Lake District 15 October 13

What a glorious day though it was a bit over cast at times. We decided to walk from Troutbeck to Ambleside, a lovely walk that gives great views across Windermere. We parked the car in a little lay-by just beyond the National Trust property of Townend and walked up the unmade track that opened up the views of the lake 

The route took us across the back of Holbeck Ghyll to high Skelghyll around Jenkins Crag  through the lower part of Skeghyll Woods and on to Ambleside

Looking toward Lakeside

I was intrigued by the hinge on this gate  

I was intrigued by the hinge on this gate  

That is extreme dry stone walling!

I liked the way they had incorporated this outcrop in the wall

The long and winding road!

The great thing about this walk is that with Ambleside in the middle of the route we could find somewhere to  buy lunch part way round. Strange we could not find the lovely little 'Walkers cafe that Steve and I used the first time we visited Ambleside six years ago, are we looking in the wrong place or has it closed?? We eventually lunched in Walnut  fish and chip shop where Asher played his usual staring role! Why is it that people find this Greyhound so adorable??

After lunch we had a decision to make. Do we head back the way we had come or go over Wansell Pike? The decision was made to tackle the Pike and we set of visiting Stockghyll Force on route. We walked through the remnant of a Victorian pleasure ground running up the side of the stream to the 'Force' its self complete with the original 'Revolving Gate' entrance at the top!

Money tree at Stockghyll

Stockghyll Force

I was interested by how this beech is rooted
in the rotten stump of another tree

Asher and Chris and the wrought iron fence support

The tree tries to protect itself from the iron!

The revolving gate

Then we struck out to walk up the 482 metre pike - I didn't realise how steep the Ambleside face of this hill would turn out to be!!! On reaching the saddle of the hill Steve and I took a breather whilst Mark & Chris climbed to the very top. Then it was down hill all the way, the clouds had thickened by then and although it did not rain the views did not really lend themselves to photographs.

Looking to Lakeside from Wansell Pike

Blatham Tarn and Wray Castle from Wansell Pike

Which idiot decide we should go up Wansell Pike?

Guilty as Charged!

And of course the ubiquitous fungi!! 

14th October 13

Quieter day to day went over to Walney Island Barrow in Furnace, to visit a friend who has just moved into a new home there. Did manage a short walk up the channel between the island and Barrow to do a bit of bird watching though it was quiet:
Black Headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Redshank, Curlew, Oustercatcher, Cormorant, Crow, Raven, House Sparrow, and a lot of very noisy but invisible birds in the bushes. 

Sorry no photos it was a bit dull today.

The Lake District 13th October 13

Hi Folks
Another visit to the Lake District!
Our first walk of the week this time in Borrowdale, we started in Rosthwaite walking up the river toward Derwent Water then cut round the back of Castle Crag.

Hills above Rosthwaite

Almost blue sky

Looking down to Derwent Water Castle Crag on the right

Hawthorn growing out of the wall supporting the footpath

A short uneventful walk until I lost my footing crossing the stream and fell in knocking my head on a stone.

The stream that decided to eat me!

Amazingly other than a mild headache I have no injuries and actually did not get very wet either. On route back to car we stopped for a cup of tea at this cafe couldn't resist taking a photo of the sign.

A short trip down Borrowdale we stopped to have a look at the Bowder Stone

Now following last years October visit her are some of the fungi we spotted on the way.

Khushi Does Bollywood

 
I don't normally post any thing if I'm not on holiday but as Saturday 29th July was such an amazing day here goes I hope this works.A video of the event can be seen by clicking Khushi Does Bollywood

More info regarding Khushi feet can be found here khushifeet.org.uk

Birding list Lakes June 2013

Ok so its a couple of days late but here's a list of what I remember we saw over the week, including the journey.

Pied Wagtail;

Grey Wagtail;

Ouster Catcher;

Swallow;

House Martin;

Swift;

Pied Flycatcher;

Robin;

Blackbird;

Wood Pigeon;

Jackdaw;

Crow;

Magpie;

Raven;

Buzzard;

House Sparrow;

Song Thrush;

Wren;

Collard Dove;

Red Kite;

Chaffinch;

Blue Tit;

Mallard;

Dipper

Goosander

Grey Heron;

Cormorant;

Mute Swan

Grey Lag Geese

Canada Geese;

Tufted Duck;

Herring Gull ;

Black headed Gull;

Black Backed Gull;

Kestrel;

Peregrine Falcon;

June 15th Coniston Water and Little Langdale

The weather forecast for the southern lakes was passable today but with the Great lakes Swim at WIndermere we decided to go to Coniston for the day.

Lyth Valley looking to Morecambe Bay

A cross country route took us across the Lyth Valley and down to Newby Bridge past Gummer How  then through some narrow lanes to the eastern side of Conniston Water.

Gummer How

Windermere from Gummer How Car Park

 A coffee and cake break was taken at Jumping Jennys a tea rooms at Brantwood House named after Ruskins sailing boat. 

Old Man of Conniston from Jumping Jenny's

We then drove into Coniston Village intending to have a look at Blue Bird K7 at the Ruskin Museum unfortunately the boat is not currently on display as it is undergoing restoration. From Coniston we drove up to Tilberthwaite  to park up and walk to Little Langdale. On route we past some locals who reminded me of my youngest sons.

Harrison Stickle

Horse & Rolling Grag Wrynose Fell

Looking at Lingmoor Fell across Little Langdale Tarn

Reaching Little Langdale we decided we needed some refreshment so had to stop at The Three Shires and sample the local hospitality

Three Shires Inn 

Heading back to Tilberthwaite we decided to take a different route which would involve a ford, fortunately when we arrived at the river there was actually a bridge to help us cross with dry feet. The path ran up through the old slate workings which gave an opportunity to photograph the rock formations.

The slate mine spoil heap as big as some of the smaller fells.

Looking down Tilberthwaite to Coniston Moor