Starting to Look Familiar?

 

After our failed attempt at a walk on Friday, we had another go today. This time Jay was with us, and we didn't have a time limit so we could go a bit further. Off we went to Swineside and parked just before Grainsgill Bridge again.

 

This is a regular spot for a dog walk, Breeze knows her way around here. Off we go down the Cumbria Way again.

That's Great Calva ahead. We will be climbing up the fence line which you can see as a green line in the heather.

Looking back from part way up the steep climb.

As we get near to the top, the clouds that have been obscuring the view start to roll away a bit. It was incredibly still today, so low cloud rolled around all day although we were never actually in cloud.

We stopped for lunch on the top of Great Calva. Breeze is beginning to learn that a rest at lunch time is a good idea.

Tired eyes.

Enjoying the view

Mummies Little Princess!

After lunch we walked on to Knott. Looking back down to Thirlmere, Great Calva is the pointy fell on the right.

Knott summit

Spot the difference

From Knott we headed across to Great Lingy Hut.

 

Before heading back down to Grainsgill Beck


About 8.5 miles today. Warm and still and hardly anyone about. Not a bad start to the week.

 

A Shorter Route Than Planned

We planned a shortish walk today - about 6 miles as we had to be in Keswick for about 5:30pm in time for a meal with pals before the Theatre. We got a bit less than we bargained for though!

 

 

It was just us today, Jay couldn't make it. We parked just before Grainsgill Bridge up Swineside, and headed down the Cumbria Way. It was cooler than it looks!



After a bit more than a mile, Husband noticed blood on Breeze's leg. On closer inspection, it was bleeding quite badly, although it didn't look to be much of a wound.

Out comes the first aid kit and a bonio for good measure. With a dog that runs at 100mph through any undergrowth/water/stones that she comes across, there was no way this was going to stay on for long, so the decision was made. Turn round and head back to the car.

As a friend said   She's a spaniel. She will only stop running if she'd lost a leg. Then I'm not sure if she wouldn't just run round in circles!!! He knows his spaniels!!

Total distance walked - about 2.5 miles. Never mind, there's always another day.

Doing The Dodds on a Very Special Day

Husband has a bad back but the weather is too good to miss, so with his permission (!), Jay and I set out for a girls only walk. We decide to go up onto the Dodds, as the only time Jay has been there before it rained all day and we didn't see a thing. Today was definitely going to be different.

Today is a special day too. It's Breeze's birthday!

Tagkai Ruby (Breeze). 2 years old toady. Where does the time go?

Having parked at High Row, we walked over Matterdale Common to Great Dodd. It's pretty featureless on the way up - with the exception of fabulous views of the Northern Fells. But once you are up there - it is awesome. Views across the whole of the national park. Today was a great day to be there. Although it was a bit hazy for photos, it was brilliant to the naked eye.

On a day like this, it is hard to see why anyone wants to be anywhere else.

Still snow on the sheltered slopes

Spot the Dog!

Endless beauty

Some folk never grow up

After Great Dodd, Watson's Dodd and Stybarrow Dodd, we headed down Sticks Pass - the highest named pass in the Lake District

Before taking the path to walk around Glencoyne Head, with its views of Ullswater and on through Dowthwaite head and back to the car.

It's my Birthday!

It was a beautiful day. Just over 10 miles for us, so a guestimated 100+ miles for the birthday girl. I wonder how many other two year old's could manage that?

Hello Molly

Breeze has got a new friend these days, Molly a Whippet pup belonging to James and Jay. She is about 14 weeks old now. When she was 8 weeks old Breeze was scared of her, but after 6 weeks of meeting up every time I go to ride out, Breeze is getting used to her. She's come to stay for a couple of nights

It's not long before the fun starts

Molly is a bit unsure when Breeze really gets going. She's a bit bigger than her.

"Maybe I can sneak through here..... too late she's seen me"

"I Love You Breezey"

Running around the allotment, Molly gets a little more brave

After all that exercise, a bit of a rest is in order

Followed by a cigar - one each , bet you can't guess who finished first!

One tired puppy.

   

Who is soon fast asleep

                         

Hayeswater

The forecast was not good for today, but this is the only day we'll manage a walk this week. Anyway, we've all got waterproofs and sometimes you just have to get out! No point going very high as the cloud is down, so a short, lower level walk is planned.

We parked at Hartsop car park and headed up Hayeswater Gill towards the Filter House

After the Filter House, we cross the foot bridge

and walk up the other side of the gill

Before crossing another bridge, just below the dam. This dam is due to be demolished in the summer to allow the Tarn to rewild. It has not been used as a reservoir since 2005.

From here, we follow the shoreline to the far end - it looked a bit eerie looking back. We could have been the only people on the planet.

We keep walking up Hayeswater Gill at the far end of the tarn, until we find a spot at which we can cross. Took a while today, quite a bit of water about!!

Then a spot to have our lunch. 

Before walking along the other shore back to the dam

and then back down the gill, staying on the left all the way back down to reach the car by a slightly different route.

It rained most of the 6.5 miles, but is was completely still and mild. I can't think of a better way to spend a rainy Monday.