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An interesting month which started with some local walks
with friends then a trip to Sheffield to visit my daughter
and family. Things didn't quite go to plan from there on and
though photos were few, I hope you can get the gist. A big
thanks to everyone from the NHS Staff to family and to Dave
who lent us a wheelchair once we got back home.
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Your
chance to have your favourite
web site pictures hanging on your wall all year round . .
. and to support a good cause. We
bring you twelve months of Loweswater pictures, Lakeland scenes,your
favourite mountain dogs and don't forget a classic view on
the front cover ! "
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It's been a strange year weather wise, with alternating days
and weeks of sunny weather then torrential downpours. All
fingers were crossed in the valley this week, as several other
local shows have either been cancelled or were very waterlogged
and muddy. A field inspection on Thursday gave everyone the
go ahead to put up the tents and prepare the ground . . .
for the 2024 Loweswater Agricultural Show.
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The second wet outing this week was to St Bees. After my
very damp but rather fun Buttermere walk, Loes arrived back
a day or so later. The sunshine that had concluded the previous
walk was short-lived and the rain returned in force a few
days later. Still Frieke and Loes seemed to enjoy the trip
out and it wasn't half as damp as the last outing.
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This and the next report, both have a common theme of the
weather. After the sunshine of Eskdale with Paula we had heavy
rain which caused minor flooding at Gatesgarth and on various
country roads round and about. This day, when the rain eased,
I took a walk at Buttermere and aim for the two bridges that
cross Buttermere Dubbs, if the water will let me.
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My daughter is in Cumbria while her youngest does her Gold
D.of.E. Expedition in The Lakes. Abi's first few days were
atrocious weather but her group came through with honours
and enjoyed a glorious, sunny, last day to finish their expedition.That
day Paula,who wasn't allowed to get involved, also fancied
a fell walk, so it's Eskdale here we come.
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les Girls is one of the valley walking groups but for today
I'm an honourary female as I've been allowed to joint the
walk, albeit for a shorter part of it. The Ladies started
down at Spooney Green Lane and and climbed to the Blencathra
Centre before walking up the valley and returning via the
Latrigg path. We joined them for the smaller, middle section.
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On the last morning of his short stay in the Lakes, Ian fancied
a walk as the weather was sunny and dry. What would be a suitable
fell for an hour or so's walk that was also conveniently close
to the start of his route home. The obvious local fell was
Sale, one he always enjoys. It overlooks the A66 and would
be very practical for Loes and I as well.
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Whilst in Harewood for a few days, Loes and I had chance
to get to Ilkley and see my brother, down to Sheffield to
see Jenna and the girls and to explore a place that Loes had
not thought about for years but which, when a post it came
up on social media, she was reminded that another visit was
long overdue . . . welcome to The Druids Temple.
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A visit to Papcastle, the village on the opposite side of
the River from the town of Cockermouth. The village is an
historic one and famous locally for its Roman Fort and archaeological
investigations in recent years, including a visit from the
"Time Team". Stan extended the walk to include the
old railway, Broughton Crags and a return on the Roman Road.
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As this was the last official walk before the summer break
and The Mob had a lengthy outing in Ennerdale last time (I
didn't go), it was thought that a little local 'Round Loweswater
Ramble' would be suitable to round off the year. The official
start point was Maggie's Bridge but I walked from home. Loes
would join us all later.
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Hot on the heels of their honeymoon, Jack and Catherine had
planned this visit to ourselves in Loweswater and they were
able to bring their friends Mark and Sam along to enjoy the
fells. Three walks for them, two for us over the duration
of their stay.The weather was kind and the camping pod came
into its own as a bedroom for the guests.
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A few pictures, perhaps slightly more due to the unusual
nature of the walk and the surprises I found along the way.
Loes, Lill and I take a walk into the rather hidden end of
the valley beyond the top of Loweswater, passing a farm with
an apple name and a farm where they grow apples, then return
by the old mountain track back towards Askhill.
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Some days you just have to visit the big city and today was
one of those days. The car needed a quick MOT Test and an
early start would mean an early return to walk the dogs in
the afternoon, or even late morning with a bit of luck. A
quiet walk today, too early for the majority of Keswick visitors
who had not even started to venture out.
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The weather has come up trumps for our local Village Social
Club Sumner outing. The Loweswater 77 Club (started in 1977,
not our average ages) hired a coach and we set off to the
South Lakes. We had a three part ticket for three venues all
within easy reach of each other. Lunch at midday and the sunny
weather made it a day out to remember.
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Living next to the road we see all sorts of folk going past,
but it's not everyday that the view is so full of activity.
Today was one of those exceptional days as it was the annual
Buttermere Horseshoe Fell Race. The activity and the day inspired
me to forgo the gardening jobs in favour of a local walk in
the sunshine for Dougal and myself.
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Just back from holiday and we're off south again, this time
for the family wedding of my eldest grandson. Jack and Catherine
have been together for some time and have bought a house in
Harbourne in Birmingham, so it's off to Edgebaston for two
nights to celebrate the event in classic style.
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Lakeland walking takes a back seat as Loes
and I go on an European Holiday . . . She wanted to visit
Vienna and I knew someone out there whom we could visit. She's
not over keen on flying and I've never done the Channel Tunnel
so our method of transport was decided . . . now to just to
plan a route and all the various stops along the way.
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When visitors stay then the fells around always catch the
eye and catch the imagination. Low Fell to the north of the
cottage is no exception, perhaps because it sounds an easy
walk, but don't be confused, it provides three hours of variety
and today some harder work due to the forestry and ferns.
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A local walk once again as Hilton, who's staying here in
Loweswater house sitting and dog sitting while we head off
on holiday to Europe. Before he goes we manage a few days
and a few walks together. He's visited but not walked round
Loweswater, so today was the opportunity to put that right.
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You've no doubt heard of Park and Ride, well this is a Park,Walk
and Ride using local transport to fetch us back from a great
linear walk alongside the river in Eskdale. The walk was part
of the Eskdale Trail but our knowledge of the route pre-dates
the creation of this way-marked walking and cycling route
along one of the prettiest of the west coast valleys.
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Remember that night in May that surprised
us with its beauty, when the Sun's cosmic rays flooded the
northern hemisphere and gave us a light show like no other
? A trip to Finland was a holiday Ann and I had to cancel
a few years ago, but here was a display of the Aurora at home
in the Loweswater fells without the need to travel any distance
at all.
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Loweswater is blessed by a busy social life, chiefly due
to the many clubs and societies based here in the valley.
One of those is the Gardening Club who organise a summer program
of visits to notable local gardens. Today we drive a little
further and enjoy the gardens and grounds of Hutton House
near Penrith.
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A trip to enjoy the bluebell display at Rannerdale Valley
is a must each year, but the right date to catch them at their
best is always difficult to judge. This year was no exception
and with a wet and cold spring our first visit was far too
early, but our second ten days later was spot on.
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There's a tradition in many parts of the UK to have Scarecrow
Festivals where a village gets together to decorate their
homes and gardens with scarecrows and make-believe models.
Dean Village led the way and organised a weekend of events
covering the four neighbouring hamlets.
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A beautiful day today and we have the opportunity to walk
with a friend out onto St Bees Head. With the weather
as it is we'll get great views, but being April the bird sightings
nay not be at their peak. Still, we'll introduce Lill
to the beauties that we can find.
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Crosthwaite Church stands on High Hill on the northern outskirts
of Keswick. The Lorton and Derwent Fells Local History
Society have organised a guided walk here today, so Loes and
I take the opportunity to go along and learn more about the
Church.
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The day dawned bright and sunny and we felt that with an
early start we should be able to get somewhere more unusual
today. Loes had a yearning to get back to the west coast
so it was into the car, drive west and south to Ravenglass
and up towards Muncaster Fell.
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Monday morning bright and early, well 9am which is early
for us. We are in Lorton at the invitation of Debbie
George, who's over here on holiday from Canada. She mentioned
that she was going to climb Lorton's Kirk Fell today, so Loes
and I tagged along.
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The Mob are out again, this time on an 'A' walk, so designated
due to the length, height gain and effort required to complete
the round. Eight of our group gathered at Mungrisdale to try
for a rather different route up a classic fell.
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On our way back from Harewood, after visiting Jenna and young
Sophie, we took our time and headed back to Cumbria via the
Dales. Rather than take the A65 from Skipton all the
way to the M6 we diverted north through Settle, Horton in
Ribblesdale and Dent.
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Family milestones once again with two big events for Jenna
and Matt. The first is Jenna's "Life begins at
the 40" birthday and the second where life really does
begin for Sophie, when Jenna gives birth to her second child,
my tenth grandchild from my four children.
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The plan for today was to walk High Seat via Watendlath,
a walk that I had reconnoitered two weeks ago. With stunning
weather that day, today's walk would probably not be as good
but I didn't expect "Storm Kathleen" to come crashing
through. Time for a quick re-think.
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When Loes suggested this walk, my first thoughts were the
same as yours probably, but then I had heard of others that
had walked here and thought, why not, it's a fine day and
probably the best time to visit this less than salubrious
place . . . how different it all turned out !
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The Cockermouth Striders are out again, under the leadership
of Stan and Frances Leigh. the route today took us alongside
Thirlmere and back under Helvellyn on the path above the aqueduct.
Stan's walks are often full of history, and today was no exception.
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A grand day in prospect and also a walk with a purpose. I
stuck my head over the parapet recently and got volunteered
to lead a Mob Walk up here in two weeks time so I thought
I had better go along and see what the new path conditions
were like.
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There's been a lot of felling of timber in Holme Wood in
the last year due to Larch disease. As a consequence there
are gaps in the woodland that need replanting to maintain
the woods for the future. Today I received an invitation to
help on a Community Planting Day.
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The fine weather takes us out of the valley and over to Keswick,
where we park at Spooney Green Lane for a walk towards Latrigg.
For a change we head off right, into the woods, on a gradually
climbing path along the side of the fell on a new route for
us.
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The big cities of the land have special events to draw the
crowds and entertain the masses. Today the village of
St Bees was punching above its weight when the Priory was
host to a light show to rival the best.
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An easier walk with not too much climbing was required for
Loes and Dylan, so I let her pick a location and a route.
Honister would be great as she could walk in the view of the
snow, but little did we expect to climb up the mine track
all the way to above the snow line.
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A morning walk around the valley with both dogs, but the
snow covered fells looked so inviting I headed out again after
lunch for a simple ascent of Whiteside from the valley.
Carrying the smallest of packs plus microspikes and we were
off.
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With snow blanketing the high fells and the sun shining beautifully,
it was time to head up the valley to enjoy the spectacle.
With a slightly poorly dog and a companion with a slight limp
too, we stay low and headed off round the lake.
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Spring has sprung in Loweswater and the world is a little
more colourful. These are a few of the photos taken
of the local flowers in recent days. I've included photos
from a trip over to Ennerdale where we walk the old Smithy
Beck Trail, much changed in recent times.
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Some days we head to the hills and other to the coast.
Today the forecast was better in the Silloth area north of
Maryport so a gentle stroll along the foreshore from the Lifeboat
House to the old lighthouse and back for a cuppa in Mrs Wilson's
would suit the day well.
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A walk can be great for many reasons, height, length, scenery,
a surprise along the way and today fell into that latter category.
We set off on a reasonably level walk along a railway cycle
path and ended up with a tour through the industrial past
of the Rowrah area.
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A great walk which Peter and I did twice in a week. Peter
was leading the walk for the Mockerkin Mob group, so wanted
to 'recce' the walk the weekend before. The second version
was anti-clock wise, which made sorting the photos rather
more difficult !
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An extended walk over to and along the Catbells Terrace path,
returning via the lakeside including passing Lingholm for
the second time on the way back. We didn't take lunch
so a slight diversion at the end was an added climax to the
walk on this beautiful day.
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Waited in for the boiler man to service the heating just
to find it had a fault and he had to come back the following
day. I therefore had the chance to head out on a local
walk after lunch. Haven't walked to to Stanger for several
years . . . time to do it again.
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There we were, laying the table for breakfast after a leisurely
morning lie in and the phone rang. Were we free to join
in on a walk up Mellbreak in half an hour's time . After a
quick breakfast we set off from home for this walk with the
extended Archbold Family.
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Technically Burns Night is celebrated on the 25th of January,
but that doesn't stop Loweswater 77 Club making an early start
this year. Tuesday was the convenient day for us to
celebrate the Scottish Bard, very close to Rabbie Burn's official
birthday.
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Another glorious winter day with brilliant sunshine and a
cold feel to the air. The snow of last weekend still
survives on the tops but has turned icy in the below zero
temperatures of the last few days. Dougal joins me on
an afternoon walk up my local fell.
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A week of changeable weather as we wait for the forecasted
snow. The high pressure brings cold dry winter days
which are a delight but it won't last. This is a selection
of very different walks and weather which had characterised
this week in Loweswater.
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The local village walking group is out again and the weather
has come up trumps considering that the walk was planned two
weeks ago. An 'A' walk up Lad Hows to the summit of
Grasmoor is planned and at over 2,750 feet high, it
should give us great views.
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The first day of predicted fine weather arrives on cue and
Loes and I head up to Buttermere to enjoy the views.
A Long How walk to Crummock Water hardly seemed enough, so
we added a stroll to Buttermere (lake) and the Spindle Tree
before it was time for lunch.
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