Our starting point was the car park in Rosthwaite and then up through the village and past the famous Flock Inn (tea rooms by Royal appointment). Instructions to those who care to use the outside loo. Note: only customers are allowed to do this ! I wonder if He did ?

Crossing the valley towards the river we could see the wooded hillside of Castle Crag ahead of us.

Known as New Bridge, this fine single stone arch crosses the River Derwent.

The river has to skirt around Castle Crag and flow through the Jaws of Borrowdale before reaching Derwent Water itself, some two and a half mile further north.

Several people were taking a late afternoon stroll along the riverside path, but once we branched off and started the climb we had the place to ourselves. There was a steep section up through the woods to the flatter ridge area but the last section of the walk involves climbing the old slate tip using this well worn zig-zag path. (photo). The sun was setting fast behind the high fells around us and the heat had gone out of the day, but the slate literally radiated heat as we climbed. Through the trees we had continual glimpses of the valley each with a different perspective as we climbed. From half way up the zig-zags the full panorama of the Borrowdale Fells came into view.

Glaramara, Alan Crags, Great End and the Scafells (in cloud)

and the northern outlier of Gray Knotts (in sunshine).

The summit reached, Ann with Harry on the cairn and Holly admiring the old quarry . . . .

or was she just posing for a photo in front of Skiddaw ?

Photography was difficult today due to the high contrast between sky and shadow.

This shot is looking down the River Derwent to the lake, with Skiddaw, Skiddaw Little Man, Longscale and Blencathra in the distance.

To our left (east) on the way down, the fells of Bessyboot, Glaramara and Great End.

Evening light on Eagle Crag and Bessyboot

but the valley has now lost the sun for the day (see earlier picture).

"Spot the Bull"

Cows . . . now there's a whole new topic of conversation. What do you do when faced with fifty or so inquisitive animals, each dying to get a closer look at the passing dogs. A positive stance, a bit of shouting and arm-waving and the message got through as to who was boss. Once at the gate I had time to stroke the wee beasties . Ann who traveled a short distance behind missed out on all the attention but was faced with a gate full of fifty or so rear ends - not a pretty sight !

On the way back now, over Honister and down to Buttermere village.

Those specks on the skyline were the first of five para gliders who had been flying along High Snockrigg. As we passed they flew down and landed in the field remarkably close to the Fish Public House. Convenient that !

Out of sequence geographically but best kept to the end . . . an excellent Buttermere Sunset.

Calm waters from the bend in the road as we reached the head of the lake.

Quiet reflections - what more needs to be said.

Click here or on the photo for a fuller panorama of the sunset.

- - - o o o - - -

Technical note: Pictures taken with a Canon IXUS 400 Digital camera.

Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder.

This site best viewed . . . with no breeze to spoil the reflections.

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