A Short Stroll Under Hawse End

A better than forecast day, found us in Keswick with a few jobs to do. With the day improving an the sky starting to turn blue we decided to have a stroll through the woodland on the Cumbria Way to Hawse End and beyond.

Sunlight shining through the leafless trees to the Cumbria Way

The wood carving below Hawse End survives, although its starting to show its age.

Back along the shore of Derwentwater, Blencathra in the distance still under dark skies

Further on and Skiddaw dominates the view, with today's dusting of snow. 

Back much the same way we came passing this magnificent old Oak tree.

A Circuit of Buttermere

Best days weather of the year so far? Certainly the best of my days off. A long slow drive up through the Lakes from Kendal, eventually we arrived in Buttermere. A grand walk was had on this classic ramble round the lake...here's a couple of photo's....

Hairy Coo's at the foot of Scarth Gap..not one of them moved an inch!

Warnscale Bottom and Fleetwith Pike

Looking towards Buttermere from Peggy's Bridge

Fleetwith Pike

Back to the car along the East shore through the wonderful mature woodland.

A Circuit of Stocks Reservoir in Bowland

A great walk today, P very chuffed and rightfully so. 8 miles the furthest she's walked since her knee replacement. This is a good circuit, much quieter than similar routes in the lakes. Parking's cheaper as well!! We choose to walk widdershins....

This is the curiously named "Lock Bridge", the old track climbs from here to reach..

The derelict farmstead of Newhouse Farm, other than a few walls and gatestoops this building is all that remains.

A well defined track descends to the River Hodder and the relatively new footbridge.

Once across the river the path climbs to another ruined farm this one is Collyhome Farm. The view is back to Newhouse Farm.

A bit more climbing brings you to what would have been a very wet section, Fortunately its received some flagging...I thought I was on the Pennine Way for a moment!

Beyond the flag's you follow the remains of a light railway, built during construction of the dam in the 1920's.

The old rail bed leads to the fishing lodge. Although it was the first day of the trout season I believe, it was very choppy for the anglers braving the conditions.

This was built as offices for the Fylde Water Board, it is now flats...and very nice to.

The draw tower from the dam, looking back across the reservoir.

Open fields and then a little bit of newly felled woodland led us back to the car, a final look back across Stocks Reservoir.
A highly recommended amble.

Rough Stuff Fellowship ride to Longsleddle...Kentmere and Garburn Pass

My turn to lead today's ride from Wilf's Cafe in Staveley. As I arrived at the Wilf's I was surprised to find 100's of  folk on mountain bikes...wow I thought word has spread fast about the quality of my rides! Then I realised that it was a demo day!..Hey ho there was still 5 of us on the ride, and it's quality not quantity of course.
So after a quick brew we were off up to Elf Howe...I'll let the photo's tell the story from here

Arriving at the top of the Elf Howe track, it was time to shed a layer before continuing to Park House and the next track.

The track over Staveley Head Fell was "moist"..to say the least!

Dave had ridden up from Dalton-in-Furness on his Disc trucker...Respect!!

The descent off the boggy upland gives way to a gravel track and views along Longsleddle open up.

Once in the valley we cycled towards Tills Hole Farm, easy going generally.

Arriving at Sadgill we stopped for a buttie stop, rather pleasent sat in the sun.

Then it was up and over Stile End, its recently been repaired...still not rideable tho'..at least by me!

Surely 2 of the most photographed barns in the Lakes!?
As we reached the end of the Stile End track Adam and I said our goodbyes to Amanda, Jeff and Dave. They took the valley road back to Staveley, Adam and I decided to do a few more tracks as the day was still young.

So it was Garburn Pass first, very little of the east side is rideable. But the sun was out and what better way to spend the afternoon.

The hike-a-bike is never as bad as you think, soon we were over the summit of the pass and the views to the fells in the West were great.

The West side of the pass has been repaired and makes an excellent descent. Although it's hard to concentrate with the scenery this good.

The track levels out below Applethwaite Quarry, the gate hereabouts gives you an opportunity to check out the head of  the Troutbeck Valley. We then rode down the Dubbs track to reach the Moor Howe road. A short section of  tarmac led to High Borrans and more bridleways :-)

These are easy graded tracks, which was as well because it was now quite warm.
Spring it would seem had sprung!

This old Ash has taken a battering, from this gate it was almost all downhill.

Instead of taking the tarmac down Brow Head Lane into Kentmere we continued over to Hugill Hall and Raw Ghyll, before dropping down to the A591 and riding the cyclepath back to Wilf's for a Coffee sat outside in the sun.
A great day, good company, good weather and great tracks.

Giggleswick Scar

Today's short ramble was dominated by an incredibly cold  and strong wind, considering the low altitude it was hard to believe. We parked at the top of Buck Haw Brow just West of Giggleswick and followed the bridleway over to Feizor. At least for the next leg the wind was behind us.

Looking back to a wintery Ingleborough form the bridleway above Feizor

As we descended towards Ribblesdale the distant view included Pen-y Ghent.

We came across this man made dewpond above Stackhouse.

P sensibly sheltering from the wind behind the cairn on the highpoint of Giggleswick Scar. We then beat a hasty retreat to the car via Kilnsey Cave.
Hot Chocolate at "The Naked Man" cafe in Settle beckoned!

Tilbirthwaite in the Wind and Wet!

After a windy ride first thing on the road bike, we decided to have a stroll round the sheltered environs of Tilbirthwaite. When we got out of the car it certainly wasn't sheltered! I nearly got back in!! Once togged up it wasn't to bad, but not ideal for taking pics...apologies for those below in advance! Purely a record of my doings for myself....

Lots of Catkins now...these are out of focus!

Looking back North along the Tilbirthwaite valley, with the weather closing in. The ground is very wet!

There's always one......

We saw lots of water today...indeed shortly after this things became decidedly moist, and the camera was put away. Always good to be out though.