Thursday, 15 March 2018

Hampsfell and The Hospice at Grange

Ten years ago when I first visited the family in Keswick I bought a book of walks in The Southern Lake District. So far we have only done two of the walks in it, today we did a third, number 58!!
Starting in the car park Eggerslack Wood




a gorgeously damp and moss covered woodland on the steep hillside which also contains four water pits that used to be the reservoir for the town of Grange, the woodland gave way to another moonscape of limestone pavement with scattered trees and course grass






On the top of the hill is a building known as The Hospice a place that provides shelter to walkers on this bleak wind swept hill 



which contains a surprising bit of culture with a Greek inscription over the door and inside poetry:









Sadly the last notice has not been followed by some visitors. 
On the roof is a sighting device with a list of well know hills and villages and their bearings.

Despite the howling gale it was a bit misty so I have not done  a full panorama from here


Kent estuary and Arnside 




Leaving the Hospice we walked along the ridge keeping Nelly on a short lease because of the sheep, we past two stone cairns which appear to have spread over the years 

Silverdale and the mud flats at Layton Moss


Cartmel

From the ridge there was a good view of the village of Cartmel showing just how large the priory church is for such a small village.

We worked our way back to Grange ending up in the Ornamental Gardens were we ran into one of the 'duck keeper' and found out that the larger of unidentified ducks from Monday is supposed to be a Ruddy Shelduck but he agreed that there is something not quite right with it!!! The smaller duck is a Ringed Teal.



Wednesday, 14 March 2018

Malham

So Sammy chose today's destination and went for Malham because last time Mark was up with Steve and I we had taken her dog Asher there and now she has Nellie she wanted to show her new dog the area. 
to get there we left Malham Village and walked toward Janet's Foss and Gordale Scare


Snow on the hill top







Janets Foss


Janet.s Cave




Spot the dipper

From Janets Foss we walked up the ever striking valley into the mouth of to Goredale Scar the river tumbling down the valley gives you a hint of a waterfall but not of the sudden stop to the valley! The footpath is shown on the map continuing up the valley and on to Malham Tarn but......


spot the footpath
we didn't think it was worth trying!!!

Steve Chris and Mark


from the waterfall we retraced our steps as almost all people do and turned right toward Malhm Cove itself. There are some fascinating earth works all across this landscape remnants of old settlements and field systems.

Malham Cove 

View downed the valley showing field systems


Malham top left



Local residents
Mark receives birthday greetings from his wife!

Malham Cove from the base
Thanks to Steve for some of these photos .





Tuesday, 13 March 2018

Cartmel and Grange

So we set out with the idea of going to Haverthwaite having coffee in the station cafe then taking a, all be it damp, walk. Finding the coffee shop closed Chris decided we should go to Grange which has many coffee shops, Sammy asked if we could call at Cartmel, 'The home of sticky toffee pudding' as she hadn't been there!!!

Before we got to the Sticky Toffee Pudding shop we visited Cartmel Priory there is a very attractive reredos and choir stalls and some interesting statues in and around the building.












Sheep in the grave yard

After visiting the priory we went for lunch then walked along the stream


and after that walked past this interesting sign


From Cartmel we drove to Grange and walked round the ornamental gardens and along the promenade, yes it was wet but very enjoyable. In the gardens we saw this amazing swirly tree.



and if anyone can identify these wildfowl for me


Thanks to Steve for some of the photos