Just a dog walk today, but my local dog walks aren't normally this long.

I set off thinking it was cold and damp and came home some time later thinking that it wasn't such a bad day after all.

My route was decided as I went along, choosing paths I had not done before or going for combinations that were new.

The 25th of Feb morning found snow on the high fells after a night of rain and low temperatures in the valley.

After lunch it was time to walk the dogs . . .they don't seem to mind where they go but I sometimes do.

Where local could I go that would be interesting and, if possible, different from normal ?

I'll make a start at the red phone box of course . . . that saves using the car at least.

To give you a clue, I'll set off towards Foulsyke.

A quick picture like this means I've not planned anything in advance !

Ahead is Foulsyke House nestling under Low Fell.

I think I'll head up to the Matterhorn Rock which is on the 1000 ft contour on the left hand flank of the fell.

Between the first two fields I see some new earthworks in the adjacent field.

There's a plan to build another wildlife pond just downstream of the old fish pond on this side of the wall.

These are the sort of thing being built in co-operation of the West Cumbrian Rivers Trust.

These two pools were  part of a group of four built here last year, in the damp ground behind Foulsyke and Wood End Houses.

I've climbed above Whinney Ridding Woods and heading for the footpath

that traverses round from the Lonesome Pine further around the fell.

First sight of the Matterhorn Rock seen on the level ground on the left.

However my priorities change when I look at the southern end of Low Fell.

I realised that I very rarely climb up to the upper viewpoint and have never climbed any path directly up alongside the fence line.

That means a steep climb and I knuckle down into exerting some energy.

I leave the fence line and strike out for the top.

Two walkers climbed up the steep path from Pottergill and head for the true top of Low Fell.

Locally here I pass a small dry stone wall which must act as a shelter wall for the upland sheep, before climbing the last few feet to my summit.

The Matterhorn Rock below is found on the 1000 ft contour,

the snow line across the way sits nearer the 2000 foot height line on the distant fells.

We sit briefly at the southern viewpoint, having arrived at a popular spot but by a different route.

I walk the short distance to the highpoint of this end of Low Fell.

From here we get a good view of Loweswater and perfect view of the Loweswater Pheasant.

Hold your cursor over the photo to see the outline (may not work on some computers, sorry).

From the top I pass on a walk over to the Low Fell top,

in favour of a circular route down and around to the southern end of Low Fell to my original walk target.

This will take me down to the Crabtree Beck Valley where there are unusual white bags and guys dragging them about by hand . . . interesting !

The guys are probably planting trees but they are too far away to be certain . . . I'll try and find out what's happening.

Meanwhile I head downstream between Low Fell and Darling Fell, with the view of Carling Knott dominating the distance.

The beck enters the woods but I break off left for a short climb back up to that illusive 1000 ft contour.

The original idea for the walk has materialised, probably a good 40 minutes later than planned.

The dogs need little encouragement to clamber up for their photo !

The sunshine on Loweswater is strong enough to make the lake's surface shine.

However the breeze is still rather cold and damp as the wind blows off the high fells.

The big square house is the Loweswater Vicarage, down on the valley road . . .

. . . and you can see my house from here, all achieved without any road miles !

[ You can also get an idea of the rainfall we've had recently by the size of "Puffin Tarn" that has gathered in the field beyond.]

- - - o o o - - -   The track from the pine, contouring along part way up the fell, towards Thackthwaite. Soon I cross by another new fence with the same plaque.   They've built a solid stile on the fence line, complete with dog gate. Thanks very much from me and them.   - - - o o o - - -

The footpath joins the public right of way down from Low Fell

and we quickly end up at the old Pottergill Farm, now a ruin on the side of the fell.

A track from Whinny Ridings Wood will be reversed to provide a simple route home.

A quick repair to the stile and fence here has sadly discontinued the nice lift-up dog gate,

but the old swing wire-mesh flap alongside it is still working and does an equally good job at letting the dogs through.

Wood End House, seen through the trees.

The round house alongside it was the old tennis pavilion of Foulsyke House

and Wood End, once called Hemplingston, sits on what was at one time the old tennis courts.

Back to the wildlife ponds

and that means the dogs and I have completed, not the full circle but a full 'figure of eight' route.

Before he reaches the fence I have time to change to the bigger lens

and catch this picture of an alternative Loweswater Pheasant before the walk ends.

- - - o o o - - -

Just one picture from the following day after some heavy overnight rain . . .

The weather is on the turn, the snow is gone and the sun begins to shine again !

Click here or on the single photo above for a 360 degree annotated panorama from my subsequent Scale Hill local walk.