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!

Robinson

There hasn't been time for a fell walk for the last couple of weeks and it didn't look too promising this week with a very unsettled forecast - but then suddenly the Met Office changed their minds and suggested a half decent day today. You've got to grab it while you can in this life, so we did just that.

We parked at Little Town and headed down towards Newlands Church

We walked on past High Snab and Low High Snab then out into the valley of Scope Beck

At the head of the valley we reached the Dam and small reservoir. Looking back as we headed beyond it the cloud is still down on Skiddaw and Blencathra. Soon after here the main path heads off up onto Robinson but as usual we opt for the quieter option of keeping straight on

Into the lovely hanging valley of Littledale. Pathless and peaceful.

We stopped for an early lunch overlooking Deep Gill as we knew there wouldn't be any better picnic spots than this from here other than the summit, and summit lunches are not really our thing on a popular fell like this.

Relaxing

Leaning on Dad

The view from our lunch spot. The cloud has lifted from the Northern fells

Shortly after lunch we reach Littledale Edge and the views open up immediately. Fleetwith Pike in the foreground

Crummock and Loweswater as we near the summit of Robinson

It's a tad breezy up here, but pretty much ideal walking weather

Keswick with Skiddaw in the background as we start to descend

It's a steep, rocky descent which has got a lot more eroded since we were last here (probably about 7 or 8 years ago - how time flies!), so no pictures. Once we had climbed down to Blea Crags, we decided to cut down to the reservoir. Here we look back as we begin to drop down off the side of the fell. It's steep but grassy and after the scramble down the crags, it's quite a relief

Once we get the the reservoir it's just a case of retracing our earlier route. Gentle down hill, soft and springy. Lovely to walk out on (or run if you're a spaniel)

Time for a quick look inside Newlands Church where a wedding has recently been held. Presumably a local farming family judging by the mini straw bales over by the windows

Another thoroughly enjoyable walk. 7.5 miles more or less. We saw very few people again - just one couple near the Dam on the way up, another couple on Littledale edge (A Tesco delivery driver who delivers to our village!) and a walking group coming towards us just before the summit. I reckon that's pretty good going for a lovely day in July.

Is this Independance day?

So, the out vote won and apparently the world is about to end. Let's hope that before too long everyone will stop bickering and blaming each other for everything.
We received some really very, very sad news today and by God does it put this all into perpective. Life is short, live it to the full, try to find the positive in every situation and cherish the ones you love, you never know what is round the corner.

EU referendum

We are so sick of hearing all the bickering about the EU Referendum. Politicians slagging each other off left right and centre. Random people (many of whom are good friends) spouting on social media, to your face or on the phone that we must STAY IN/GET OUT. Did I actually ask for their opinion? Everyone has suddenly become an expert and it is really very boring. So here is my opinion for what it is worth, oh and a few pics that I took on our way down to the village to cast our votes.

In? or Out?

 Whatever we decide, the wildlife in our garden really couldn't care less

Neither could the cattle in the park

Time to pop down to the village to pick up the paper and cast our votes. It's a beautiful day, so lets take a walk. I don't think I've ever taken my camera on a local road walk, but it is such a nice day it seems a shame not to take the opportunity to show you what a wonderful area we live in.

Back home for a cool down