Askham Fell, Helton Fell and High Street

Once again we planned to head west today, but when we got down to the A66 it looked grim over that way. A snap decision saw us heading for the sunniest spot we could see which was Askham Fell. We parked at Roehead and then just followed our noses. Shame we didn't have our binocs today, we'd have been able to see our house for a lot of the walk!

Ullswater as we head up Moor Divock

Heltondale

Snow topped Cross Fell, the highest of the Pennines seen over to the east as we climb up Helton Fell

Blencathra seen from High Street

Looking back across Ullswater as we head back to the car

Once again, not the walk we had planned, but we managed about 7.5 miles in lovely weather, without seeing too many other folk. Not bad for plan B

Urbanites

We are back from 10 days in Lincolnshire catching up with old pals and house/horses/dog and cat sitting for Simon and Sal. So we are itching for a fell fix.  We thought we would head over to Braithwaite and do the walk that we didn't finish the other day,but as we headed up the A66 the cloud looked pretty grim in the west, so a quick decision saw us heading to Low and High Rigg again. Jay is with us and she hasn't done them before and we are more than happy to do them again

Tewet Tarn

The distinctive skyline of Causey Pike, that's roughly where we are heading before our change of plan

Breeze spots a seat

And without any prompting

She claims it for herself

We are heading round the western side of High Rigg to climb up the southern side in a reversal of our last visit up here

There is still snow on the higher fells

As we reach the summit of High Rigg, we find a nice sheltered spot with a view over Thirlmere just below the summit. Little did we know that our walk was about to be spoilt

By this family who chose to come and sit right next us.The kids then climbed over the rocks immediately behind and above Breeze and I. Very much in danger of kicking rocks down onto us. The parents did nothing. They were too busy lighting their camping stove to warm up their hot dogs, while their dog barked at Breeze. I am all for parents bringing their kids into the countryside and taking them walking. Indeed that's how I started my fell walking, in a papoose until I could walk myself. But PLEASE. If your need for fellow humans is such that you feel the need to sit that close when there is the whole fell to chose, then stop in the city. OK, Rant over. 

Lunch abandoned, we follow the Yellow Brick Road back down towards St John in The Vale

Past the memorial Stone,and then for a change we walked round Low Rigg instead of going back over it to get to the car.

5.6 miles, a bit less than planned but we stayed dry and it is always a lovely place to walk.Just a shame it was spoilt by such ignorant *****.

A Winter Wander

We needed to be at Thornthwaite today, so we thought we might as well take advantage of the fact that there is significantly less snow further west and have a walk

We parked in Braithwaite village and wound our way up to the miners track heading towards Force Crag Mines

It's never to cold for a dip (if you're a spaniel)

Although it looked cold, it was surprisingly pleasant in the lee of the fells

Normally we turn off the track and ford Coledale Beck before we get to the mine and this had been the plan today. Our return route was to be over Barrow, but for a couple of reasons we had a change of plan and decided to explore the mines and then retrace our steps

Breeze took the opportunity to explore too, she continued to leg it all over the surrounding slopes as we poked around and had a coffee stop

Blencathra behind Lonscale Fell as we start to retrace our steps

Skiddaw

You can take the  Dog off the Fell, but you can't take the Fell off the Dog. 

A very gentle 5.5 miles and we were back to the car in time for our lunch. A private viewing at Thornthwaite Galleries followed, with the successful acquisition of a fiftieth Birthday present for a friend. A pretty successful trip!