Hi, I’m Lauren, and this is my first blog.

I love the outdoors and walking. There’s just something special about being outside, in the mountains, a forest or beach.

I used to spend a lot of time in the Lake District, travelling up from Manchester every fortnight or so. I’d get out walking in the fells, or round the lakes. Sometimes I’d just spend the weekend in Ambleside, eating and singing bad karaoke.

On one walk round Buttermere I found a sign on a gate requesting volunteers for Fix the Fells. An introduction day, and several training days later and I found myself coming up to the Lakes with a purpose. Maintaining and repairing the upland paths. It was around this time that I decided I would officially start bagging the Wainwrights.

I did this for around three years taking in some gorgeous places with brilliant, passionate people. I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone who enjoys the beautiful places of the Lake District.

In 2012 my partner and I had the best news. I was pregnant. In 2013, our amazing son Rowan was born. At this point, the walking and volunteering had stopped. We had had a new adventure in our lives…

Me and the boy on Rivington Pike. Pebble hiding round the back

Now Rowan is six, and he loves being outside too. I’ve found myself missing the Lake District more and more. So, in 2016, I decided to start walking the Wainwrights again, starting from the beginning again (and why not). No rush to get them done – just getting out exploring them.

This blog will be about getting back to the Wainwrights and introducing the boy to some of the amazing places our landscape has to offer – the Lake District and beyond. There are likely to be bits about running as I need to get a bit fitter. It also gives me the opportunity to get writing and taking more photos – another joy of mine.  I would love it if some of the photos and posts may inspire people to discover their own exploits in the great outdoors.

Hope you enjoy our adventures…