Move over Mrs Beeton

I made the skull decorations for these gruesome confections today.

They're for a colleague's birthday, who's into all things grisly and ghoulish.

What's a hospice?

Over the bank holiday I spent a week camping and canoeing in the Lake District.

We took an open canoe and explored Windermere and Coniston, visiting Peel Island. Apparently this island was an inspiration for the Swallow's camp in the Swallows and Amazons books. Donald Campbell died close to the island in 1967 while trying to set a waterspeed record over 300mph.

One evening we walked to this place on Hampsfell near Grange-over-Sands.

The "rangefinder" on the roof indicates various landmarks and there are great views over Morcambe Bay and the Lake District Fells. Inside there are some interesting inscriptions. Read more here.

Those canoe trips in full

Three weeks ago I went kayaking on the River Wharfe with friends and one was kind enough to take a photo (thanks Richard). I had two swims on that trip. Once at Loup Scar because I wasn't warmed up or paying enough attention and another,at Woodhouse rapids, due to experimenting with how little "edge" I needed to apply to cross the current. More, it turned out!

This photo's taken on the lower section of Appletreewick Falls, the most notable rapid on the river (a class 3) which I actually negotiated without incident.

Today I had an even better trip on the River Greta near Ingleton. I made a conscious effort to be alert from the outset and felt more actively relaxed. Although I was apprehensive on arrival at the main class 3 rapids, my friends pointed out the line and I ran them with no problems. Exhilarating!

The icing on the cake, however (together with the company, scenery and sightings of heron, kingfisher and dipper) was an otter. My first, and certainly something that will make the trip stick in my mind for a long time.