Molly's First Outing

Molly is growing fast, but at only about 7 months old, she is still too young to do any real fell walking. So for a change Jay brought her over to have a walk up Mosedale

 

Not sure about this wet stuff.

Come on Molly - it's great fun in here

I'm the King of  The Castle

Molly looked a bit worried, but she seemed to enjoy herself

And so did Breeze

Stand Still Molly, I'll jump over you

Little Sca Fell and Brae Fell

The plan today was a decent walk in the Uldale Fells. Being anti-social we were keen to avoid other people and it's the time of year that brings a lot of them out on the fells. So Back o' Skiddaw is a good place to go if you don't want to see anyone. So, we parked at Longlands.........

 

 

When I said I didn't want to see anyone, low cloud wasn't quite what I had in mind. Never mind the forecast says it won't last long.



Breeze couldn't care less what the weather is doing

After a while, we decided that it was pointless doing our original route. The weather was not improving and visibility was nearly zero. So when we got to Little Sca Fell, we turned left and headed to Brae Fell (seen here!) and then made our way off the side to join the track we had started on. Navigating by map and compass/GPS as you couldn't see where you were going.

Never mind we desperately need rain and it wasn't cold. Not the most scenic 6.5 miles, but we'd sooner be here in the rain than anywhere else in the sunshine! And of course, no rain fell at home!

Penrith Show

Having been down to visit Mum and Dad for a few (very hot) days, we 'flew' back on Friday as I had been asked to Groom for a friends son at Penrith show. Flying back was a bit of an understatement. We crawled up the M1, then the M18, then the A1, and when we came to another standstill on the A66, diverted via Barnard Castle as we were sick of being in stationary traffic with every Tom, Dick and Harry who had decided that it was officially the first day of the school holidays!!

Anyway, the crap journey was worth it


After pre judging in the driving field, we then drove through Lowther park on the 'Leisure Drive' part of the competition. Then it was into the main ring for the final judging. It was about 30' and I was sweltering in shirt and tie and long trousers. Sam must have been so uncomfortable.

Larky behaved so well, and Sam did a great job keeping up the family tradition.

The lap of honour for 'Team Fawcett' as we leave the ring...................

..................to go and Celebrate.
Sam won his class and won the Overall Driving Championship. At 14 he was the youngest in the driving classes by about two generations. Well done Sam

Hart Crag and Dove Crag

 

The hot dry weather continues this week. We seem to be the driest part of the country with no rain to speak of for weeks. It seems to be localised too as many friends in the county have had the odd downpour. All we have had is the odd light shower.

Today we drove down to Hartsop and parked at Cow Bridge

 

From the car the path leads straight into the woods and straight up hill (spot the dog!)

It's steep up here, in the trees it's lovely and cool, in the sun it's HOT (spot the dog again!)

Out of the trees at the top of Low Wood, we look back to Hartsop. We've gained a decent bit of height already

Then it's a steady climb up Bleaberry knott, Hoggill Brow and Hartsop Above How until we reach Hart Crag.

After a spot of lunch on Hart Crag we head across to Dove Crag. Windernmere and Coniston (far right) come into view as we drop down from the summit of Hart Crag. From there we head across High Bakestones to Scandale Tarn, then over Little Hart Crag on our way down High Hartsop Dodd



The views were amazing again today, a bit hazy in the distance, but wonderful all the same.

Little Hart Crag comes into view in the foreground

It's all downhill from here. Place Fell (left ) and Angletarn Pikes (the angular bits in the middle) dominate the skyline

Brothers Water comes into view. We will walk along the left hand side of this on our way back to the car which is parked at the far end

Angletarn Pikes above Brothers water

Looking back at High Hartsop Dodd as we finish our descent

Dovedale Beck provides some welcome refreshment

Just over 8.5 miles. Too many people for our liking, but a walk worth repeating at a quieter time of year.

Too Hot on Hallin Fell

Having had a long walk on Tuesday, we fancied doing something a bit shorter today. Also Jay has been complaining (in jest I think!) that we only do shorter walks when she isn't with us. We parked at Martindale New Church with a plan to do Hallin Fell and then go on and do Sleet Fell, High Dodd and possibly Place Fell. As I keep pointing out, plans are made to be changed.

 

From the car it is straight up onto the grassy slopes of Hallin Fell. A little fell with big views. Looking back, if you look under the trees just left of centre, you will see the car. The view down Martindale is spectacular, even at this low level and Breeze is showing no signs of having run about 120 miles two days ago.

It was another beautiful day. Climbing up here was pretty warm to say the least but the views were as clear as you could possibly imagine

Before long we had made it to the top of the first fell of the day. A kind lady took this group picture with the top of  Ullswater in the background to the right



You begin to get an idea of the size of Ullswater when you look over the top to the left.



From the summit we head pretty much straight down to the water's edge. There we turn left and head under Geordie's Crag following the lakeside path

Breeze beats us down to the water

The temperature seemed to keep climbing today and somewhere around here, we decided that it was very nice walking along the shore of the lake, and that we would leave the rest of the climb for another day. We followed the path as far as Scalehow Force where we knew there was a nice spot for lunch. Last visited with Simon and Sally last year

After lunch we retraced our steps along the lake path, but this time instead of going over Hallin Fell, we followed the path around the far side

Heading back to Sandwick, Hallin Fell sits gently in front of you

One of many memorial benches along this path provides a lovely spot for a rest. As we are just having an amble of a walk today we couldn't resist the temptation. It's big enough for three so we have a really pleasant 10 minutes just sitting enjoying the view. Why on earth would anyone want to be anywhere else in the world? 

A very gentle, but warm 6.5 miles, followed by a local Double Jersey Icecream. Who needs holidays?

Matterdale Horseshoe

 

Last month you may remember we went over to Loweswater to meet Joan and Roger and Ann for a walk and supper. We had a lovely time but felt that we had missed out on catching up with Joan properly as she was busy entertaining us all. So we decided to have a rerun. Just us and Joan and a pub meal afterwards. Threlkeld is about half way, so we booked a table at the Horse and Farrier and planned to walk up Clough Head, Calfhow Pike and Great Dodd - well that was the plan, but plans are there to be changed aren't they?  

 

 

We parked at High Row and headed along the Old Coach Road, over Mariel Bridge

and then headed up past White Pike

Blencathra - Sold subject to contract allegedly, to an unnamed buyer 



As we approach the summit of Clough Head, the view across Keswick and Derwentwater opens up

Wattie makes his way to the summit of Clough Head

Then it's on to Calfhow Pike where we stop for a late lunch. Breeze enjoys the breeze

While Wattie soaks in the view over Thirlmere. It was about now that we decided we were ahead of time and perhaps it would be a good idea to extend the walk a bit.



So off we went. We followed our noses a bit and headed up Great Dodd, across Watsons Dodd, onto Stybarrow Dodd, White Stones, Hart Side, Hart Crag



And finally to Birkett Fell. The lake in view this time is Ullswater. From here we made our way down hill until we hit the wall!

Over the wall and down the (usually very wet) path to Dowthwaite Head

 

Up the road past the Badger Faced Sheep, back to the car.

Exactly 12 miles, making it up as we went along. A really good catch up followed by a good meal accompanied by two tired dogs. This weather is becoming a bit of a habit!

Harter Fell, Branstree and Selside

Just the three of us today. Jay was coming with us, but a leaky cylinder meant she had to stay behind. Unfortunately she missed another cracking walk. Oh dear, we'll have to do it again sometime now!!

 

 

We parked at Mardale head and headed up towards Nan Bield Pass

On the way passing the lovely Small Water

Chance for a spot of goofing around in the water

Looking back from Nan Bield Pass to Small water and Haweswater beyond. You can see that Hawewater is getting very low with the dry spell we have been enjoying for these past few weeks

Two Rough Fell ewes standing on Small Water Crags get a glance from Breeze as she rushes past. No time to stop and say hello.



The shelter on Nan Bield Pass. The short stop gives Breeze chance to get rid of the water she accumulated in her ears earlier - all over her Dad!



More glorious walking weather, with Hazy distant views. Scafell and Scafell Pike right at the back (the v in between). From here we climbed up onto Harter Fell, then carried on across Little Harter Fell, Adam Seat and dropped down to cross Gatesgarth pass before the long green slope that leads to Branstree

Branstree Summit. From here we walked across Artle crag

and on to the Observation Pillar. This was used to line up the aquaduct from Haweswater to Manchester.

Beyond the pillar there are two lovely little tarns - well there would be except the one on the left has dried up. Never mind, the remaining one provides another opportunity for a spot of wild swimming. The reflections show how still it was, even at over 2100ft.

From the Tarns a short walk took us to the top of High Howes, then across Captain Welter Bog and up onto Selside. The tumbledown shelter providing the chance of a rare selfie

Then down the steep path to the Hollow Stone (bottom centre of picture)

 to join the road at Rowantreethwaite Beck

Across the road and down to this lovely little bridge crossing back over Rowantreethwaite Beck

You'd think she'd have slowed down by now wouldn't you!

Then we followed the shore path some of the way and walked on the lake bottom at other times. The water level is so low you don't need a path to get round the lake at the moment. One more chance to have a swim - the energy Breeze has never fails to amaze. Given a bit of encouragement I think she would have soon made it to the island.

"Come on Dad, It's lovely in here"

About 8.5 miles, loads of swimming (not by the humans though!) perfect weather AGAIN.