26/02/2026
Well that’s all folks! At least for now at any rate. A bad hip has finally forced me to admit that I can no longer give the dogs the kind of walks that they deserve.
What a fantastic almost 10 years it has been. It started off with one or two friends asking me if I would take their dogs with my Maggie on my trips to The Lakes. I agreed, thinking that it may at least pay for my petrol. Without any advertising, within a year or so I was regularly taking 5-6 dogs with me up on the fells, 5 days a week. I don’t think anyone could have a better job.
We survived COVID, prostate cancer, but this hip has finally got me.
Due to the cancer treatment and the beginning of my hip problems, the high fells of The Lakes became out of reach. My very best memories were of days spent on the likes of Great Gable, the Coledale and Newlands rounds, Haweswater area, the quieter areas of the Northern Fells, Carrock, High Pike and the rest. In fact, all the fells of what could be described as the Central and Northern Fells. More recently I was reduced to 2 days a week, but still loved the likes of Geltsdale, Gelt Woods, Allonby Beach and other lovely places.
If forced to choose a favourite I would have to say Blencathra. What a fantastic fell. If you are wondering why then go out and have a look.
Of course the stars of the show have been the dogs. What an amazing bunch I have had the pleasure of spending quality time with. I’m not going to pick out favourites, my goodness it would start a riot. Just suffice to say that I have loved them all and it has been an absolute honour and pleasure to have got to know them.
This sounds awfully like a goodbye, but who knows. With the waiting lists being the way they are, it will be the best part of a year before, if everything goes well, that I would be back out walking again. But then … well let’s wait and see.
To my clients, thank you for letting me walk your dogs. To the many hundreds that follow this page, I hope you have enjoyed the pictures. Most importantly, to the dogs, make sure you get your owners off the sofa and get plenty of walking in!
