Perfection, close to home.

For a number of reasons we don't seem to be getting much serious fell walking in at the moment and we had thought we would remedy that today. The heather is just about to go past it's best, so we decided we would walk somewhere where we could make the most of that. Hmmmm, where to go? 

There is one place near home where we walk over and over again. Short walks, long walks, flat walks hilly walks, pretty much any sort of walk and we can achieve it from here. We know this area very well yet there are still lots of things to explore. So off we go up the Cumbria way from Grainsgill Bridge.

After a little while we head off the cumbria way to find our own route, up Burdell Gill. It's a warm day.

We love exploring Gills and this one is turning our to be particularly pleasant

Lots of pools for Breeze to cool down

She is enjoying exploring the terrain, just as we are

Tumbling cascades all the way

Many of the Rowan trees are looking very frail. They are still suffering from the fell fire that burnt all this side of the fell two years ago - started by some ignorant itinerant with a bbq. 

It's breathtakingly beautiful and unspoilt 

and as usual in these places, we have it to ourselves

The last bit of the climb up through the heather. The smell was lovely

We had a leisurely lunch, sitting and relaxing in the sun

We had company

After lunch it was onwards and upwards

Leaving the heather behind

As we reach the summit of Knot

We had no set plan as to where to go from here so we started to head towards Great Calva

The Wiley Gill caught our eye. So having explored on gill on the way up, we decided to explore another on the way down

Such a lovely day, we stopped for a while part way down. It's hard work bouncing through heather all day when you are only 18" high

Power nap

We rejoin the Cumbria way at the bottom of Wiley Gill

And head back along very familiar territory

Past Breeze's favourite sheepfold. 

We arrived back at the car having seen no-one bar sheep and butterflies and having walked about 7.5 miles.

The Other Borrowdale

Another chance to find somewhere away from the crowds! Down the A6, parking at High Barrow Bridge we cross the road and make our way down to the giant stepping stones

Borrowdale ahead

Nice to see some Rough Fells about

Breasthigh Road as we climb onto Bretherdale Common

Whinash summit - Breeze is not too impressed that the stone isn't suitable for her to jump on

That's more like it! There is a really strong, cold wind today

So we drop down from Belt Howe to find a sheltered spot for lunch. A good chance to add a few more to my collection of adorable pictures!

Next we walk through Low Borrowdale Farm

Followed by High Borrowdale Farm

Before making our way back along the valley floor

Peace and quiet in the middle of silly season again. 7.5 miles and a lot of sheep!

Avoiding the crowds in Dale Beck

It's full blown silly season and as the years go by, we get more and more antisocial with our walking. The backo'skidda fells get more and more publicity and consequently what used to be quiet routes are sadly becoming less so. Looking on the positive side - all this does is gives us even more incentive to find routes that other people aren't using!

Today's walk had started out on very familiar territory along Dale Beck, but we have a loose plan to do a bit of exploring

Off we go up Silver Gill

The Opaque pool at the top hides a disused shaft

Time for a spot of lunch

Then after walking over Yard Steel, we head down Wet Smargill

We don't tire of these sort of walks. So peaceful and always something new to find. Breeze is happy anywhere so long as she can run!

Approximately 6 miles of solitude - sheer bliss!