Best Mates

Mardale

As the dry weather continues, the old village of Mardale Green which was flooded in order to create Haweswater back in 1935, reappears. Well the remnants of it do. The buildings were all demolished before the village was flooded, but walls and eventually a bridge gradually appear as the water level drops. This is a pretty rare occurrence so we thought we'd go and see how it looks at the moment - along with all the tourists!! The last time we visited was back in July and this is how it looked then.

 

We got there in decent time as we envisaged a lot of folk being about. That turned out to be the right decision!

 

Once again we've picked a cracking day, flat calm reflections on Haweswater which is behind us as we climb up onto Swine Crag

As we walk along the ridge of Heron Crag and Eagle Crag, looking down you can see the walls below which would normally be under water

It's really hot up here and Breeze makes the most of the tarn on Caspel Gate. There must have been a hatch this morning, the midges are awful.

Looking back at our route from Long Stile you can see Breeze's tarn just below rough crag. At this point we haven't seen a single person. That was not what we expected in this area given the draw of the low lake level, but it was a real bonus.

and up onto Racecourse Hill. The western fells provide a view for our lunch stop. Thankfully as we reached the top, the midges disappeared and didn't reappear. People were the opposite - gradually we saw more and more of them from now on. Although to be fair, we still didn't see too many until we got back to within a gnats whisker of the carpark.

Zooming in on the western fells.

Breeze has always thought she is really a racehorse, so she feels well at home on Racecourse Hill. We are heading over to Mardale Ill Bell which is the flat ridge in the centre here



and the down Nan Bield Pass to Small water (seen below) and back to the carpark at Mardale Head



When we got back to the car it was clear that the hoards had arrived. There were cars queuing for parking spots and people milling about on the muddy lake bottom.

The reflections were awesome

A very warm 6.75 miles.

Hallin Fell and Ullswater shoreline

Day two of Iain and Chris's visit and we park at Martindale New Church and headed straight up the slopes of Hallin Fell

 

 

L to R, Bridie, Chris and Iain look on as husband does a spot of stick pointing. The church can just be seen in the trees below along with the cars to the right of it

Bess gives her dad a lead with Chris and Bridie (nearly visible) bringing up the rear (probably the only time the men were infront!!)

Ullswater comes into view.

Approaching the Obelisk on the summit of Hallin Fell

Then we make our way back down to the road to pick up the path to Sandwick and then the shoreline path



Does my bum look big in this?

Chris, Iain and Bridie crossing Sandwick Beck

Sandwick Bay

Time for a game of Pooh Sticks

Bridie has more sense, but Breeze and Bess raced out to the stick, but who got there first?

Breeze is a little concerned Bess might just come and steal her prize

A Steamer heading for Howtown

Lunch with a view

and a last look back at Ullswater as we head towards the cars.

4.6 miles and it stayed dry for us again. Once back at the church we jumped in the car and headed down further into Martindale for a spot of Red Deer spotting. The rutting season is just getting underway and we were rewarded with a herd of around 50 quietly grazing on the fellside.

Half The Balcony Route

Friends Iain and Chris are up staying locally in their caravan for a couple of days and we have a walk planned for tomorrow but the forecast for today is better. We thought it would be nice to meet up for a short walk this afternoon and make the most of it. Once they have got settled into their pitch, we head off to the sanatorium and make our way along the familiar route. 

 

 

 

Husband and Iain go back a long way. They were at college together and then became work colleagues too - which is where I first met Iain. They had a lot to talk about it would seem, or at least I think that was why they were always way behind us.

From left to right - Iain, Bess, Bridie and Chris taking a paddle

and again with a bit more scenery

We didn't do the full route today. Partly due to time and partly because Bridie is an old lady and we didn't want to over do it; after all we are planning another walk tomorrow. So just before Roughten Gill we headed down to meet the Glenderaterra Beck and follow it back to the Wescoe road

Still chatting!

One last look at the view before we climb back up to the cars. A bit of stick pointing as usual!

About 3 miles, just enough to work up an appetite for supper!

Bowscale Tarn and an Unexpected Visitor

For the first time in weeks or even months, the weather forecast is crap but we have planned a walk. Every problem creates an opportunity - we'll do a short walk suitable for a 9 month old dog and pick a route with fairly easy ground conditions. That way Molly can come too.

 

 

Weather as forecast - hill fog and drizzle, but mild. Suitably togged up we set off up the lonnin towards the tarn

Before taking the left hand path towards the eastern side of the tarn. Look at Molly go! She really seemed to be enjoying herself.

Bowscale Tarn comes into view and Breeze is off

Molly dipped all four feet in, and then waited patiently for Breeze to finish her paddle

As usual Breeze was waiting for no-one. From the tarn we headed down to the Roundhouse

Looking back at the bridge from The Roundhouse. The tarn is on the flat area directly above the bridge but just below the cloud - and then walked back along Swineside, through Mosedale and back to Bowscale

About 4.5 miles round trip. Damp but warm. We actually commented how nice it was to walk in the rain for a change!
We headed home for a spot of lunch before Jay and Molly headed back to the other side of the river. While husband and I were still sitting cogitating I suddenly spotted movement in the garden. So quick I nearly missed it. Then suddenly it happened again. A stoat shot out from the bushes and was performing it's Dance of Death on the lawn.

 

These pics are taken through the window as usual and a stoat is even harder to capture on film than a spaniel

After numerous appearances doing the Death Dance, he got brave and started to appear closer to the house

On and off he spent the afternoon putting in an appearance. It's no wonder we never get anything done around here.

Are Dogs Really Like Their Owners?

They say dogs are like their owners. Well our chimney sweep came today and he's got a new pup - Elsa. She might not look anything like Jim, but if  you had to choose a pup for a chimney sweep, could you choose anything better?

 

We had promised Breeze a trip to the seaside this afternoon to help heal her paw. She didn't take any persuading.

A few of these had been washed up. Thankfully when we told her to leave them, she did.

Which is more than can be said for Oyster Catchers. She has great fun chasing waders

No, it hasn't gone dark, I'm facing the sun

See that Mountain? That's Criffel. See if you can swim that far Breeze.

 

 

 Here she is in action...........

 

 

 

 

 

What a way to round of a trip to the Seaside - Twentyman's Icecream