Dash Falls

Pinch me I think I'm dreaming. The forecast for today was excellent - and accurate, so we headed to Fellside for a walk up Roughton Gill to take in Dash Falls and then follow our noses back to Fellside - all this walking and we're not on holiday.
We've walked here many times, and although there is evidence of trials bike damage, it must happen at the weekends, 'cause we never see a soul up here. Off we go up the familiar route towards the old Mine workings



Roughton Gill is pretty all the way, but as you head to the top, past the old mines, it becomes a series of waterfalls; Dash Falls. We must remember to revisit them when we have had some serious rain.
All the usual Flora and fauna were about today. Stonechat and Wheatear, along with Sand martins and Swallows. Wild Thyme is really coming into it's own at the moment and the heather is just starting to flower. A little less common is this Yellow Saxifrage which can be found on the rocks on the side of the gill
Having scrambled up the right of the gill, and then crossing over to scramble a bit more up the left, we cross back again just below this fall to pick up the path you can see heading towards the skyline on the right of this picture into the forgotten valley of Balliway Rigg. An ideal spot for lunch.
Looking back you can see where we have come up from, with the mines in the grey area just off centre of this picture.
After lunch it's onwards and upwards to Great Sca Fell (no not that one, this is the Other Sca Fell). If you double click, (Sally - we're starting!) you can see the sea, and Criffel in Dumfries and Galloway on the other side of the Solway.
From there it was all down hill, with a leisurely descent back to Fellside.

Making It Up As We Go Along

Not the sound track to our lives (although there's a thought!), but a spur of the moment decision to abandon any plans for this afternoon and go for a walk instead. Just for a change we thought we'd head to the Caldbeck fells and start from somewhere down Swineside.

We just followed our noses basically, exploring the remains of Carrock Fell Mines on the way, one of only two Tungsten mines in the country

Then it was a question of following Grainsgill, on the route of the Cumbria Way looking back down our route)

More Botanical finds as we head up to the sky line - Lousewort



And there ahead of us is our turning point. Lingy Hut. Last visited with Simon and Sally last September




from there it was down hill all the way back to the car in the valley below

Stopping to pick Bilberries on the way - memories of childhood holidays fellwalking come flooding back!

Why we don't Fell Walk very often

Apart from the fact that life has taken over, and the fells will always Be There Tomorrow; there is one very good reason why we don't often get out onto them. From our door we can walk pretty much where we like. On farm land, woodland, common land and roads alike. The opportunities seem endless, and there is nothing like a nature walk!
I've said it before, but the roadside verges here are protected and for good reason. Wildflowers abound, changing as the year progresses. Meadowsweet, vetch and geranium are the most prevalent at the moment



Other species can be found not far away like this Great Burnet
And the Giant Bell Flower

Going 'Off Piste' through the woodland where we can pick our way through the undergrowth and never see another human soul
a chance to encounter other species of flora and fauna, such as this Wintergreen (sorry about the blurred pic, it kept moving!)

Lovely woodland glades with long forgotten becks
and evidence of wildlife all around. This wood pigeon's egg showing that the jays we see and hear above us have been busy robbing nests
more sad than the wood pigeon was this Song Thrush egg which had obviously fallen to the same fate.
Once out of the shade of the woods, we are back into Orchid country. They are everywhere 'round here, including in the woods.
And finally, walking through some long term setaside, we were inundated with Ringlet butterflies, oh and not forgetting the blasted cleggs which were using me as a handy picnic.

Three's A Crowd

Jarvis brought his latest Lady Friend out for supper tonight. He often does, he's good like that.

Particularly when he's trying to woo her

Trouble was, The Wife showed up.

There was an almighty To Do. Jarvis tried to slip away unnoticed while the ladies had a real sort out.

Nearly Deja Vue

A beautiful morning, and a walk seems like a good idea before Simon and Sally head back to Lincolnshire this afternoon. Last autumn we planned to walk over Carrock fell with them. It never quite happened as you will see here.
This time we made it without any errors, and added High Pike onto the end for good measure.


A great walk and a great day. Great company too, only there were four feet missing. Last September Hattie was with us too, but that was pretty much the last full walk she did before she took her up her current postition of Lounging Around In Bed All Day.

Skelton Show

Simon and Sal are up for the weekend, timed nicely to coincide with our local show; Skelton Show is the biggest village show in the country. It's a lovely show and, just like last year, it's a lovely day too.
Mrs B has work to do. stewarding some of the horse classes, so leaving the picnic at home for Husband to bring later, it's off to the showground first thing to do my bit.



Husband and Simon and Sal turned up a little later in the morning, complete with picnic. The rest of these photos are courtesy of Sal, as I didn't have my camera with me!

Deep in discussion about the state of Uk Agriculture whilst inspecting the sheep pens




Shows are very tiring, especially if you are exhibiting, as Blossom had discovered. Not only was she fast asleep, but she was busy snoring too. Bless!

Wildlife in June

Lots of activity in the garden this month with Squirrel visits and birds galore. Most adorable bird award this month has to go to a fledgling Willow Warbler (sorry no photos) who has put in a few appearances towards the end of the month.

A Grey Invasion

Another morning with me wool winding and man handling Mules while Husband was left with all the jobs at home. The afternoon was intended to be housework and cooking. We never mind being interrupted by nature, and this lovely Grey Wagtail was a very welcome distraction.

Less welcome was a visit from our Local Red Squirrel 'coordinator'. A while ago we had offered him our help should the need arise, to check traps locally in the fight against the Grey Squirrel Invasion. This morning he had seen a young grey at one of his monitoring posts, so from first thing tomorrow, it's three visits a day to a secret location.

Mrs & Mrs Busy B

A Cumbrian family gathering, with Mum and Dad and Sister and Brother-in-Law here for the weekend kept us busy from Thursday until Tuesday morning. Sitting in the garden having a well earned cup of coffee and deciding how to spend the rest of the day - but suddenly it was all organised for us.
I was needed by one of our neighbouring farmers who was going to be clipping, Husband was needed by our Friendly Farrier, who chose today to fit our new gates.



Nothing here is ever too simple. We could have just hung new gates on the old hinges to replace the rotten ones, but common sense meant they needed moving further down the drive - so new hinges into the stone wall etc. It's very useful having such talented friends. Especially when they live opposite!

Well hung and Creosoted. They are a vast improvement on the last pair, which were literally dropping to bits.

Family Outing

I was first introduced to Cumbria by my parents. Our family holidays were always here - even before I was even thought of. In fact, 50 years ago, they spent their honeymoon here. It seemed appropriate then to do at least one fell walk while we were all together. Time being short, a short walk is called for. Little Mell Fell. the little fell with Big views.

Golden celebrations

A Family get together is on the cards to celebrate Mum and Dad's Golden Wedding Anniversary. Mum and Dad arrived on Thursday, followed by Alison and Chris on Friday. Saturday evening was already organised for a celebratory meal at Temple Sowerby House Hotel.
Husband and I have got to know it through friends, and hoped that the rest of the family would enjoy the experience as much as we have done on our previous visits.
The Happy Couple with their two wonderful (!) daughters

And not forgetting the unforgettable Sons in Law

We were delighted to find that we were treated just as brilliantly as we had hoped, although the taxi journey on the way there is another story completely........

Baby Boomers

In recent days there have been many phone calls between here and Northamptonshire of a competitive nature. Who has the most interesting baby birds in the garden! Like everyone we have had fledgling house sparrows and blackbirds for weeks, but here is a montage of some of the cute ones we've seen in the last few days.

We have two baby Woodies currently visiting - here's one getting a little encouragement from Dad.

The Tree Sparrow family launch themselves from the fence
And Mrs P paid us an early morning visit - complete with family (who I didn't spot till they were leaving!)
Our nest box Blue Tits have fledged - 6 we, think but one sadly flew into the window and died. Here are two of them with the two of the Great Tit family
And you have to look carefully - they are well camouflaged. About a week later than Northants, our Nuthatches have fledged. Here is one youngster being fed in the tree, so far we have seen two babies.

Wildlife Bonanzer

Still on a high from our recent squiggle visits, we have also had another infrequent visitor for the past couple of days. A Jay has swooped in and fairly swiftly swooped out again. Never when the camera has been handy so you'll have to take our word for it. Also off camera have been a couple of Dragonflies. One was probably a Common Darter, and the other was an 'Unidentified Red One'. Pond life continues to amaze me. Water Boatmen, lots of wiggly things some Protegee Great Diving Beetles (we think), lots of various water snails and a whole host of very small things.
In ever decreasing numbers, the tadpoles are growing up, many are committing suicide by climbing out and drying to death and I'm sure the early morning birds are making The Puddle their Breakfast Bar, judging by the stones that are strewn all over the place in the mornings.

WARNING - Photo Overload

What a day we had yesterday. We were off racing to Hexham, where one of my regular winter mounts was running. Forestside or Dippy as we call him, won at Hexham 11 days ago and was favourite today. He ran in the first race - and won again. As this was Jame's 3rd winner in 11 days (Kingsmoss - Mossy - won in the week at Wetherby), he took us all out for a celebratory meal last night.
But before we even left home in the morning the day had got off to a good start....

Is This Bragging?

We have a friend who loves Clematis - particularly Nelly Moser. Sadly she hasn't managed to locate one in a Cumbrian garden centre yet. I guess last time she was here, ours wasn't flowering so she would not have realised what variety it was. Well it is now!