© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number PU 100034184.

 

Peter Burgess has come over to stay for a few days.

On Friday he dropped his Land Rover off for a repair and MOT in our local specialist garage

and we returned via the Loweswater lakeside road.

With keen interest in geography and local history Peter spots an old walled enclosure, recently cleared of undergrowth.

It stands next to the road that runs along the side of Loweswater lake.

It's an old Pinfold or Pound where lost animals were held in the old days.

Hold your cursor over the picture to read the detail a little larger.

That evening we enjoyed a short stroll in the evening up to Harry's Pool.

The river's in partial spate and walkers to Hen Comb might appreciate a small footbridge.

- - - o o o - - -

Next day, Peter and I venture out along the shores of Crummock towards Ling Crags.

Chance for Dylan to stretch his legs too as Harry eases back and takes a shorter but separate walk with Ann.

The walk started from home as we walked down the side lane to Gillerthwaite.

We cross the meadows where the farmer is holding back on haymaking, hoping the meadow flowers will soon bloom.

Across the field is Muncaster House with Whiteside behind.

Out onto the lower road over the stile, heading for High and Low Park.

The sunshine has returned in force after yesterday's overcast and damp day.

From the high ground above High Park we get a view of Rannerdale Knotts this afternoon.

Looking down on the beach next to The Peel.

Across the way, the view of Whiteside now includes Hopegill Head and Grasmoor.

The landmark (or should we say watermark) Iron Stone as we walk along the lakeside path.

It has a gull perched on it today rather than a cormorant.

The beach on Low Ling Crag . . . a pebble-eye view.

Slightly taller with Dylan in view and Low Fell now clear in the background.

Dylan looking serious . . . on the grassy knoll on top of the crag.

The second option it was then . . . as we take the steep path up the right hand side of the crag.

Several tough minutes later, after fighting either the steep, damp path or the drier clinging bracken

we find ourselves on the top of High Ling Crag.

How many of you noticed the two dogs heads ?

Hold your cursor over the picture to make one of them nod !

The slightly obscured path then took us on up the fell,

climbing up from the 150m contour to the 350m contour in a ridiculously short space of time.

On the way we paused for breath,

looking across at distant Buttermere and the surrounding fells clad in their summer green.

The local ladies displaying their summer coats.

The youngsters still have the pure Herdwick, dark brown woolly fleece.

They are a bit like humans . . . their hair starts brown and goes grey with age !

The youngsters also develop lovely white rings around their eyes like sunglasses !

A break in the slope as we reach the dizzy heights near Scale Knott.

It was a steep ascent but no more actual climbing had we taken the longer path by Scale Force.

Entering the wild open spaces of Mosedale . . . not a lot of other folk about.

The distant skyline consists of Great Borne, Floutern Cop and Hen Comb.

The foreground includes a cross-Herdwick lamb

. . . not angry that is, but one with a white coat and the classic herdwick sunglasses.

Last one down the valley . . . please shut the gate.

Leaving Mosedale Valley now and looking back at Mellbreak . . . successfully circumnavigated today.

Well almost circumnavigated (as we started from the phone box).

Here we look down from the lane to Low Park, Crummock Water and distant Grasmoor once again.

Kirkgate Farm have a better show of garden flowers than I have,

but to be fair they've been mounted on the wall, well above rabbit height.

The cattle barns are empty at this time of year.

We passed the animals out in the fields next to the lane on the way down.

Ahead is the Kirkstile pub . . .

Alongside me . . . a rather thirsty Peter.

Cheers.

- - - o o o - - -

In the evening Ann had cooked a lovely meal.

A simple pasta, spinach and cheese bake with parsley topping . . .	. . . plus a garden salad with edible cornflower and nasturtium flowers.

The garden has provided some lovely meals despite the wildlife trying to eat eat as many of the young plants as possible !

- - - o o o - - -