Rainy Days and Sundays

Many years ago I remember, when walking with one of my sprogs in weather which was, perhaps, less than summery, I was asked a well directed question, enriched with meaning and much too deep for a seven-year old.

"Dad? Am I enjoying this yet, Dad?"

All I can say is that one of us was enjoying the fine spray and the view of a dramatic gully with its bit of mist floating about it.

And one of us may have been more interested in whether or not it was time to eat the choccy bars.

But there's nothing that enhances the view of a dramatic gully than a bit of mist floating about it. It's more . . . er . . . dramatic.

I've been thinking about this (something to do on a wet day) and my conclusion is that there's something I really enjoy about the fells on a damp and blustery day when the hillfog is hurtling by in a half-gale, the crags are dripping and the hill has drizzle for curtains.

I'm not entirely sure what the attraction might be, except to say that when I'm nicely wrapped up in my very best waterproofs and thermal stuff and I'm cosily protected against the elements, for some reason, I actually start to feel part of the hill and the wind and, well, everything.

This shouldn't be too surprising because, in reality that's exactly what I am.

I'm sure, though, that were I to be dressed in anything less than a weatherproof shell, I'd probably be shivering with a different perspective, but if we don't go out when the weather isn't perfect, then sometimes we'll hardly ever go out at all.

Personally, I'm looking forward to a nice, blustery autumn, with some watery sun, the odd bit of sleet and just an occasional thin smear of ice. Where's me thermals?

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© Mike Knipe. Mike Knipe is an experienced outdoor enthusiast, walk leader and writer who has worked with Durham County Council and English Nature (aka Natural England).

Other articles by Mike Knipe on go4awalk.com include:

The Mike Knipe Column

The Art of Getting Lost . . .

How to start Peak Bagging . . .

How to sound like a walking expert . . . (writing as Gnasher the Dog) and

Is that a Mitt in your pocket - or are you just pleased to see me?

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“Waiting for the perfect day will leave you indoors forever. My most memorable walks have been in the rain and the ice cold, what better way to enjoy winter than by a waterfall adorned with icicles - a perfect antedote the xmas madness”

Lyn Dodds

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“This article brought back old memories of being a on a walking trip organised by my school walking club for kids and adults. We ended up on the Long Mynd in Shropshire in a howling blizzard where you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. But for me, my mum and the dog it was the best walk we ever did and I can still remember it vividly 25 years later!”

Rebecca Edwards, Leicester

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“Mike, I love this article. I can clearly remember being up a hill in North Wales, sheltering behind a wall in wind and thick mist and a bit of drizzle, eating my sandwiches and thinking, "I'm actually emjoying this". I wonder - have you ever come across a track by the Strawbs called "I turned my face into the wind"? I find that song beautifully evocative of so many moments in my life.”

Peter Royle, Uckfield,, East Sussex

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