Whiteside

Going over to Joan's on Sunday tempted us with the Lorton Fells. Sitting in her conservatory watching the evening light on the heather was really nostalgic. We decided that we would head that way again today. The forecast was for a fair amount of cloud. They were wrong :-)

As usual, we had made up our own route and tried to follow paths which were likely to be quiet. We were right :-)

We left the car at Swinside and instead of heading straight up, we followed the intake wall, round below Dodd and Whiteside

Damp underfoot and very wet bracken, but the sun was already really warm. T shirts and shorts weather (well for me at least)

Foulsyke comes into view so we give Joan a wave. She would have joined us today, but for a couple of reasons it wasn't possible.

As we leave the Intake wall to head up Whin Ben, Melbreak and the head of Crummock water can be seen beyound Lanthwaite Green Farm. The pointy bit on the Skyline is Red Pike.

Looking up Gasgale Gill as we make the steep ascent. The heather is really at it's best just now

Breeze is up and down countles times, while we carefully pick our way and scramble in places, she just leaps from one place to another.

By now it's really warm - hard work!

Coledale Hause at the top of Gasgale Gill

The amazing Dog Boots, can't recommend them highly enough

Did I say it's steep?

Finally we reach the top and stop for a bite to eat. That's one bite for us and about a dozen for the midges. We didn't stop for long!

From the top of Whiteside we headed North and walked down the heathery slope towards Dodd (seen here ahead)

We had passed one fell runner and one lone lady on the way up between Whin Ben and Whiteside. This was the closest we cam to anyone else all day!

Finally we cross Hope Beck and follow the path back along Swinside to the car. We had only walked 5.5 miles, but in the heat and with the steep climb - along with the fact that none of us are very fit as we haven't managed much walking this summer - it felt like we'd had a tough walk! We were all in agreement that we had definitely earned a Lucini's ice cream on our way back down Winlatter.

In truth she only had the last inch or so, I ate most of it!

A Sunday miscellany

Breakfast time and one of our regular visitors had a really heavy collision with the window. It's never a boring old house sparrow!

We kept a watchful eye out and kept in sight to deter the local Sparrow Hawks and after a good half hour sitiing nearly motionless and obviously in shock, I'm pleased to say it flew away looking none the worse for wear.

The afternoon was spent on our annual pilgrimage to Loweswater Show, followed by supper at Joan's, where we used to stay on our hols Crummock Water Cottages, something we have done every year since we moved here.
In between the show and supper there was time for a short dog walk down to Crummock. Not a bad end to a beautiful day.

Dale Beck and Roughton Gill

One of our favourite spots for a local dog walk but one we haven't visited that much lately. We used to bring Hattie here often. PArking at Fellside, we headed off towards the ford across Dale Beck

You'd think she had never been off the lead before!

As normal, Breeze gallops about at such a speed, the camera just caught her as she landed having leapt from the bank on the left and then carrying on round to her left ahead of us. Although this looks pretty dramatic, I can assure you she never even broke her stride!

Play time

Not another soul around. Just the sound of birds and the beck. If you only want to have a wander about, it would be hard to find a more perfect place.

Dipper

Princess

Coffee stop at Roughton Gill

Heading back to the car

We only walked a little over 4.5 miles, and it's pretty much on the level but this place never fails to remind me how lucky we are to be living here.

Langhowe Pike, Seat Robert from Swindale

Determined to have a decent length walk while we are back home, but wanting to avoid other people we decide on a route which is new to us, in the Shap Fells. We parked Just below the filter house on Swindale Lane and made our way down the lane to Truss Gap. United Utilities are busy installing fish ladders, eel ladders and other improvements to the water course. 

Crossing through their site we then headed across the fellside below Trussgap Brow

As we make our way across the fell side. Swindale Foot is below on the right of this picture with Swindale Head in the distance behind us. If you are paying attention, you will also notice that Molly has joined us for today's outing!

We spotted these two Red Deer Stags below, making the most of some decent grass as they fatten up for rutting season.

Langhowe Pike, our first summit of the day

This is not a walk to do in wet conditions! All over the top there were bogs and marshes to avoid. We made our way over Rowantree Crag

Before stopping for lunch on Great Ladstones

As we reached Seat Robert we could see a squally shower heading our way. Thinking we might as well make the most of the summit shelter we got the waterproofs out and sat and waitied

Then we decided the cairn offered more shelter so we moved and waited a bit longer. It's always worth the effort of getting the waterproofs out - the shower passed by us with hardly a spot landing on us!

Across more boggy ground we reach the summit of High Wether Howe. As we stood admiring the view, Husband spotted a herd of Red Deer within feet of us. Needled to say by the time I had got the camera organised they had moved away!

In the distance you can see Mosedale Cottage details of which can be found here

Looking towards the Pennines, we make our way gently down, following the wall to Waite Howes

Before the path turns down through the bracken, back to the United Utilities site below.

A short stretch back up Swindale Lane took us back to the car. Approximately 8.5 miles and another day of lovely temperatures and (other than one or two working on the site) not another human around. Bliss!

The Wedding of The Year

In between parent duties and coming home (both geographically and chronologically) we had the honour of attending Cousin Simon's wedding in Nottingham.

The Happy Couple. Simon and Nancy. It's a bit of a whirlwind romance, they've only been together for 17 years!

L to R - Mum, Aunty Mary and Aunty Sylvia. Little Sis, Big Sis and Honorary Sis

Simon, Nancy and Sam arrive at the reception

The band entertain while Cousin Derek is the official photographer

Simon gives his speech to a captivated audience

Nancy and her Dad

Soggy Cumbria Way

We had planed to have a few hours on the fells today. Without wanting to think too hard about where to go, we thought we would do a spot of exploring again, but when we parked up at our usual spot in Mosedale, the cloud was down and it looked like it was planning to stay down. The prospect of thrashing through wet bracken didn't seem such a bright idea! So instead, we meandered along the Cumbria Way, a very frequent dog walking route for us, but as I had my camera with me I thought I may as well use it!