Crookdale Horseshoe

It's half term and as usual we want to avoid the crowds, so we head down to the Eastern edge of the National park to walk in one of the less frequented areas. The Shap Fells.

We parked at Shap summit on the A6, and headed downhill to Hause Foot, seen here in the valley. From there we would cross Crookdale Bridge and head up Hazel Bank (seen behind the buildings) and up onto High House Bank. The prominent fell in this picture

Crookdale Bridge

Borrowdale - the Shap one - seen from High House Bank

Looking into the End of Borrowdale. From High House Bank we walked over Robin Hood

Before stopping for a bite to eat just below Lord's Seat -the Shap one!- and a familiar lunchtime photo opportunity

To say it's remote out here just doesn't do it justice. From Lord's Seat we crossed Bleaberry Gill and made our way up Lawyer's Brow onto Great Yarlside and Little Yarlside and Whatshaw Common

Looking into Crookdale

Easy Navigation from Great Yarlside. Follow the wall back to the car. Useful on a cloudy day perhaps but not necessary today.

Evidence of Grouse

 The forecast was wrong and it turned into a beautiful afternoon. Just over 8 miles and not another human in sight. How's that for holiday crowds!

Randerside, Great Dodd, Calfhow Pike and Clough Head

A late start today as we were over in Newcastle for a concert last night (Mark Knopfler), so a bit of a slow start today, but we had a nice welcoming comittee as we parked at High Row

We started at the far side of the wood seen on the left and walked along the Old Coach Road seen here, then after crossing the wonderfully named Groove Beck (if you look closely you can see the bridge), we headed up Matterdale Common

Wet and full of scent. Real Spaniel country

It was mighty windy and really hard work walking over Randerside and onto Great Dodd. This was taken just below the summit of Great Dodd, the funny lump in the middle is Calfhow Pike, where we will head for lunch, hopefully with a bit of shelter from the wind

We find a lovely sheltered spot just below Calfhow Pike summit

Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite from our lunch spot

It's always boggy around here

Does my bum look big in this?

Looking back as we climb up Clough Head. Calfhow Pike is the little blimp on the right, Great Dodd the big lump on the left

Clough Head summit trig point

Breeze and Blencathra

From the summit we walked down White Pike to meet the coach road at Wolf crag moss which we followed back to High Row. You can see the Coach road passing below Wolf Crags seen on the right in this picture. Our car is parked between the two woods at the left hand edge of the ridge here.

Just short of 9 miles, it was pretty windy until we dropped down off Clough head to lower ground. Then the sun came out as we started along the Coach road and it became really pleasant.

Zak

Breeze's boyfriend Buddy has got a new brother and we went to meet him

Zak

but Breeze prefers Buddy

Kisses from Aunty Dawn

Not sure where Breeze's head is, but it's sending Buddy into a spin

Butter wouldn't melt

Round Hallin Fell

It's over 50 years since Mum and Dad first visited Howtown, so there was more than a bit of nostalgia about as we parked at Martindale New Church to have a walk around Hallin Fell

The View down Martindale which is behind us as we walk along Hallin Bank

Pausing for Breath

Sandwick Bay from Hallinhag Wood

As we come out of Hallinghag Wood, the beach provides the perfect lunch spot

With entertainment thrown in

Off we go again

One of the locals above Waternook

3 miles and a few memories later, it was back to the car at the New Church

Lowther Castle Gardens

Mum and Dad are up for a few days and for once, the weather is behaving. Normally when they are here it siles it down, but not this week! So today a very pleasant few hours was spent wandering around Lowther Gardens. Complete ruins only about 5 years ago, the gardens are gradually being restored, but in quite a low key, natural sort of way. None of your urban influence here thankfully!

North West Driving Club - Dalemain

I've been grooming for Sam again. This time at the North West Driving Club One Day Event at Dalemain

Sam came 3rd, which is a pretty good effort as it was his first ODE.