Lonscale Fell

We're in for a treat today! Clear blue skies and sunshine. Lots to get done as we're off Down South in the morning so something shortish and localish. We head up to the Cheats Car park on Latrigg and then walk in the opposite direction to everyone else!

As we set off the Western Fells are looking splendid in their winter coat. We had planned to head up Lonscale but the hordes were already heading to Skiddaw and as the path is the same initially, we had changed our minds and dropped down onto the balcony path.

Zooming in on Grisedale Pike, we are looking back here and the path we had dropped onto is visible across the green bank

Looking back again. At this point we were thinking of just sticking to the Balcony path and avoiding everyone else, but it seemed such a shame not to get a bit higher on such a fab day. 

So we headed up the fence line above Lonscale Crags

Above the snow line. Thirlmere catches the sun in the background

St John  in The Vale

Perfect conditions

A family portrait as we near the top

Lonscale crags summit, with a section of ice someone has removed from the fence and carried to the cairn

Heading over the fence to the proper top

Snowy Skiddaw

The drifts were pretty deep in places

We head down back towards the car on fresh, untrodden snow

As deep as the fence in places - making it easy for Breeze to cross - she is not quite so likely to sink up to her thighs as we are!

Proper family shot this time!

Until re joined the mains Skiddaw track we had hardly seen a soul. That quickly changed as we passed hoards of folk heading up there. Each to their own, but I know which route I'd rather be doing!

Just over 4.6 miles and back to the car for lunch!

Winter Wildlife visitor

For the first time this winter (to our knowledge) we have had a visiting Brambling at the feeders this morning. I hope he continues to visit, they are lovely little birds.

Proving a point on Bowscale, Bannerdale and Souther Fell

Sudden change of plan today. We were due to take the car for some minor bodywork (that's another story!) but the body parts folk rand to say the courtesy car hadn't been returned. So that's buggered this weeks plans up! Other jobs needed doing today, not least plucking and cleaning the goose I am planning to cook tomorrow night, but this morning looked too good to miss, especially with a crap forecast for the rest of the week, so we set off with just the intention of doing a short walk.

The Boys came to greet me as I fed the birds this morning

We set off from Mungrisedale with only half a plan of where we were going

This area is still showing many scars from Storm Desmond last December

The bridge has managed to stay precariously wedged so far

We are heading up the side of The Tongue

Family Portrait

When we reach the top we decide not to bother with the summit of Bowscale Fell - after all as I keep on saying, it is only the highest point and in that particular case not a particularly inspiring point either

We made our way around the top of Bannerdale Crags, once again without visiting the actual summit. That's Great Calva and Skiddaw on the left

Heading down the Glenderamacking we stop at the sheepfold for a bite to eat. 

Once we reached Mousethwaite bridge ( or more accurately plank as the bridge is still missing following Desmond) we decide to head up and over Souther Fell

Heading down from Souther (you guessed it, we didn't visit the summit) towards Mungrisedale

Nearly back to the village

 We have walked about 7 miles without visiting a single summit and without seeing a single person either. To us, that is the epitome of a good day on the fells!

Just to round the walk off nicely, we spotted this little chap on the verge as we drove into our own little village.

Sunrise

We all know the Sun rises in the East, so how about this for the view due South first thing this morning. I think it's going to be a nice morning for riding out!

Great Mell Fell

Such a beautiful morning, we hadn't planned a walk today but it was too good to miss. Just staying local and not wanting to take too long we just nipped up Great Mell Fell.

We've had a frost or two, a dumping of snow but not much rain or wind so the leaves are still clinging to the trees

Blencathra behind the summit

Breeze and her Dad

Breeze and her Mum (it's windy up here!)

On our way down now

Snow on the fells. It's been there since about 5th November and we had a good 3 or 4 inches at home on Wednesday which has only just gone.

Walking back down to Brownrigg Farm

 We've probably walked just over two miles and other than one guy leaving the summit as we approached, we've seen no-one since just after we left the car. Not bad for such an easy fell on a day like this!! Better get back home and do the things we had planned to do today - after we've had lunch accompanied by a sun halo!

An unscheduled walk over Mellbreak

We'd planned to head south today but the forecast this morning said sunshine in the west and cloud elsewhere, so we changed our minds at 8 o'clock and picked on Mellbreak as our destination. Memories of many happy holidays come flooding back whenever we head over to Loweswater

We parked near The Kirkstile nad headed up through the firebreak. Breeze gets a quick game with Millie the Collie before we head up towards the front of Mellbreak

As we gain height Loweswater comes into view behind us

It's getting steeper

and steeper

Guess who got onto the top first!

Snow on Grasmoor

Heading across the top from the North Summit to the South summit

Buttermere appears as we get to the Southern end of Mellbreak. There's a sneaky cool breeze up here - as well as a sneaky spaniel Breeze

We start to descend - you can see Jeff, Jay and Breeze ahead. That's Crummock water and Buttermere in the valley below

When the sun comes out it is lovely. We decide that rather than going down towards Scale Force, we will drop off the side and go off piste towards Low Ling Crag

We are heading for High Ling Crag, the bit sticking out just infront of Breeze

It's a steep climb down through the bracken

Crummock

Down at the proper path now and looking down over Low Ling Crag. Fleetwith Pike is the prominent Fell left of centre

Rannerdale Farm is briefly illumiated, showing the lovely autumn colours

Happy Dog as we walk along the length of the lake back towards Loweswater (village)

When we decided to head over here this morning, we gave our friend Joan a quick call to see if she fancied joining us. Unfortunately she had other things she had to do today but invited us to call in for a cuppa after our walk. She lives in the best spot in the country - and doesn't it just look superb in the autumn sunshine. Definitely the best holiday cottages in the world too.

Nearly back at the car

Breeze wants to know what I'm taking a picture of

This really is an amazing autumn and a bit of sun makes such a difference

Back at the car now . That's Mellbreak and that's the way we went up

Autumn in Loweswater

We head up to see Joan where we are treated to her lovely home baking to accompany our tea. I don't know how many times I have photographed this view, but I defy anyone who has visited Joan or stayed at her cottages to ever manage a visit without wanting to take a picture

Rannerdale in the foreground with Snow on Great Gable - Haystacks is the dark bit in front of Great Gable, Green Gable is to the left of Great Gable (slightly in cloud)

Grasmoor and Whiteside from Joan's garden

A lovely short walk on another amazing autumn day. We walked about 5.6 miles and although it wasn't quite the day the forecasters had promised, it was still pretty damn good and probably a lot better than where we had originally planned to walk. Anyway we couldn't have had a better cuppa and cake anywhere else, especially with the Best View In The World thrown in too - Thank you Joan.