High Dam and more

We started the day with a grey morning and fairy dust in the air. We set of to visit High Dam above Finsthwaite. 
We parked alongside the railway at Newby Bridge starting walking up Waterside Knott

On top of Waterside Knott there is a monument called Finsthwaite Tower

A memorial commemorating naval victories in the 1700 can you imagine the conversation between the builder and the person commissioning it. 
'So you want to build a memorial to commemorating Naval Victories'
'Yes'
'Um can you see the sea from the top' 
'No but there is a lovely view up Windermere!' 

The woodland is managed by The Woodlands Trust and they are trying to bring back native woodland

Sam and Nelly in the frame

Putting Tom in the frame

 The woodland was originally planted to support the nearby Stott Park Bobbin Mill the following two installations commemorate this  

 At the bottom of the hill is the welcome sign

But we approached it from this side

I thought it was fun

Across the field was the village of Finsthwaite

From Finsthwaite we worked our way up hill to High Dam

On the way back to the car the clouds lifted from the fells in the north to reveal the snow

 The river Leven has a very attractive wear despite the snow filled air

We lunched in The Crown in High Newton then  Mark asked if we could go to Gummers Howe to get some views of the higher fells. As we arrived the clouds cleared from the Coniston Fells showing off today's sugar coating.

  

On Gummers Howe the fairy dust showed its-self again

And to end the day we where treated to this in Kendal!!!

Fairy Steps and Peel Towers

So today we went for a walk near Betham at the request of Mark who wanted to go there again and also myself as Sam had said in October she must take me to the 'Fairy Steps'. 
The route started up through a lovely woodland smothered in snowdrops.

Then we came across this fissure in the rocks supposedly part of the old coffin route from Arnside to Betham, though personally I cant see anyone trying to carry a coffin up theses steps!!

Looking down Fairy Steps

Looking up Fairy Steps

I think the steps were added in the Victorian era to make it more interesting.

Of course I was attracted by some fungi even in spring they appear!

Getting back to the road we came across this Lime Kiln restored with Heritage Lottery money 

Close ups of the board follow

Just realised  I mentioned Nelly earlier in these blogs but have not included a photo yet so here goes she is the one in the blue coat

We lunched in The Weatsheaf in Betham this is a pub we used in October it has changed hands and the new owners have made a lot of changes to the building including buying in American beers from Goose Brewery, but they still stock Coniston Blue Bird and today had Bowness Brewery Black Swan. After a good lunch we moved on to Arndale for a walk on the Knott an area mentioned in the latest National Trust magazine. Parking on the road we had a good view of Arnside Tower more latter.

From the top of the Knott we had a good view over the Kent estuary to Hampsfell and Grange a bit misty but can you see the Hospice??

The Kent Viaduct caries the railway

Having dropped of the Knott we came across these sheep with their lambs

From the sheep we walked down to the road then round through a caravan park finally reaching Arnside Tower a Peel Tower or fortified tower house.