Mosedale

We headed East for a walk starting out at Mardale Head and taking in one of the many Mosedales in the Lake District. Mosedale means 'wet valley'. It is never wrong, and never more so than today! It was supposed to be a cloudy start, but a promising forecast. When we set off though it was beginning to look like the forecast might be wrong. Full waterproofs went on as a precaution - but stayed on all day

 As we headed up Gatesgarth pass, the first thing to strike us was how much water there was about. We had had hardly any rain at home, but there must have been some serious weather in these parts yesterday

 From Gatesgarth we turned at Brownhowe Bottom and headed into Mosedale. Many becks and gills need crossing through here, and it was no easy feat in these conditions. As lunchtime arrived, so did Mosedale Cottage - a welcome sight on a very damp day

 As we neared the cottage, Mr B spotted a small herd of Red Deer. Rutting season is well underway now, so if you keep your eyes peeled in these fells you might just be lucky (not the best picture, but evidence at least!)

 Walking round to the front door

 And into the dry and warm of Mosedale Cottage. Maintain by the mountain bothys association. Our lunch stops just get better and better!

 Chance for us all to dry off a bit, although some of us are a little wetter than others - by choice!

 From Mosedale we walked around Nabs More and over Swine Gill before reaching Swindale Head where we joined the old corpse road. Looking back from the old corpse road we could see where we had come from - the centre of the skyline here

 Following the old corpse road for a couple of miles brings you back to the road alongside Haweswater for a nice gentle end to a wet soggy walk! Over 10 miles and an awful lot of bog dodging!

Once back in the car and about to drive off, we were approached by two men. Well kitted out with all the gear - poles, rucksacks, expensive coats etc. They asked us how far it was to the main road! If you know this area, you will be laughing already. If you don't it might even be worth the effort of looking on Google maps at 'Mardale Head'. These two fools had been walking from Hartsop (check that out on Google too) and had taken a wrong turn. They had no map, no idea where they were (half an hour by car to the nearest main road!) and were wanting to find a bus route to get them back to their car at Hartsop.
Being kind souls, we managed to squeeze them into the backseat - complete with all their gear (wet) and poor Jay who had been sitting quite comfortably up to this point. We dropped them at the Hawswater hotel, where they were going to summon a taxi. Rather them than us to pay the taxi fare!