A Winter Wander

We needed to be at Thornthwaite today, so we thought we might as well take advantage of the fact that there is significantly less snow further west and have a walk

We parked in Braithwaite village and wound our way up to the miners track heading towards Force Crag Mines

It's never to cold for a dip (if you're a spaniel)

Although it looked cold, it was surprisingly pleasant in the lee of the fells

Normally we turn off the track and ford Coledale Beck before we get to the mine and this had been the plan today. Our return route was to be over Barrow, but for a couple of reasons we had a change of plan and decided to explore the mines and then retrace our steps

Breeze took the opportunity to explore too, she continued to leg it all over the surrounding slopes as we poked around and had a coffee stop

Blencathra behind Lonscale Fell as we start to retrace our steps

Skiddaw

You can take the  Dog off the Fell, but you can't take the Fell off the Dog. 

A very gentle 5.5 miles and we were back to the car in time for our lunch. A private viewing at Thornthwaite Galleries followed, with the successful acquisition of a fiftieth Birthday present for a friend. A pretty successful trip!

Play Time in the Snow

In Memory of Great Uncle Jack

Jack Bonser

Son Of William And Mary Bonser, Of 7, Argyle St., Radford, Nottingham

Died 22 November 1917

Age 19

Service Number 6536

Official Number 280864

Rank Private

1st/1st South Nottinghamshire Hussars

 Laid to Rest Cairo War Memorial Cemetery

Jack Bonser

Son Of William And Mary Bonser, Of 7, Argyle St., Radford, Nottingham

Died 22 November 1917

Age 19

Service Number 6536

Official Number 280864

Rank Private

1st/1st South Nottinghamshire Hussars

 Laid to Rest Cairo War Memorial Cemetery

Be careful where you walk on Low and High Rigg

The clouds are down but the forecast is for much worse later in the week, so we grab the opportunity to get out on the fells, there is no point going high so we opt for Low and High Rigg

Having parked at Naddle, we started out by heading across to Tewet Tarn

As we climb up the diminutive Low Rigg (which at 820 feet is lower than our house) and look back to Blease Fell, you can see why we don't want to walk anywhere high today

High Rigg from Low Rigg. The buildings in between are St John in the Vale Church and Youth Centre

Looking back down to St John from High Rigg

Thirlmere from High Rigg which at 1106ft is just slightly higher than our house!

Follow the wall but mind the bog. Soon after this photo we stopped to put the dog on a lead as there are a few cliffs about and spaniels and cliffs don't mix. Whilst we were stopped a lady passed us and went on ahead after a brief chat. Crossing a boggy section just to the right of the water seen here, the poor lady went from 'terra firma' to 'up to her chest in it' in one footstep. It was pretty shocking to witness, but must have been very frightening for her. Needless to say we ran to her rescue and literally pulled her out, dripping wet but unharmed. I will be more careful where I put my feet in future, and selfishly, I am so glad we stopped to put Breeze on a lead or it would have been me (and Breeze) in that bog

As the weather has started to close in even more, we decided to shorten our route and turned right to follow another wall down the fellside

Then it was a nice easy walk round the bottom of the fell back to St John's

"Come on You Two".
Just back over Low Rigg and back to the car as the heavens began to open

Although it was a grey old day, we managed to stay pretty dry other than the last half mile or so. An eventful 6 miles and a lesson in walking over boggy ground.

Gowbarrow

A beautiful winters day has arrived so we head out for a short walk to make the most of it

Gowbarrow is so handy for us and as we don't want a big walk today it really fits the bill. So after parking at Parkbrow we head straight up onto the fell. Ullswater is in view all the time

With Blencathra looking magnificent in the sunshine behind us

Heading for Gowbarrow Summit

and over the other side

Then we have the delightful walk round the far side from the shooting lodge

Winter Tourist

Walking back to the car past Aira Force

A grand total of 5 miles. What an awesome day!

Moor Divock from Roehead

The first snow of 2015 has arrive (not the first of the winter though). There's only a dusting, but enough to make it look pretty. As we parked up at Roehead, we were met by Barry Murtagh and Richie who had just been exercising two of their string of horses on the fell. A qucik chat and off we go to exercise our little racehorse - OK, I know she's a dog and you know she's a dog, but in her mind she's really a racehorse.

First glimpse of Ullswater

The Cockpit

Boundary Stone on our way back to the car

We only walked about 1.5 miles but we just timed it right as the weather was closing in on us as we walked back down the fell.

And here it is from home the next morning!

The Balcony Route

Storms and high winds look like keeping us off the fells for a while, so Jay and I sneak a short walk in along the Balcony

Looking back at High Rigg and Derwentwater

Wet Dog

Stormy Skies

Glenderraterra Beck

A Moor Divock Meander

One of Breeze's mates is Hetti. Normally we walk them in the Forest near home, but for a change we decided to join nick for a wander on Helton Fell. The girls didn't mind at all!

Gerroff me ginger

I know it's hard to believe, but that's Breeze's playful face!

Ponies on the fell

Girls enjoying themselves

The Cockpit Stone Circle. Nick and Husband take their positions ready for a duel

Hetti and Breeze in the Cockpit

We probably only walked about 3.5 miles, but it's a great place to just meander