WALK: Ambleside to Grasmere and back again...

The sun was shining, the birds were singing and I had my walking kit and I was alone. I was excited, beyond excited...

​The walk up from Ambleside was up a clear path up on to the Fell, then, using my navigation skills (my husband will be so proud), I found the path up to the cairn. The views were exceptional and once I had scrambled up on to the crag I gladly took time to sit and just breathe. The yoga has really taught me about breathing and how such a simple everyday act can calm and centre you completely. Believe you me, I am not usually in to all the hippy dippy stuff (despite my nick name being Hippy at PGL), but the ethos behind yoga is good, its really good...

​I have never really noticed how many people there are who walk alone, I saw plenty that day and to say we all looked smug is an understatement!

I reached the trig point on top of Loughrigg Fell in good time and settled down to a coffee, flapjack and nuts.​

​Then the mobile pinged and it was my friend saying she was starving and going on lunch. So, I decided to strap the Osprey rucksack on super snug and run down in to Grasmere. It was exhilarating. Running over the fell with Langdale Pikes winking at me on the left and Grasmere glinting at me from below it was the first feeling of pure joy I have felt for many, many months.

Grasmere village, being a Saturday was insane, so after the obligatory shopping spree in Cotswold Outdoor Rock Bottom (a must visit if you are in Grasmere) I then set off on the Coffin Route back to Ambleside.

This is a gorgeous family friendly route. We have done this with the kids one way and then caught the open top bus back (which I usually enjoy more than them).

​Being alone was invigorating and gave me a chance to free myself from all the stresses and strains of everyday life. They say that taking short holidays regularly is better for you than 1 to 2 long holidays a year, and you know what? I would agree.