We REALLY found Kes!
On our last day’s walking on holiday in the Lakes, I’d planned a great circular walk to collect Gray Crag, a Wainwright I’d missed on previous visits to the Eastern Fells. It was a stunning day, fantastic blue skies and unforgettable views towards Helvellyn, Fairfield and beyond. My two boys were in front as usual, springing along like mountain goats, trying to escape the cloud of midges intent on following us until we got to the ridge and the wind saw them off. The views were 360° as we made our way to the small summit cairn. Our Beagle Darwin was loving it but starting to feel the heat, so we decided instead of doing the rest of the ridge, we’d retrace our steps but pick up the faint path that drops you down to Hayeswater Gill.
The boys were some way in front, when I was suddenly aware I was holding up a chap and his dog who were gaining rapidly on me. Stepping aside to say hello and let them pass instead we got chatting. I said I was in my third year of Country Walking’s 1000-mile challenge and hoping to complete it by the end of the month. “Do you know who my Cocker Spaniel is?” he said... “It’s Kes, from the ‘Where’s Kes?’ page.” Of course! The beautiful conker-coloured Cocker! Darwin was excited to meet him and they exchanged sniffs and treats. Now, when my magazine arrives, we all shout .... “We've seen the real Kes, the conker-coloured Cocker!”
Jane Willmott, Somerset