High Doat and Autumn at it's Best

We wanted to get into Borrowdale this week while the autumn colours were at their best, but the only days with a decent forecast, we were busy doing other things. Suddenly this afternoons forecast took a turn for the better, so inspired by a walk Maggie did a few days ago, we decided to head over to Seatoller and have a potter round High Doat. Normally we would steer clear of this area in half term, but Mother Nature waits for no one and thankfully Seatoller was much quieter than other places further up the valley as we had expected.

We're off

Looking into Borrowdale

The colours are looking pretty impressive but initially all my pictures were into the sun which didn't do them justice

Until we had reached the top of High Doat and started to meander over the far side, with the sun shining behind us and Castle Crag ahead, Autumn started to show itself in all it's glory

Photo bombing

While we have a coffee stop, Breezy gets a Bonio break. She has to mind her manners though and wait till her Dad tells her she can eat it!

Rosthwaite

We wondered how old this Oak Tree is as we enter Johnny Wood

Hide and Seek

 We had only walked just over 3 miles. A really leisurely little walk (though Breeze put a bit more effort in!). Back at the car and it was still only mid afternoon, so we decided to take a different route home. We headed over Honister, parking up to finish our coffee at the bottom we watched this dipper in and out of the water

Then we drove through Buttermere and headed home over Newlands pass. We really do live in a beautiful place.

Saying Goodbye to Anne

The last couple of days we have said goodbye to our friend Anne.  First at Carlisle yesterday and then today about 30 of us braved wind and rain to scatter Anne's ashes on Askham Fell, where she walked so often, sharing a tot of her favourite tipple at the cairn. I don't suppose we will ever visit this fell again without Anne in our minds, perhaps a hip flask of Laphroaig will accompany us next time.

Carlisle

We had a cracking afternoon racing today. James had four runners and one of those was my favourite, the lad who has pride of place above our wood burner. Here he is, showing just what a handsome chap he is after finishing 2nd. Love this horse!

Garden Visitors

I think this little chap wanted to share our lunch today!

Click on the video below to watch his antics...........

Bonscale Pike, Arthur's Pike, Loadpot Hill and Fusedale

Molly is joining us today so we've picked a route that will suit her and one that should be nice and quiet too. We left the car at cattle grid behind Howtown

Over the clapper bridge to Mellguards

Where we follow the intake wall as it starts to rise

The Steamer leaves for Pooley Bridge as we gain height

We turn across the fell side heading across Swarth Fell, leaving Fusedale behind for now, but we will be coming back down through this lovely valley later

Ullswater

Hallin Fell seen beyond the pillars on Bonscale Fell, the lower of the two being Bonscale Tower. From Bonscale Fell we headed to Arthur's Pike (where we can see our house in the distance!) and then made the long grassy trudge across to Loadpot Hill. Not a very photogenic trudge, so no pics! 

Just below the summit of Loadpot Hill we found an lovely little spot for lunch.

Lunchtime cuddles

The we made our way down along the side of Groove Gill

Towards Fusedale

A ruined barn by the path with an intriguing seat.Not sure who it is intended for ?

Fusedale Beck

Howtown comes into view

Nearly back at the car 'wait for me Dad!'

7.25 miles and other than two couples on the summit of Loadpot, we didn't see anyone! We did see a Heron, two Dippers and a Stonechat,all in Fusedale.

Birkett Fell with Maggie

Today Breeze and I are meeting Maggie for a walk while Husband gets some jobs done at home.

Sadly it's not as bright as it has been of late,but as we set out from the middle Aira Force car park the clouds look to be lifting a bit

We head up to the top of the falls before the crowds arrive

Across the road we then follow the wall enjoying the views of Ullswater

Common Fell with Dowthwaite head in the valley beyond

Onto Swineside Knott. I don't think you can see Ullswater in it's entirety anywhere better than up here 

Climbing towards Birkett Fell looking across Glencoyne Head with the Helvellyn ridge behind

Breeze with Aunty Maggie on a breezy Birkett Fell. After a few minutes of discussion we decide to head down to a path which Maggie has been planning to revisit for a while,it's a new one to Breeze and I.

Heading through woodland in Glencoyne park, the autumn colours are beautiful

A really lovely path

Through the last few trees where this suckler herd were enjoying the peace and quiet, then it's just across the road and back to the car.

7.25 miles and a good lot of it was new territory for Breeze and I. A really enjoyable walk, just a shame the sunny weather hadn't held out for us.