A Hayeswater Circuit

The walk that didn't happen! This is what we planned to do on Tuesday, but decided against as it was far too hot. We parked up at Hartsop and made our way up the lovely valley of Pasture Bottom. I can never say that without a little smile, a fantastic name for a fantastic place

We are aiming for the skyline at the far end of the valley - or at least what would be the skyline if that cloud was a bit higher

Pasture Beck gives it's name to the valley. That cloud keeps looking like it might be lifting!

At the top of Pasture Bottom we start the climb up Threshthwaite Cove. Looking back you can just see the bottom of Ullswater and the promise of some sunshine. It's an ideal walking temperature just now. Shorts (for me) and T shirt weather but not too hot.

Stairway to Heaven

Gradually it gets a bit steeper

The all of a sudden you reach Threshthwaite Mouth and look across to see Windermere further south.

We climb up the steep bit towards Thornthwaite Crag. The cloud is still down on the tops at the moment.

Looking back down Pasture Bottom as we head into the cloud

The Beacon on Thornthwaite Crag. No views at the moment, and although we have stopped to put a layer on, it is far from cold even in this cloud.

Heading across to High Street, the cloud is blowing around, giving us glimpses of the views. That's Hayeswater which we will walk down to later

Atmospheric Herdies

Gradually the cloud starts to move away as we walk along High Street, we are going to carry on along the ridge you can see slightly left of Husband and Jay, over Knott and then drop down to Hayeswater.

Time for lunch. Breeze is glad of her jumper, she does seem to get cold when we stop. Shortly before we stopped here we realised she had damaged her paw (again), wearing a hole in her metacarpal pad. You can just see the red straps on her boot.

Lunch over and the cloud has all moved away now

Looking down across Martindale

And back at High Street where we have just walked

Ahead you can see the track that leads from Hartsop to Hayeswater. That's where we are heading - or at least that's what we thought!

Hayeswater

The Hydro Electric plant at Hayeswater is still being constructed and the track which we normally use is currently closed - you can see a couple of 360's working part way down it. So a diversion has been set up - follow the orange posts!

It makes a nice change to come down on this side of Hayeswater Gill

The construction of the Hydro Electric plant with Pasture Bottom (I'm still smiling!) behind.

Then it's a gentle stroll back to the carpark!

A very different day's weather to Tuesday. It's a shame when you find yourself in cloud with the view disappearing, but on a day like today, when it blows in and out it actually adds to the atmosphere in a funny way.

8 miles more or less and although we saw a few folk once we got to High Street (no-one in Pasture Bottom as usual) there were surprisingly few people about. It's the last day of term and we very nearly didn't come here today as we thought the crowds would be about. Not sure where they all were?

An Evening Change of Plan

Today we had planned a walk the other side of Patterdale, but the forecast was for temperatures approaching 30 degrees and whilst that would be very unpleasant for us, it would probably be catastrophic for a young Spaniel who doesn't understand the concept of slowing down. Instead we decided to head up Sheffield Pike after supper, when the temperature had dropped a bit.

At about 8:15pm it was still 29 degrees. Still way to hot to contemplate a fell walk' so we made up plan C. We headed over to one of our most regular haunts and had a wander up the Cumbria Way from Mosedale. By the time we parked up it was somewhere around 25 degrees, and with the river Glemderamackin always at our side, there was no danger of Breeze overheating.

Balmy Breeze - Heading up the Cumbria Way. Skiddaw is just peeping up on the distant skyline. It's shortly after 9pm.

Looking South East, Mungrisdale Common on the right, Bowscale Fell on the left

It's a lovely temperature, a glorious way to spend an hour in the evening

Skiddaw is more visible as we head further up the track

Blencathra pops up on the skyline to our right as we retrace our steps.

Heading back now. Breeze has a paddle in the ford before we make our way back to the car.

Back at the car a few minutes after 10pm and the temperature has hardly altered. It wasn't what we had planned for the day, or even the evening, but it's still better than many folk are able to do on the spur of the moment.

An Evening Saunter around Hallin

We had thought about doing a walk this evening if it was a nice day - and then Husband woke up with a really bad back. Thankfully our Chiro managed to fit him in this morning, so we didn't have to abandon the plan completely - but we did have to curtail our ambitions!!

Martindale as we set off round the Hause, it's approaching 7pm

Beda Fell with Martindale to the left and Boredale to the right. The Bracken took some getting through along here - can you spot Husband? There are very few pictures of Breeze - we saw even less of her than usual today. this first part was so thick with the wretched stuff.

As we gain a bit of height, Ullswater comes into view

Boredale

A rare sighting of a spaniel - and Ullswater

Evening light on Ullswater - magical!

Dad's a bit slower than usual so I make Breeze sit while we wait for him to catch up. She really doesn't see the point. In her mind it is just as logical to keep charging around like a lunatic and checking in every now and then to see if we are still here!

One of the local youths on a night out

Ullswater from Hallinhag Wood

Breeze heads for a swim as we come out of the wood

Over Geordie Crag

Finally arriving back at Martindale New Church at about 8:30pm, where the locals appear to be congregating for the evening service!

A lovely gentle 3 miles and we saw just two other people. I would imagine you would need to pick atrocious weather to walk this route during the day and see that few folk

New Neighbours

Houdini the Bull has been causing havoc locally. No respect for fences apparently, he just tramples over them and breaks into neighbouring fields Mick says. 

So Mick's gone off on his annual visit to Yorkshire show with the best of this years crop of Mule Gimmers and a couple of Leicester Shearlings. In the interest of neighbourly relations, Mick thought he'd better move the cattle before he went so they didn't break into Phillip's field again.

These are the sort of new neighbours we like.

It is always nice to have cattle in the back for a change and thankfully, so far Houdini doesn't think our fence is worth trampling!

Bannerdale the Hard Way and a Stroll Up Souther Fell

Molly is coming for a sleepover tonight (Breeze's Best mate), so we decided to do a walk close to home so we weren't too late going to pick her up. We popped over to Mungrisdale and set off up the Glenderamackin (seen on Breeze's left). This area was hit by December's floods and there are still badly damaged and missing bridges, so a bit of jumping and fording is needed. Mind you it's always wet here, so wet boots and trousers are inevitable at any time.

Bannerdale Craggs is on the Skyline to the right. That's where we are heading first.

We leave the river and start the gentle climb up the grassy slope

Natures Camouflage

Pausing for breath (only because she's been told to sit!) looking over Bannerdale dale!

We are heading up the ridge ahead, through the old slate mines. Breeze is halfway there already (in truth she's probably been back and forth three times already too!)

Pausing for a selfie in the old Mine workings

It's steep up here, but some don't seem to care

Steep, but a really lovely climb. It is a fabulous ridge which thankfully not many seem to use.

On the top of Bannerdale Crags, looking at Blencathra. We are going straight ahead to drop down onto Mungrisdale common briefly, before heading back down the Glenderamackin towards Souther Fell, our next goal.

Looking back you can see the extent of the fire which demolished acres of heather and wildlife too, six weeks ago.

Sharp edge, with a queue of tourists as usual

Heading along the Glenderamackin on the unfrequented slopes of Blencathra

Lunchtime

Not a bad view for lunch, even if Husband has got his back to me!

As we reach the col above Mousthwaite comb we head up onto Souther. The view behind of the western fells is pretty impressive

Looking back at Blencathra and the valley we have just walked through

From the top of Souther, looking across to the ridge we walked up onto Bannerdale. The slate mines stand out among the green fellside

Heading off Souther Fell amongst Sheep and Foxgloves. A really fab walk, there's not much to add that could improve it. Well there is just one thing..................

We had a really lovely walk in ideal conditions and once again saw very few people (although lots in the distance). 7.5 miles approx and still in good time to head over and pick Molly up. Not too sure Breeze will be very playful tonight mind!