Day 4 Newlands Valley

The weather had changed today and it was pouring down with little hope of walking on any high fells today. The morning was spent reading and regular visits to the windows!

By lunchtime there was some improvement and after an early lunch we donned the kit and set foot outdoors. The loose plan was to stay low  and follow the paths into the  Newlands Valley (click for info)

Route (Click)

Just below our cottage at Keskadale Farm we squelched along a path towards the lane which leads to Low High Snab.  

We however we headed down the lane towards the wood and then south east past Low House Farm and under Scope End where the waste from gold and other minerals were mined. (click on link above)

 Crossing the footbridge we took the footpath towards Little Town - aptly named!.  Just near here we were asked by a couple, who did not seem kitted out for a walk in the hills, if the path they were on would lead to Cat Bells.  Reluctantly we pointed them in the right direction.  I only hope the lady's handbag contained all they would need!

Our route was to Skelgill, past the private hostel and the road back to Little Town. From here we took the lane which went past the lovely Newlands  Church (Click) and then on back to Keskadale  via Gill brow.

Day 3 - High Spy and Maiden Moor

We were walking by 0915 and the day started very autumnal, with mist in the valley and trees showing numerous colours.

Route

We parked near the Borrowdale Hotel in Grange and took the footpath opposite. The waterfall shown on the map was visited and then up to Cockley How  for an early coffee and views back into the valley. 

The route continued up and below Low White Rake and then  Nitting Haws although at first glance there was no obvious way though the rock formations.

 From there we were led onto the ridge which joins High Spy and Maiden Moor.

As we had made good progress we turned south and headed for High Spy passing the impressive cairn and looked for a lunch stop out of the wind.

There were some good views from the top and after "The Navigator" pointed out the various fells (I believed him) we returned to the ridge and headed for Maiden Moor.  

The green line was followed for a short time but we walked a little east to the dotted line shown on the map and headed to Hause Gate

The green line was followed for a short time but we walked a little east to the dotted line shown on the map and headed to Hause Gate

Our route was to the south east towards Manesty and back to the car.

Day 2 - Causey Pike

The forecast was looking good and the The Navigator's plan to climb Causey Pike was on.

Route

We left the car at base which lays under Ard Crags and walked downhill to join the path which follows the valley of Rigg Beck. The going was  quite wet underfoot but became drier as we climbed.  Elevenses were had on the small scree slope just below the old woodland shown on the map.

We were looking for the path which climbs north west onto a bwlch on Scar Crags.

 We turned up too early and followed a number of sheep trods until the main path made itself known. 

At the bwlch we could see a zig zag path which had clearly been recently engineered heading onto Sail. There were a number of people scattering what we assumed were heather seeds along the path and in due course growth will appear to soften the edges of the path.

We turned our back on Sail and headed up onto Causey Pike where we had lunch and looked out at the views.

Our route back continued east from the summit and onto Sleet Hause and  Rowling End.  This was a steep descent in places but we were soon at Rowling End Farm and the minor road back to base.

Day 1 Howgills

We left home near Carmarthen just after 0900 and headed up through Mid Wales and near Chester joined the motorways heading north. Usually we try to have a short walk to stretch the legs when our destination is near and today was no exception.

Most people know Tebay as a convenient service station on the M6, but we turned off here to park in the village of Tebay. 

Here is the route 

This walk was not a good omen for me as I forgot to take my camera and phone.  I had also forgotten to replace the footbeds in my boots and thought I had left my poles behind!

Never mind, it was only to be a short walk but this was the first time I had put a foot on the Howgills.  The views over the route of the M6 and the far eastern Lake District Fells and into the lesser known Borrowdale were a good introduction to our week to come..

Back at the car I was pleased to find that all my missing items were in place and we set off for the rest of our journey to Keskadale Farm and our cottage for the week.

Mrs Navigators stew was demolished in three helpings each!

A WEEK IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

We ( me and "The Navigator" ) were based near the Newlands Valley in a cottage on Keskadale Farm (click). The weather was mixed but good on the days we went high.

Briefly the destinations were:-

Saturday - Short walk on the Howgills

Sunday  - - Causey Pike

Monday -  High Spy and Maiden Moor

Tuesday - Newlands Valley

Wednesday - Dodd

Thursday - Borrowdale

Friday - Hindscarth and Robinson

Read on for further information and photographs.

Carmarthen Fans

The weather for the week had been mixed to say the least, but Saturday was looking glorious and so a plan was hatched to take my neighbour, Paul, on his first outing to Carmarthen Fans.

Just before bed on Friday I had a last look at the weather and it was still showing lots of yellow suns.

We arrived at the car park just below the filter beds and hatchery to find two other cars in place.

I briefly explained the legend of the Lady of the Lake and Paul thought the illustration on the interpretation panel looked a lot like Nigella.  No wonder the farm lad thought he was in luck!

Here is our route (click)

On the track up we met some folks coming down and could only assume they must have had a night on the hill.  The stream on the lright of the path was full and flowing well over the falls.

At the lake we had elevenses and then set off up the path to the first summit of Waun Lefrith with views down to Llyn Y Fan Fach and the hills beyond.

Then on to Picws Du.There was then a steep downhill to the bwlch where we had lunch in the sun.

Refreshed we took the direct route up to Fan Brycheiniog and had a look around the the circular cairn which in windy conditions is a god send.  Down below was Llyn y Fan Fawr.

We now headed back but stuck to the edge and visited Fan Foel.  

Near here is a large circle of land with some material resembling that used for weed control.  Paul suggested this was used to cover archaeology digs. See  link

The path back down to the bwlch has now been engineered and probably better than the rutted track which had previously been there.

At the bwlch we took the zig zag track which leads one below Picws Du and across the moor back to the car.

We stopped en route for a cuppa.

 Looking back at the hills we saw a para glider heading our way and he landed back at our car park which was now full. The farm, Blaenau which is just down the road from the car parking area has a cafe and I believe only open at weekends and looks very inviting, but we passed.

A good way to start October.  Hopefully I will be just as lucky a little later in the month when "The Navigator" and I head for the Lake District.

Frenni Fawr (Preseli Hills)

Owing to pre-booked appointments our walk today was planned to be a little shorter than usual.  However "The Navigator" had come up with a plan which would still make for a good walk.

We were headed for Crymych and one of the Preseli Hills outliers - Frenni Fawr.

Here is the Route (click)

We walked a short distance outside of the centre of Crymych towards the cemetery shown on the OS map and then followed a path parallel to the dismantled railway. We passed a disbanded farm and had early elevenses by the disused quarry near a lovely named farm - Jollity Farm.  We passed some pigs who seemed very happy in their muddy field.

The path was well sign posted and included a diverted path which led us near to Penlan-Uchaf before the short pull up to the top of Frenni Fawr. On the way up we came across a number of fungi of the wax cap variety which included the meadow wax cap, the blackening wax cap, the parrot wax cap and I think a hygrocybe persistens (yellow). 

This is the time of year to see these colourful fungi and they are normally found in unimproved pastures. It is of course the season for lots more fungi. If you are within striking distance of the National Botanic Garden of Wales on the 14th October there is day dedicated to all things fungi.

Lunch was consumed just off the top of Frenni Fawr but not before looking at the views towards the main Preseli Hills, Dinas Island and in the distance Worm's Head on the Gower.

The route off the top was north west following the established path down to the road. 

We soon turned off heading for Cidigill.  On this lane we noticed a sheep who had managed to get its head stuck in the wire fence.  As Mrs Navigator approached, the sheep panicked and pulled itself free.  Judging by the dirty fleece it had been there some time and was clearly very hungry.

By Cidigill we made a detour as our planned path was blocked by a farmer who was loading cattle into a trailer.  This led us back to the main road where we spotted the rare sight of the shy Welsh dragon.

 We then turned onto the minor road leading back to our car.