Happy New Year

  I won't bore to many folk I hope, but take this opportunity to thank all those who pass this way. Your kind comments are gratefully appreciated. Here's to 2014 and another year of outdoor adventures on two legs and two wheels.

This photo was published on the blog back in May. I make no apology for including it again here, this was my most enjoyable day in the outdoors this year.
 I shall remember the flowing trails and awesome views of both the Achnashellach and Torridon Hills. 

Deepdale Horseshoe

Out today in the Lakes with @ianwood2011 from Deepdale Bridge in Patterdale. This is a great circuit.

Climbing to the ridge as the early morning sunlight falls on the flanks of  Gavel Pike and Birks.

Gaining height the view behind was filled with Place Fell and Angletarn Pikes

Once on the ridge proper we were hit by several sleet/hail showers.

Looking back along the ridge from the summit of Hartsop Above How, Deepdale down on our left as we look from here

The ridge continues to gain the trade route , Fairfield Horseshoe at Hart Crag. Here Windermere was lit up and shone like a mirror.

Once on Fairfield, Cofa Pike and St Sunday Crag grabbed our attention. The summit was heavily verglassed and the descent to Cofa Pike was tricky to say the least.

Once at the foot of Cofa Pike we had lunch, distracted by the view above!

Lunch eaten it was on to St Sunday Crag the uphill was welcome to warm us up! The view in back to Fairfield, Cofa Pike and Grisedale Tarn was excellent.

The summit Of St Sunday Crag soon came as we chatted on the easy slopes. The final couple of hundred metres again very icy. Above we see the Helvellyn range from Dollywagon Pike to Raise.

Our descent route was over Gavel Pike and Lords Seat, here Ian looks down to Deepdale and on to BridgeEnd

Northeast from Lords Seat looking over Birks to Ullswater and Place Fell.

Boxing Day Stroll

Just a short stroll today beside Derwentwater, the fresh air was welcome after the excess's of Christmas Day. Derwentwater was still high after the recent storms, the lakeside path under water in several places requiring detours.

Christmas Greetings

Here's to a great winter's walking....not much sign of it yet here in the Lakes tho!
Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Stormy Ride to the Coast

A late start after a couple of hours at work, mind it was just as well the South Lakes was taking a battering from the wind and rain since the early hours. Things started to look a bit better by 11ish, and I knew the expected high tide would be about noon, so off I wobbled to Arnside and the coast. I rode through sheltered lanes, but even so progress was very difficult. Arnside was taking a real battering the waves were over the stone jetty, salt spray heavy in the air....my camera stayed tucked away. I then rode North towards St Johns Cross and Sandside.

Here at St Johns Cross the sea was well across the road, and so started the first of many detours.

Here at Storth the Arnside to Milnthorpe road was I guess approx 4ft underwater. Even the detour from here to Milnthorpe along the old quarry road was impassable.

The Kent estuary looking very full! Whitbarrow Scar and the Lakes hills beyond.

In the grounds of Dallam Tower the River Bela had burst its banks and another detour required.
Whilst the pictures look dramatic you've got to feel for anyone inundated by the flood water, today it was all to clear how powerful the sea can be even here in a relatively sheltered estuary.

Torver to Coniston (and Back!)

Recently there has been a fair bit of publicity locally about the construction of  a footpath/cyclepath on the bed of the old railway from Torver to Coniston. Today we parked at Torver to put the claims to the test... sadly I feel a great opportunity has been missed! After only half a mile the railway bed is left, the path basically following the road as a glorified pavement, a great shame. Anyway it certainly didn't spoil our wander.

All good so far a well constructed slate chipped path heading towards Coniston.

After out walk beside the road we get back on the line of the old railway. Sadly here we look back along the section of railway bed which for some reason the public can't walk. Why??

In the overgrown cutting above the "Ship Inn" .My Father and paternal Grandparents knew the Foxfield to Coniston railway well as they used it to travel back to their home just outside the village. My maternal Great-Grandmother also arrived in the area on the line as a 13 year old girl to work in service for a wealthy family at their home near the village.

Looking South down Coniston Waterfrom the jetty near the "Bluebird" cafe. (Very good Hot Chocolate!)

Our return route was back through Coniston Old Hall and along the Cumbria Way.

Eventually we had to leave the lake behind, and as the light faded we walked back to the car past Hoathwaite Farm.