Knitting in the Pyrenees

Knitting in the Pyrenees
Originally uploaded by bykercolin

This photograph was taken in 2008 while I was walking the GR11 footpath from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.

This is my with my knitting up by Balneario de Panticosa.

Knitting at The Combe, Borrowdale

Knitting at The Combe, Borrowdale
Originally uploaded by bykercolin

I did this piece in November 2010. It is in a very quiet valley on the path to nowhere. When I was here last year there were shepherds gathering in their sheep - whistleing to their dogs, shouting accross the Combe and the sun was shining.

I spent a day up there in November 2010 to do some painting and just to look. There were two people rock climbing a large crag and that was it, most walkers keep to the path up to Glaramara.

There are a couple of sheepfolds - one at the head of the valley and one just as it falls down to Borrowdale. There is a fantastic rock coloured red by sheep after they have been smit marked.

An all round amazing Lakeland valley.

The Combe piece

The Combe piece
Originally uploaded by bykercolin

And here is its location. I hope that it survives the winter up there on the fells.

The Combe piece

The Combe piece
Originally uploaded by bykercolin

Was walking over in Borrowdale in November so did the piece up at The Combe. Lovely valley.

Piece at Tray Dub

DSC02932
Originally uploaded by bykercolin

Did this little piece after the Great Langdale Marathon. Walked over from Langdale to Borrowdale - beautiful day. Tray Dub is quite atmospheric after descending from Stake Pass, past that beautiful waterfall and in to the valley bottom at Langstrath. Heaven. Heaven. Heaven.

To left a small token of my love on the bridge. Held delicately there by two lengths of Herdwick yarn. I wonder if it will survive the winter?

And on to Borrowdale...

Wool and testicles

I was listening to that programme on R4 the other day about Sturm und Drang, which roughly translates as Storm and Urge. Something I had not heard about before - the reaction to late 18th century rationalism in the Enlightenment - the release of emotions, passion and anarchy. Interesting. The byline was 'Heart with testicles' because it was about passion and was done only by men - Goethe and his gang.

Which got me thinking that the world of wool could do with some of that...

... so watch this space and keep an eye out for fleece in a space near you.

Grafitti Herdwick

Grafitti Herdwick
Originally uploaded by bykercolin

Has anyone done a study of Lakeland smit marks? I think that they are amazing.