Mum and Dad and the Lake District

 

In the 1930s Mum (and later Mum and Dad) stayed at Mrs Ullock’s farm at the head of Wast Water. It was their youthful equivalent of Mrs Roscamps in Grange-in-Borrowdale where we were to stay throughout the 1960s and early 70s. This photo was taken outside Mrs Ullock’s in 1967 but it was assumed she had long since departed this life.


Great Gable from Mrs Ullock's.



That same year – Dad’s 59th and Mum’s 58th – they climbed to the top of Scafell Pike, the highest spot in England at 3209 feet (978 metres). At the time I thought it marvellous that they should accomplish this. Though GB has followed in their footsteps by climbing Clisham (‘only’ 2622 feet but from a lower starting point) recently, I no longer think it marvellous, I think it bloody marvellous. I am so unfit, especially since giving up the caravan and its walks, that two flights of stairs knock me out!


Dad, Phil and Mum at the summit of Blencathra.


And on Haystacks – with Phil in his infamous red socks which were always the subject of much comment!.