Hallin Fell

An anticlockwise circuit of Hallin Fell, looking North towards Bonscale
and Arthurs Pike across Howtown Bay

Further round and the full force of the wind hit us,
Gowbarrow Fell across the white caps on Ullswater

The unusual bridge over  Howegrain Beck at the foot of
Martindale. Still a bit of snow left on the North
slopes of Rampsgill Head

Gargrave

Bridge over the River Aire in Gargrave

The Leeds Liverpool Canal near Bank Newton

Friendly Mallard Ducks (Think they get cold feet?)

RSF ride to Dent

We met today in the square in Kirkby Lonsdale, six of us today. A cold ride expected under what looked like snowladen skies. We all expected a cold ride! After Cake/Toasted Teacake and Tea/Coffee we rode up through Old Town across the western slopes of the Lune valley.

Frozen track near Rigmaden

Crossing the Lune we took bridleways and narrow lanes past Middleton Hall. One of these had alot of ice and claimed yours truly, I went down like a ton of bricks! No real harm done thankfully.

Simeon on the Low Lane near Middleton

A short bridleway from near Holme Farm took us over into Dentdale. Chris had a puncture here, not what you need in the freezing conditions today.

Onto the open fell, Howgills in the background

All the cafes were shut in Dent, so we had lunch in the shelter adjacent to the main car park. The group split at this point, Simeon and John went back by road. The rest of us walked up Flintergill to meet the Occupation Road.

Chris at the top of Flintergill

The Occupation Road would normally be an easy ride, but today there was no time to admire the view, the track was very icy. The concentration and adrenaline certainly warmed us up

Onto the Occupation Road above Dent, Howgills again in the background

Once at the Barbondale road we made rapid progress down Barbondale, leaving the tarmac to ride the bridleway below Barbon Manor. We still had an appetite for another short bridleway on the edge of Barbon village before riding back to Kirkby Lonsdale on quiet lanes arriving back at 3pm.

Limestone Link and Leighton Moss

At least the mud's frozen!

Its been absolutely perishing today, considering I was probably never more than 50m above sea level it was as cold as I can remember. No snow while I was out though! The Limestone Link (between Arnside and Kirkby Lonsdale) runs almost past my door, so with a late start I decided to walk towards Arnside, then follow my nose.

Limestone pavement on the Limestone Link!

At Slackhead I chose to leave the path and went to have a look for Leighton Forge, (without success) then several field and woodland paths followed by a little trespassing took me into Trowbarrow quarry. A pair of Buzzards were quartering the sky as I crossed the disused quarry floor. The public hide at Leighton Moss was a welcome shelter for a brew, it was an icy scene from the hide very little birdlife. I made my way to Yealand then took field paths back to Hale and then quiet lanes back home. It was straight on with the kettle!

RSF ride to Arnside and Silverdale

Lancaster Canal at Longlands

A local Rough Stuff ride for me, so I rode down to Carnforth to the Refreshment Rooms to meet the rest of the group. The sun had been up but snow was forecast, the initial ride along the canal brought us to New England. We crossed the narrow bridge and followed the frozen lane to Borwick. Kirkgate Lane led us over towards Priest Hutton, then some road work brought us to Hilderstone. (I was nearly back home by now!)

John and Ian deciding if they should continue!
They did wet feet were the result.
The rest of us retreated!

This lane could only be descibed as "moist", some of us turned round and went round by road to Hale. Several more bridleways were ridden near Hale, before a bit more road brought us to Dollywood Lane near Leighton Beck.

Simeon on Dollywood Lane

Lunch was eaten at Arnside, as the snow finally started. A stiff climb over Arnside Knott was followed by some more tarmac to the RSPB cafe at Leighton Moss. he snow/sleet was heavier as we left to climb over the bridleway from near Crag Foot to cross Warton Crag.

Ian and John on Warton Crag.
(A poor pic, taken in the snow)

Here I said my goodbyes as I headed through the quiet lanes to Yealand and home the snow making for an interesting few miles back to Holme

Watendlath

A simple walk up one side of the valley

North from Watendlath, the mist slowly lifting

Watendlath Tarn, the mist almost gone

Then back from Watendlath back to the car (still shrouded in mist)

Dallam Park and the Fairy Steps

Fallow Deer in Dallam Park

Waking to seeing (or rather not seeing!) an all enveloping dense fog it was decided that a local walk would be wise. Parking at Beetham, we walked through Dallam Park and down to the River Bela. The resident herd of Fallow deer seemed unperturbed by our presence.
We crossed the road and followed the river until beyond the weir it meets the estuary. The tide was well out and the sand nice and firm. Our route then basically followed the old Hincaster-Arnside branch line, eventually leaving it to walk through Carr Bank and past Hazelslack Tower. From here we were able to use the path known as the "Limestone Link", climbing steadily to arrive at the Fairy Steps. We successfully ascended said steps, which are more of a challange to girth than climbing ability!

The Fairy Steps 

All downhill from here back to the car in Beetham from here, although the path through the woods again was extremely muddy, limestone should be well drained!
This completes the 300th post on the blog, I'm rather surprised I've kept it up.