Random Daily Walks: October 2013

Grisedale Tarn

It was looking like a wet last day and so it turned out towards the return.

Route

However although the big tops were in cloud the walk up the valley was clear. We took the northern path gradually climbing past Ruthwaite Lodge, now a climbing hut and eventually to Grisdale Tarn where we stopped for lunch. Just below us 4 tents were parked near the tarn, they were in for a wet night.

Grisedale Tarn

We retraced our steps to the climbing hut and then took the southern path back to Patterdale. The forecast rain had now commenced in earnest and we were lucky to have missed most of it.

On our descent the "Navigator" shouted out "bikes" and with that two mountain bikers swooped past. We came across them a little later and they had cycled up to Helvellyn starting at Glenridding and presumably then up Sticks Pass to Raise, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, Dollywagon and down. Mad, mad but clearly enjoying the experience.

That's the end of our "boys week".

Llanmynech and Pant

The "boys week" had come around again and as usual the October week was to be spent in the Lake District. Our base was in Patterdale at Patterdale Hall Estate in a comfortable chalet.

I very nearly had to cancel because of a prolonged and continuing bout of sciatica, but hoped that tablets and less ambition may see me through. Even low level walks in the Lake District are more than worthwhile and I had great faith in the "Navigator" to ensure good walks would be had.

With the car packed we set off north. As is usual on our jaunts we stop en route for a short walk to enable legs to be stretched. This time, to avoid a long time driving we stopped in PANT just outside of the Welsh border where the "Navigator" had been eyeing up the limestone outcrop as worthy of exploration.

Route

Worthy it was. We walked alongside the Montgomery Canal and then up into an area of long abandoned quarries and onto a fine viewpoint where we had lunch.

Neatly carved quarry

Spot the goats

Hard graft

Navigator checking the panel was correct

The way back found us on Offas Dyke for a short while.

Possibly sulphur tuft

This area deserves more time than we had as there were numerous paths to explore.

We continued our journey north to our base for the week, spotting various hills we had already ticked off in the past.

Derwent Water and Walla Crag

The " Navigator" had expressed a wish to visit Keswick during the week to visit a travel agent who specializes in the Azores as he is planning a holiday there in 2014.

As the weather on Monday was looking damp in the morning, Keswick seemed a good idea with the possibility of a walk after seeing the travel agent.

Route

With the promise of an itinerary being sent and the taste of an Azorian cake inside us and the weather looking better we set off for a walk along the shore of Derwent Water and then up to Ashness Bridge. Amazingly I was able to take a photo of this well known landmark with no one else around.

Landing stage Derwent Water

Catbells across the lake

Ashness Bridge

From here we headed upwards along a path leading to Walla Crag and back down through Keswick without being tempted into any gear shops!

Open canoes on Derwent

Derwent Water and Keswick

Bowscale Fell and Bannerdale Crag

Today was forecast to be the best of the week and dosed up on pain killers we headed off to park in Mungrisdale.

Route

The walk along the road to spot height 235 was continually interrupted by numerous cars and 4x4,s containing lots of people wearing flat caps. When a trailer passed by carrying hounds we assumed that a hunt was to take place - hopefully legal.

From spot height 235 we struck uphill on a steep track to Raven Crags and onto Bowscale Fell. We looked over to Bowscale Tarn which Wainwright told us was a fine example of a glacial lake.

Meditation time

Rainbow

Bowscale summit

A glacial lake

Lunch was taken at the northern end of Bannerdale Crags before we skirted around to the cairn marking the top. Fine views of Blencathra opened up and the steep ascent of Sharp Edge - another time.

Lunch break

Living on the edge

Blencthra

We went off piste and wandered downhill across White Horse Bent and followed the Glendermackin river back to Mungrisdale.

River art

Dovedale

We parked the car at Brothers Water with the plan to walk up Dovedale.

Route

At Hartsop Hall Farm a typical Lake District view appeared with old buildings and sheep gathered in the yard. As I extracted my camera the sheep started to disappear into another yard and I was just lucky to catch about half of them - don't work with children and animals!

Just after the farm there are two paths one being the public path and another not signed which climbs steadily onto the open access land and much higher up joins the public path. We took the climbing path which is to be recommended. As you progress up into the valley it turns right leading into the head of the valley where all is quiet.

Our return followed our outward journey but then we joined the public path passing a superb waterfall where we had lunch.

On passing the the farm again we watched a fairly botched attempt of dog and man attempting to load sheep into a trailer. The walk back to the car saw full waterproofs donned.

A Stag Do

No, this was not a day of debauchery but a walk through Martindale with the hope of seeing and hearing the stags.

Route

We caught the boat from Glenridding and travelled to Howtown.

Cloudy tops

From here we walked into the village and onto the path under Steel End and joined the minor road by the Parish Church, St Peters, leading to Martindale. At the next church we read about the deeds in the area.

Coffee Break

By the time we reached Dale Farm we had seen a stag up on the hills towards Beds Fell and from there on we could hear them becoming increasingly louder as we neared the end of the valley. With strained eyes we saw more of them.