High Spy and Nitting Haws on a Beautiful Autumn Day

We never fail to appreciate the area in which we live. Even on days when it is raining solidly and has done for as long as we can remember, we are feel very lucky to be here. On a day like today it is not possible to describe just how lucky we feel.

Autumn is in full swing and it is turning into the best autumn I can remember. So much colour and we have had very little wind and virtually no rain or frost, so the leaves are yet to fall in earnest. Very few places show autumn as well as Borrowdale and I've had this walk in mind for a while. so lets go.....

We parked in Rosthwaite - a place with which I have a very long history - and headed down the lonning towards the Derwent

I must warn you there will be a lot of photos today. 

When we reach the river, we cross via the stepping stones

Then through the gate into the field

Across the bridge (Spot the dog)

And head for the fells

We start to climb as we head up Tongue Gill

Castle Crag

Looking back as we gain height. That's Borrowdale below and you can just make out the odd white building in Rosthwaite

We reach Rigghead Quarry. An old slate quarry which must have been a hive of activity in it's day. Many addits and ruined structures still remain (Spot the dog!)

Inside the adit in the previous picture, it went on and on - I chickened out of going any further!

Borrowdale from Rigghead

Zooming in on Rosthwaite as we reach Wilson's Bield above the quarries

We take a bit of a right hand turn to head up onto High Spy as the western Fells come into view. Did I mention what an awesome day it was?

RANT OF THE DAY - you have been warned!!
Summit photos aren't really my thing, but many people want a photo of a summit when they get there, presumably as a record of their achievements and why shouldn't they? If we arrive at a summit and there are other folk around, we are always careful not to get in the way. 
Some people don't seem to give a hoot about other people's enjoyment. Prize for the most ignorant person encountered on our (quite busy) walk yesterday goes to the person in this photo. There were lots of people on the summit of High Spy, most trying to take that summit shot. Whoever you are there was a good reason no-one spoke to you yet all seemed to be cheerily acknowledging each other. IT'S BECAUSE YOU'RE IGNORANT

And if that ignorant git had looked up from their book, this is what he/she would have seen. 

So leaving the ignorant git and quite a few disappointed fell baggers behind we head over the top towards Maiden Moor. We're not going over there today though, we have chosen a quieter route (we hope) down

Once we get of the main path we find an appropriate spot for lunch. One that will shelter us from the sneaky breeze which has just appeared (wind not dog), provide us with a moderately comfortable spot to perch AND isn't going to ruin the highlight of someone else's day. This spot looks just perfect.

The views are amazing today. Behind Breeze, slightly to her right on the skyline are the Langdales

Zooming in on the Langdales

Lunch over and time to carry on. It's all downhill from here!

Derwentwater

Bog Dog

Blencathra beyond Derwentwater

That little lump right of centre is Castle Crag (for my family's benefit!) We have pretty much finished the descent now and it's a gentl ramble back along the Derwent

Autumn Herdies

Repairs are still ongoing following last December's floods. It will be years before all the damaged and washed away bridges are sorted. There are still areas where no work has started and so far no funding has been forthcoming.

Back through ewe Tree Farm

and into Rosthwaite.

What an amazing day on the fells we have just had.

Once back in the car, we just took a slight detour to the other end of Rosthwaite. there is a house that I wanted to get a few pictures of for Dad.

We had walked somewhere close to 8 miles. Clear blue skies, not a breath of wind apart from on the top and the most spectacular show of autumn you could wish for. The drive home was just as amazing as the low autumn sun cast it's mellow light across the fells. days like this will stay in the memory for a very long time.