Day 3 is where the weather rook a bit of a turn and instead of glorious summertime like sunshine, we went to full blown April weather; rain, wind and cold!
Despite all of this, the weather in the morning was supposed to be better than the weather in the afternoon, so I insisted we go to Welcombe Beach. Unfortunately the morning was also high tide, so we were a bit limited with what we could do whilst we were there.
Somewhat out of order in terms of blog posting! But! Better late than never…? On day 2 in Devon we went to Hartland Quays, and then to Speke’s Mill Waterfall.
Very nice it was there too. The walk from the Quays was pleasant, and then the beach was cool as well, some caves and the bottom of the waterfall and some interesting rock formations.
On Day 1 it was very hot. We decided to do part of the Coastal Path, we set off from Horn’s Cross and walked to Buck’s Mill.
It was a great surpise though as there were bluebells everywhere on the coastal path!
We then went back on ourselves and tried to get to Peppercombe, but it was a bit too hot and we’d been out for 3 and a half hours walking up and down, so we decided to call it quits and went back to the hotel.
As has become a tradition, we go away for my birthday. It started when I turned 30, when everyone chipped in and we went to the Isle of Skye for 5 days. Last year we went to Malham in the Yorkshire Dales.
This year we went back to the Yorkshire Dales, but we went to Ingleton instead.
Ingleton has (a lot of other things I’m sure) a waterfall trail, and a cave system.
Even though I’d chosen it as my place to go, I didn’t really expect it to be much; there were no good pictures of the waterfall trail or caves online when I had a quick search, so my expectations were pretty low. 
The week before we set off I printed out the Waterfall Trail leaflet, and was surprised when it said the walk was 2 1/2 – 4 hours.
The weather forecast looked so poor on the run up that we considered moving the booking to the weekend after, but my gut said stay with this weekend, so we did. 
We drove up on Saturday morning, and as predicted, it was chucking it down with rain. By the time we got to the waterfall car park (it’s about a two hour drive). So with fingers crossed we set off on the circular walk.
It was a fair walk before we saw the first waterfall, but it was a lot bigger an more impressive than I was expecting it to be. 
There was a clear path all the way around, and a places there were bridges built into the walk, so we walked right in front of the waterfalls in places.
As well as walking around the river/waterfalls there were also chunks of the walk where we were in the hills. It was a bit misty, which I love. I love winter time; the grass is an odd yellow colour and the trees are bare, and add in a bit of mist and it is just perfect. 
The walk has a lot of stairs in it, and most of the walk was on rocks so it was uneven. Even though it was advertised as strenuous and we scoffed at it, it was more steps and walking than either of us expected.
Having said that we made it around in 3 hours, even with various photo stops and drone flying stops. 
At points it was far too windy to fly my drone, and at other points there were a lot of trees and I didn’t feel too confident flying it.
One of the waterfalls was in an open spot with some benches which was ideal for flying my drone, as it was also surround by hills. 
Once we had completed the walk we checked into the hotel and had tea. We were both tired so we went to bed really early. We’d been up since 730.
In hindsight, I probably should have popped out to see the viaduct before tea…
So I’ve decided I want to burn stuff… So we bought a pyrography kit. First go!
Today is the first day for the Christmas holidays, so obviously the first thing I did was go out with my drone!
I had a lie in today, I didn’t get up until 730! Hehe The people who own the cottage I stopped in said they had noticed me leaving early every morning; the early bird catches the best light. Not much to report from today, other than the 3 hour drive was uneventful, but I did keep stopping on the way out of Derwent Water to grab shots. 
Once I was on the A66 though it was a clear drive home, apart from toilet stops and petrol stops. The Lake District was lovely, and I’m glad I visited.
This morning I got up bright and early, and set off on a three hour drive to the Lake District. 
I arrived at Derwent Water at about 10, and after quickly unpacking and the people who own the accommodation pointing out the best walks I set off to hike up Catbells.
This is my first solo holiday, and up until setting off up the mountain (It’s only a small one, but it’s still a mountain!) I was starting to regret going on my own. There is something about sharing a view with someone. 
And there is definitely something about not having to carry 10KG of camera equipment, and a tripod, and your lunch and a bottle of water, and your layers all on your own. (Shout out to kB here, as he normally carries my layers, water and tripod!)
I’m also petty rubbish at steep climbs with uneven steps, and this is what Catbells is at first. 
Once I could see the summit I was fine, and going down it always easier that going up!
I then went back to the cottage for a bit, and had some lunch. 
Then I set off out to Honister Pass, but I drove here. The sunset itself was a nothing event (too many mountains perhaps), but before the sun set the sky was a lovely colour.
I finished off by trying to get the a jetty at Derwent Water, but the one closest to where I am staying had about 5 people setting up fairy lights on it, so I left it and came home. 
Pizza and sticky toffee pudding for tea, and I am more than ready for bed!
Another lazy day on day 4, more swimming in the sea, more cocktails… However I got up for sunrise (again) but this time went into the mountain first, then came back down to the beach.
Manadh Photography 