like to really thank you Lucy because every time I read your blog I'm walking in the places I always loved, the hills, forests, along beaches by the sea and beside canals, in sunlight and on frosty days ❄💙 I used to walk miles but I've been very ill and can't do it or go far now so... thank you very much for giving me access and making such a difference to my days I love the flowers you gather and what we see of your lovely garden💙 Thank you and bless you for everything you do for us and give of yourself so generously x

[Kara]

Yes please! A sneaky peak! Cannot wait for another CAL! x

[Crafty Cath]

Look forward to seeing your new design. I love all of them!

[Jas]

Another blanket design - another hard sell.
How gullible people are.

[Susan Smith]

I'm feeling homesick now, after seeing those "gorgeous" photos. I owe you an email, but we did have so many internet problems whilst away that I just couldn't get one through. We are home now & here I am on catch up. Can't wait to start your next CAL, but you know why. Be in touch soon, after Yarndale maybe? Have a good week, & remember to take extra care of yourself leading up to this busy period. Huggles.

[Sally]

Yes please!!!! I’m excited already...just cast on the Dune blanket today

Sally x

[Lynn]

I would love to have a sneak peak of your blanket inspiration! Love your pictures of your walks. So refreshing to see wide open spaces.

[Barbara]

Absolutely love reading about your walks and seeing the photos. I am always seeing color schemes everywhere I go as well. I would love to have a sneak peek at your latest color ideas.

[Robotstofzuiger]

We need to know!!!

[Babyfoonvergelijker]

Yes, please tell me 😍

[Kay G.]

You had me at " all to ourselves". Heavenly.