" Rannerdale Bluebells re-visited "

Date & start time: 8th May 2011, 5.30 pm start.

Location of Start : Hawes Point, Crummock Water, Cumbria, Uk ( NY 163 184 )

Places visited : Rannerdale Valley.

Walk details : 1.6 mls, 300 ft of ascent, 45 mins.

Highest point : Rannerdale Valley 550 ft - 169 m.

Walked with : Ann and the dogs, Harry and Bethan.

Weather : Sunshine after a heavy, thundery shower.

At the time of the Easter visit, the bluebells were just starting to show

so after a bit of rain and a few weeks to grow we take a return trip to see them.

No sharp edges, no balloon or boat trips but there is a train involved today.

There is also a very heavy rain shower in progress !

As we left home we noticed a big black cloud passing over Crummock Water and we nearly turned back.

However, the skies were looking hopeful and a few minutes wait in the car allowed the sunshine to break through.

Wet roads but beautifully clear air after the heavy shower.

The clouds pass away north and east over Low Fell

and we are bathed in sunshine again.

The last of the rain clears Grasmoor.

The track from the parking at Hawes point leads up to the bottom end of Rannerdale Valley.

There's some nice colour on the fields ahead.

Quite a lot of people about today, but then it is a sunny Sunday afternoon

and many folk have ventured out, just like us, specifically to see the bluebells.

The conical shape of Whiteless Pike above the new carpet of blue.

There's been a lot of growth since my last visit at Easter . . . this side of the fell was still green two weeks ago.

There are plans afoot for a mountain railway for visitors to really appreciate the area in a new way.

A scale model has been installed to give visitors and idea of the potential for the project.

For today though we must travel on foot around the fields of blue.

( Only joking about the railway by the way ! )

A close up of the flowers.

In some areas it's touch and go whether the bracken or bluebells are winning.

The rain that passed overhead has moved away but still colours the sky over behind the fells.

Some other visitors remarked on a delightful rainbow over the fells as the rain cleared.

Walking up the path towards the bridge.

We've lost the Hawthorn blossom in many parts of the valley where the sunshine and dry weather was followed by strong winds which

stripped the trees bare. Here the May Flowers must be later and are just reaching their prime in the more gentle, damp breezes this week.

The path (the old leat) takes us towards the valley.

A good spread of colour this year on the slopes of Rannerdale Knotts itself.

Some nice areas across the bridge . . .

South facing slopes have encouraged the flowers to bloom.

A close up of the flowers themselves.   - - - o o o - - -   They are not the deep blue of some years   probably due to the lack of April rain   but otherwise they've put on a fine show again this year.   - - - o o o - - -

One of the larger blankets of colour.

The erosion scar on Rannerdale Beck as the stream joins the main valley from the slopes of Whiteless Pike.

I take a walk up the valley a short distance to see what flowers are about in the top fields

and to allow the dogs time off the leads to run about and get tired !

A blue sheen on the upper part of the valley.

New Herdwick lambs running across the field opposite.

Meanwhile Ann has taken a more gentle route following the stream up to the bridge.

She was struck by the same large carpets of blue on the other side.

Looking back down to Crummock, now reflecting the blue of the sky above.

On my return I take the top path for a short distance.

That's me in the centre of Ann's picture of Whiteless Pike.

More or less a return shot except Ann's not in it !

There are some nice flowers on this side.

Some of the new planted trees are growing well at last.

Zooming in at ground level.

Grasmoor this time above and beyond the blue carpet.

Looking back from the Cinderdale Track.

Time to find a gap through the flowers to cross back over to Ann.

The sunshine has left us temporarily so the colour has faded as a result.

Back at the Hawthorn Tree.

Colour and sunshine once again.

Lots of folk about now.

A last look back.

The path is this way . . . back to the car.

- - - o o o - - -

If you are the owner of the Rannerdale Mountain Railway carriage,

ask your Mum or Dad to drop me an email

as I have it safely tucked into a siding here for safe keeping.

- - - o o o - - -

Technical note: Pictures taken with either Ann's Canon 75 or my Canon G10 digital camera.

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

This site best viewed with . . . facility for storage of railway carriages.

Go to Top . . . © RmH.2011 . . . Email me here

Previous walk - 7th May 2011 OFC 10th Anniversary Celebrations

A previous time up here - 24th April 2011 Easter Rannerdale Bluebells

Next walk - 10th May 2011 Lanthwaite Bluebells rule OK