I've just returned from my annual walking trip to the Lakes, burning with fresh inspiration fuelled by the spectacular landscapes. This year my friends and I in the NCWC (Narlas Cipple Walking Club) tackled Grisedale Round and Hartsop Hill. During the hum-drum of the usual working day it's easy to forget the majesty and drama of this favourite part of England.
Timing of the trip was apt, as I'm currently re-working the mountain scenes of The King's Blades. My original inspiration for the sequence, set amongst the peaks of Queen Bell to the south of Farsee Forest, came from similar expeditions with the NCWC. To have the chance to gain a 'top-up' of my recollections was wonderful.
We climbed high, saw peaks behind peaks, glimpsed mighty bodies of water: Windermere, sparkling like the discarded fragments of a broken mirror; Derwentwater, wrapped about the crumpled rug hills like spilt water.
So, its onwards with the re-drafting this week. Until next time, up the Elves!