Mosedale

We headed East for a walk starting out at Mardale Head and taking in one of the many Mosedales in the Lake District. Mosedale means 'wet valley'. It is never wrong, and never more so than today! It was supposed to be a cloudy start, but a promising forecast. When we set off though it was beginning to look like the forecast might be wrong. Full waterproofs went on as a precaution - but stayed on all day

 As we headed up Gatesgarth pass, the first thing to strike us was how much water there was about. We had had hardly any rain at home, but there must have been some serious weather in these parts yesterday

 From Gatesgarth we turned at Brownhowe Bottom and headed into Mosedale. Many becks and gills need crossing through here, and it was no easy feat in these conditions. As lunchtime arrived, so did Mosedale Cottage - a welcome sight on a very damp day

 As we neared the cottage, Mr B spotted a small herd of Red Deer. Rutting season is well underway now, so if you keep your eyes peeled in these fells you might just be lucky (not the best picture, but evidence at least!)

 Walking round to the front door

 And into the dry and warm of Mosedale Cottage. Maintain by the mountain bothys association. Our lunch stops just get better and better!

 Chance for us all to dry off a bit, although some of us are a little wetter than others - by choice!

 From Mosedale we walked around Nabs More and over Swine Gill before reaching Swindale Head where we joined the old corpse road. Looking back from the old corpse road we could see where we had come from - the centre of the skyline here

 Following the old corpse road for a couple of miles brings you back to the road alongside Haweswater for a nice gentle end to a wet soggy walk! Over 10 miles and an awful lot of bog dodging!

Once back in the car and about to drive off, we were approached by two men. Well kitted out with all the gear - poles, rucksacks, expensive coats etc. They asked us how far it was to the main road! If you know this area, you will be laughing already. If you don't it might even be worth the effort of looking on Google maps at 'Mardale Head'. These two fools had been walking from Hartsop (check that out on Google too) and had taken a wrong turn. They had no map, no idea where they were (half an hour by car to the nearest main road!) and were wanting to find a bus route to get them back to their car at Hartsop.
Being kind souls, we managed to squeeze them into the backseat - complete with all their gear (wet) and poor Jay who had been sitting quite comfortably up to this point. We dropped them at the Hawswater hotel, where they were going to summon a taxi. Rather them than us to pay the taxi fare!

HIgh Pike Another Way With A Very Salobrious Lunch Stop

The forecast couldn't make it's mind up for today. Yesterday it was awful, so we planned a low level walk from Fellside. This morning it was better, so we changed the route to sort of mid level but with options to go higher or lower. In the end we opted for the higher route and followed the Cumbria way from Fellside up over High Pike. It was fine, hazy but very windy. It was a struggle to take a picture, so just one to prove we were there.

In view of the fact that the weather wasn't too bad, we thought we'd extend our route a bit and head out over Harestones to Lingy Hut for a bit of shelter for our lunch. Neither Breeze or Jay had been to Lingy Hut before - and you're really not a proper fell walker round these parts without a visit here.

It was wonderful in the shelter of the hut. So much so, that when we ventured back outside, it was coat and gloves on time.

From Lingy Hut we traced our steps back over Harestones and then branched off across Birk Moss and Peteraw to drop down to Roughton Gill

Fron here it was a bit more sheltered, but still breezy, but an easy walk back to the car. About 9 miles in total with a maximu height of 2145 ft. Not bad for a day when we thought we would be lucky to do 3 or 4 miles!

Not Knock

A great forecast with early morning mist due to clear and leave a gorgeous day. For a change we planned a route on the Pennines, up a couple of fells visible from the front of our house. Knock Fell and Great Dunn Fell. So after picking Jay up as we passed virtually by their door, we parked at Knock. It was still very low cloud and we had been dithering on the way here, but the route we planned had a couple of possibilities for variation so we set off in hope.

It soon became clear (excuse the pun) that it wasn't going to clear. In fact, the cloud dropped even further, so once we reached about 1000ft and were faced with this...........

We decided to take plan B and stick to a shorter, lower level walk. Instead of about 9.5 miles and a height of 2500ft, we actually managed about 6 miles and not much more than 1000ft. But we had a nice afternoons walk and I managed to get one clearish photo - of the old quarry on Knock pike.

Double Trouble

Brreze had a big weekend this weekend. Jess' owners had to go away for a couple of days - and seeing as I had offered in the past, we were asked if it would be possible for us to have her to stay. We didn't think Breeze would mind! Jess duly arrived at 7am on Saturday. As normal, they started playng the moment she came in the door 

As it was a glorious weekend, they weren't confined to indoors, so play continued outside

They had plenty of exercise when we took them out for a walk, I don't think Jess had ever run so fast. But as soon as they came home, they played a bit more

They did have a bit of a rest in the evening and through the night (I think!), but first thing on Sunday morning, play resumed

and continued all day - although there was the odd pause by this time. Jess went home on Sunday evening. I think they probably both slept well that night!

Just Because

 I needed a recent photo of Breeze the other day, and would you believe, all I had were ones taken on the fells, so I thought I ought to put that right................

Four Stone Hill

One of Husband's sons is up with us for a few days, so a shortish walk is in order, we decide to head over to Burnbanks by the Haweswater Dam. This gives up the chance to meet up with another friend who we have been planning to walk with for a while. Anne just lives up the road from Burnbanks, so it's really convenient for her. Just half a walk, about 4.5 miles, and far too much chatting with Anne, means very few photos!

Anne looks after two Jack Russels on a Monday. As neither seemed to want to behave in bracken, Husband takes control of Charlie, Paul follows his Dad

Whilst Anne has Nelly (who is so small you can't see her) and Splodge, her faithful collie follows her off lead.

Barrow, Outerside and Causey Pike

Ask me which is my favourite fell and I'm not sure if I could answer, but Causey Pike is high on the list. It's the 'we're on holiday' skyline. But we're not on holiday, we live here ;-))

So today, we are meeting Joan to walk in an anti clockwise direction around this picture, finishing with Causey Pike which is the knobbley fell left of centre

By luck we have picked a glorious day, we were in for some cracking views and the dogs were in for lots of fun. I don't think Wattie is too impressed with Spaniel tricks in heather though

As I said, we had cracking views - in every direction

And whilst it is not a very flattering picture of any of them, at least I have proof of the other members of our party. Husband, Joand and Jay (who is now established as our regular walking pal)

The famous knobbles on Causey give Jay a bit of a suprise - she thought she was coming out for a gentle walk, not rock climbing!

 Our view as we head down to the car at Uzzicar. Derwent water in the centre of the picture with Keswick off to it's left

A really warm autumn day, thoroughly enjoyed by all and after 7 miles, Breeze sits without being asked!

Souther Fell

It's best foot forward and we start out with four healthy feet (ten if you caount the humans). We choose Souther Fell today as the forecast is for a bit of lowish cloud and we know that the terrain is lunatic spaniel feet friendly. We are hoping to finish today without any foot injuries for a change. The first section of the old minors trod up The Tongue, is the only stoney part of the whole walk, so fingers crossed.

We are planning to walk up the side of The Tongue and then across the top of Bannerdale Crags, seen here in the middle, before dropping down a bit to then climb back up over Souther Fell, the start of which is just visible on the far left of this picture

Like all well made plans, that is what we did, only there now follows a short break in the photgraphic record due to the weather not following the plan! As we neared the top of Bannerdale Crags, the cloud and rain came down and it was full waterproofs and no visibility for quite a while. We then walked down along White Horse Bent, without much rain, but still plenty of could as you can see below

Up onto Souther and it was beginning to clear, enough to pick out houses of friends down below us, near Troutbeck

The all off a sudden the clouds cleared and it was time to put away the waterproofs and take a look back to see how Bannerdale Crags are supposed to look

Another enjoyable walk, in spite of the weather. Another first for Jay, and four healthy intact feet at the end too.

Awwwwwwwwwwwww

Have a look at this, and if you turn the sound up, amid the crackles you'll hear her squeaking to her babies! Puppies?

A lovely present

Breeze, aged Four Months.

No, she isn't wearing a jumper, it's the crap photographer!

Sand and Salt Water

In our quest to harden Breeze's feet up as quickly as possible, we opted for a trip to Silloth this week in place of a fell walk. So after Fish and Chips on the front, a quick stop off to buy some shrimps from a local fisherman, then it was out into the sand dunes and off we go. Can you spot the spaniel?

Once across the dunes it was nearly straight into the sea. We had timed it to catch the tide as it went out. This week has seen some really big tides and it goes out a very long way here. Breeze took no persuading to venture into the waves

Then as the tide goes out, acre upon acre of sand appears. A spaniel dream. Water, sand and hundreds of birds to chase.

If you want to wear a dog out, bring it here and let it chase Breeze.

One happy, tired dog. Two well fed people and a car full of sand!

Another Uldale Round

Another trip to the Uldae Fells today. Good kind terrain for a lunatic with delicate feet. Thanks to the RAf for the Lancaster flypast as we set off - nice touch we thought!

So off we went, from Longlands we followed Longlands Beck, a nice gentle start (unless you are a lunatic)

 Eventually we walked through the gap known as Trusmadoor - seen here from the other side.

 And from a little higher, Trusmadoor in the centre of the picture with the Solway Firth in the far distance

The observant will notice we are down to one boot today - and this is purely precautionary. Here we are working our way up Burn todd, aiming for the summit of Knott

Which as it is 'back o' Skidda', overlooks............... Skiddaw

Another First for Breeze today. A lunch time Siesta. Do you think this dog is growing up?

After luch we made our way onto Great Sca Fell, Little Sca Fell, Lowthwaite and then onto Longlands Fell. The siesta seemed to have recharged the batteries!

Full Steam Ahead on Ullswater

One of the priviledges of living so close to Ullswater is knowing many of the Ullswater Steamers crew, so we don't need too much persuasion to join the aboard for a Lake Cruise. This time we have Simon and Sal with us, so we decide to catch the Steamer at Pooley bridge and head for Howtown, where we get off and wave Bye Bye to Welsh Dave and crew as they head off to Glenridding

We head to Glenridding too, but on foot, round Hallin Fell to Sandwick and then a leisurely lunch at Scalehow force. Kind of someone to leave four stones for us to sit on!

You might notice Breeze is sporting some rathe nice boots. We are still struggling with her wearing thorugh her pads due to the mileage and speed at which she travels and the constant skid stopping and changing direction. This was the first real test for these boots and the most amazing thing was that they stayed on. The fact that she wore thorugh them is another matter, which will probably be covered in a later post.....

Just to prove that there really were four of us - a quick self timer shot (camera is still refusing to oblige with colours and exposures, it was much nicer that this really!)

Having followed the shoreline to Patterdale and then walked up the raod to Glenridding, by pure chance we were just in time to get back onto Raven to join welsh dave and his crew back to Pooley Bridge. Todays Steamer trip was a first for Simon and Sal ( I think)

And a first for Breezey. She got tickled all the way from Pooley Bridge to Howtown by a nice lad from Essex so she really didn't mind that at all. On the way back - well see for yourself. After two fell walks in three days, I think she was just happy to have somewhere to kip for a few minutes.