We’re extremely lucky to live where we do. In as little as 3.4 miles from our front door, we can reach an idyllic little spot on the slopes of Kinder, for an easy night out. Of course if you wish, you can make the journey there and back as circuitous and as long as you want, turning it into a much bigger venture, but Pebbles and I just fancied a quick sleepover.
It was pretty hot, so it was a good chance for Pebbles to try out her Swamp Cooler Vest underneath her panniers. It worked well.
Last time I camped by this ruin I was completely on my own and I have to say that despite being a lovely spot, once it had gone dark it seemed to take on quite a spooky atmosphere. I was sure it’d be fine this time though, with Pebbles to scare off anything lurking in the shadows.
But at around midnight, when Pebbles suddenly woke me up with a menacing growl routine, aimed at something outside the tent, she put me right on edge. Clearly unable to settle again, she needed to go out and check what was going on. I finally gave in and went out with her for a bit of a prowl around. The sky was dark and star filled, and I could clearly count 4 planes lining up for landing at Manchester Airport.
Pebbles, however, wasn’t interested in the beauty of the night. She just wanted to stand – rigidly staring at something in the vicinity of the big tree near us.
So, still feeling less than totally relaxed, we returned to the tent. Thankfully, after a few minutes on Twitter – complete with both ghost and crazed maniac jokes from friends who were still up and awake back in normal reality land – I found myself chilled, laughing and ready to sleep again.
The rest of the night passed peacefully and we awoke to a scorcher of a morning.
Dixie 
Aye, you don’t need a reason – just get out there and do it!
LikeLike
Absolutely, JJ! 😀
LikeLike
Glad to be a crazed maniac friend 🙂 Being an anxiety sufferer myself, sometimes odd noises can freak me out haha Glad you had a great time, and you have some beautiful photographs of the memories.
Atb Mark
LikeLike
Thanks Mark! Yes, Pebbles was being a good guard, but yet slightly unsettling at the same time 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought we lived in a lovely part of the country but you definitely surpass the Blackdowns. Stunning scenery 🏕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ellen, we do feel a bit spoilt here!😊
LikeLike
I had a hedgehog come into my tent porch one night in Langdale. Took me ages to pluck up courage to undo the zip to see what it was. He’d got into the carrier bag I had put some leftover food in. Oh how I laughed. Later.
LikeLike
😂Just imagine if it had been several rats
….😵
LikeLike
Lovely pictures Chrissie. Kinder is beautiful at any time of the year. Love Pebbles cool vest & panniers. Best wishes.
LikeLike
Thanks John! That vest works quite well – even better than I expected. Boxers usually struggle a bit in the heat so anything that makes it easier for them is good. She is tired tonight though, but it was her first camping trip since being very poorly a few weeks back.
LikeLike
Cracking photos Chrissie. Nothing like a spot of spooky to liven up the night! Probably only an owl or something? Good to see Pebbles doing her duty though.
LikeLike
As you probably know Dawn, I quite like a bit of spooky, but I was a touch surprised at how much on edge I felt at one point!😂 Pebbles was very brave though, couldn’t wish for a better, personal bodyguard 😍
LikeLike
It looks so idyllic Chrissie. Great to see Pebbles back to her old self. 👍
LikeLike
Thanks Andy, couldn’t have wished for better weather! Yes, lovely to see Pebbles back to normal. She did very well considering she’s not totally keen on very hot weather, and it’s still not long since she was poorly. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t beat a good ghost story! 😉 Wonder what it was? I love atmospheric old ruins but not sure how I’d be on my own at night – possibly okay but you can never tell till it happens can you?
I think your return journey is the way I went in to Kinder Scout when I did it with my friend who lives in Glossop. Looked familiar anyway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’ll be so much history there – the ruin dates back to at least the 1500s – it’s certainly atmospheric! Of course like you, I prefer to think it was something spooky rather than something more mundane… 😀
It’s quite likely you took that route up Kinder with your friend, it’s a fairly popular way out of the village.
LikeLike
I loved Kinder – didn’t like Bleaklow though – we did it in very bleak weather and I don’t think that helped!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bleaklow can definitely be very bleak!
LikeLike
it’s very well named
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent trip out, looks like Pebbles is much more at home camping now. I had the “Hedgehog in the tent” moment as well (coincidentally in Langdale). Sounded like a huge beast and frightened the **** out of me till I took a look. It just looked up at me, carried on rustling through my provisions then calmly wandered off
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Pebbles is getting there – starting to grow up and calm down a touch! It’s quite nice to know that she’s learning to guard too, despite the fact that she’s really as soft as putty 😀
Do you know, I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a hedgehog? One house we lived in as a child was next to a lake though, and we had water rats in the garden…
LikeLike
I see hedgehogs quite regularly, and rats quite often scurrying in the garden. Scary when you corner them
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely not too keen on rats…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hate it when something wakes you up in the middle of the night. You lie there with your ears wide open and can’t settle again for ages.
Alen
LikeLiked by 1 person
And my imagination runs riot…… 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person