Oak Cottage - Loweswater

Retreat to the quiet of the Western Lakes

The Cottage, and  the view up the Buttermere Valley
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Date : Saturday 15th of October 2005

Location : Longlands, the Sca Fells, Knott and Brae Fell - "back of Skiddaw" in the Cumbrian Lake District, UK.

Occasion : A walk with Jill, Ann and the dogs, to complete Jill's round of Northern Fells.

Walk details : 6.25 miles, 2100 ft of ascent, 4hrs 50 mins including a superb sandwich lunch.

Weather : Bright sunny periods in north west Cumbria, and a warm but strong easterly breeze on the fells (the forecast was right for once !)

 

Skiddaw from the Overwater Road

the high fells were clothed in wonderful cotton wool clouds today.

Our route today would take us up Longlands Fell, on the left, and up to Knott in the middle distance.

The cloud over Knott cleared as we climbed and we had good views all day.

Just past Overwater is the small Chapelhouse reservoir

nestling secretively amongst rich green farmland.

Longlands hamlet is no more than a collection of half a dozen houses

but a reasonable parking space and gate give access to Ulldale Common and the open fell.

Climbing rapidly up the pathless front of Longlands Fell

occasional stops allowed us views back to Overwater and Binsey Fell.

From our second summit of Lowthwaite Fell, our route took us up and to the left past Little and Great Sca Fell.

Behind is Knott, our highest point of the day, and to the right, Meal Fell (which we didn't visit on this occasion).

Looking back again - Lowthwaite and Longlands Fells.

The walking up here in the area often called the "back of Skiddaw" is characterised by moorland grass and relatively few paths, quite different from the central fells with their crags and steep ascents.

Little Sca Fell and its summit shelter.

The easterly wind today was getting stronger as we climbed, and this shelter failed to provide any respite from the elements, so lunch was delayed till we found a more sheltered spot.

Jill, Ann and myself on Great Sca Fell.

(many thanks to the passing fellwalker who took the photo - whoever you were)

The view south east from Knott summit - click here or on the photo for a wider panorama

Beyond was the extensive rolling moorland leading over to Mungrisedale Common and Blencathra. There was a rescue helicopter hovering over Sharp Edge today, lets hope it was only a practice session.

Time to turn north again and make our way slowly back. A slight easterly diversion led

to our final summit of Brae Fell, another grassy outlier of the Northern Fells.

The final summit of Brae itself and the chance to cuddle close together to shelter from the strong wind (well that's my excuse !)

For those that know of Angus, I'm the one doing the Angus impression.

Charleton Gill

Our route down from Brae Fell crossed the beck and joined the bridle path back to Longlands Bridge.

 

The fine frontage of Orthwaite Hall

which we passed on the way to Keswick.

Our final destination of the day was to be Keswick, where we met up with fellow members of the Online Fellwalking Club

two of whom were in the Lakes for a celebratory weekend - happy belated birthday Chris.

( l to r ) Chris, myself, Jill, John and Lin at the Keswick Country Hotel. (photo taken by Ann)

 

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 a large pot of tea, several glasses of j2o, and razor blades for John please.

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