Global Sport Stories

It turns out as a supply teacher, the half term holidays slap even harder than when you are a student. Four weeks we had been back after the Easter period, and suddenly I had a night’s escape in the Lake District booked in before showing some old friends the place I have called home for three and a bit years – and none of it on the weekend!

An unexpected interlude of sunshine, contrary to every forecast, allowed for our day in the lakes to end with a dip in Derwentwater, having enjoyed a blustery hike just outside of Keswick. As my friend was deep into his triathlon training, he was eager to embark on a little open water swim. As it happened, I had my paddleboard in the van with me (I love it when that happens), meaning I was on hand to act as the perfect support crew. 

The swim however, was short lived. And not because of the swimmer…but because of the aforementioned support crew. Did you know that when there is a little bit of wind around, even lakes can produce waves? Let’s just say that when I mentioned previously that I went for a dip, I wasn’t planning on doing so quite when I did…

Okay, waves as we know them may be an exaggeration, but let’s just say the excessively strong ripples of Derwentwater meant paddling alongside my mate became impossible. Sadly, that was mission aborted. For that brief but glorious ten or so minute spell though, when we were both making progress, it felt brilliantly exciting.

A couple days later and I was dipping again, this time however it was voluntary! The murky red coloured plunge pool of Lindhope Spout offered a change of scenery to the somewhat blue waters of the lakes – I believe the former gets its colour from the clay in the surrounding soil. 

Some childhood friends were visiting me in the North-East and I was eager to show them just all the area had to offer. Benevolently, I had never actually been to the spout before, so it offered a new experience for us all. The hike up to it could take as long or as short as you’d like. In retrospect we parked a little too far away, so what was planned as a 5km hike turned into more like 14km!

This only meant that we had worked up more of a sweat than we first expected though, therefore, it made the dip at the base of the waterfall so much sweeter. As we arrived there were some fellow cold water seekers in wetsuits – what softies! They did however prove to us that you could hurtle into the water off a rock about five metres up and come away unscathed, so for that we’ll let them off the wetsuit wearing.

I believe it says a lot about the North-East that this was arguably the highlight of my friends’ visit. Of course they saw the obligatory sights of favourite pubs and the city centre but something about having a place like Lindhope Spout within reach transforms one’s opinions on a place. For me it acts as a reminder that you don’t have to jet off somewhere exotic to find these swim spots with waterfalls… you just have to be prepared for colder water and the ever pending threat of rain to hit at any minute. But hey, you can’t have it all. 

Before my friends headed for home, we of course had to fit a beach trip in. Sadly no waves meant no surf, but still sometimes you can’t beat knocking a football about with sand grating off your feet’s skin. 

We were hoping to fit in a climb, but sadly weather and time did not permit. My girlfriend and I did get along to a new climbing gym for myself though – which was a thoroughly enjoyable way to round off the week. 

It was my first time climbing since doing so on actual rock in the great outdoors. Despite not climbing too well on that occasion, it breathed a new found confidence into me for my return to the gym. As a relative rookie to climbing as a sport, I am probably stating the obvious to say how much of a confidence related sport it is, but as I climb more and more, it only becomes clearer to me. For some reason, the nicely marked out routes and huge padded mats that the gyms have seemed to reassure me for that session – unbelievable I know!

I’m sure next time I am on rock my abilities will have dwindled again, however, this session, as I say, was a perfect little ego boost and a great way to cap off the week. 

Through visiting different places and being responsible for showing others these different and also some familiar settings, it makes one view these from a different perspective. Personally, this week reminded me how much I loved being outdoors and the value of simple pleasures. Hiking with friends, cold water immersion and beach football are just a few examples.

It also made me appreciate the area right on my doorstep, something I think we all forget to do a lot of the time. So for that reason and those mentioned above – it really was a memorable half term.

(That being said, next week’s blog will come from Switzerland – a place I can also very much appreciate…)