Last of the Autumn Colours in the Lowther Valley

A really beautiful day, we've barely seen the sun up here for ages!....It's grim Up North!!
This is another walk we've done many times, it's one of P's favourites. Not very far, and mainly on the level which is kind to poorly knee joints. We parked in Askham  and wandered up the valley.

Beside the River Lowther near Crookwath bridge

Further on looking upstream from the footbridge below Whale

Back through Lowther Park with the trees showing the last of their Autumn colours

Almost back at the car, we lingered in the warm afternoon sun at Askham Bridge. Just a short walk up through the village stopping for coffee on the way.
Lets hope there are lots more sunny days in the near future :-)

Out With Old Mate Tim For a Days Mountainbiking

Tim and I have been trying to get out for a day on the Mountain Bikes for almost 6 months. Today was the day! We parked near Force Mills, the weather almost perfect. We headed South on varius bridleways towards Rusland, visiting the ford at Rusland Pool. I didn't take many pics...we were to busy chatting about adventures we'd had 40 years ago on these same trails! Here's one or to anyway...

This is a vehicle trap!!  "Get me out says Fatty!"
The idea being that no vehicles should use the ford at this time of year to help the fish.
We had no intention of crossing anyway, and turned and continued our route.
We climbed up to High Ickenthwaite and over to Nibthwaite. The Parkamoor Road was next...

Here as we climbed up the old track the views over to the Coniston Fells was excellent.

After lunch just South of Parkamoor, we continued on the bridleway high above Coniston Water.
This is one of the best viewpoints I know of the Coniston Fells (its above Heald Brow)
From here we dropped down to Bank Ground, before climbing back over Grizedale Moor.
A bit of "North Face Trail" led us back to Grizedale, then more bridleways back to the car.  

Back at the car and bike washed...Fatty was tired I think, had to sit down!
We'd had a great day, in great weather!
Thanks Tim! :-))
Should anyone want to follow our route, the Strava track is here 

A Bit of a Hike...Followed By a Bit of Bike

Finding myself free for the day at short notice and with the weather looking superb, I decided on a walk first then a ride on the bike later. Having parked on the top of Kirkstone I headed east.....

Once on St. Ravens Edge the way forward is laid out before you, together with a grand view down towards Patterdale.

As the path dips to the head of Woundale there were a number of bags of rocks...looks like the path is going to be repaired.

I had lunch here sheltering behind the wall from the stiff breeze.
The Southern reaches of Windermere is visible in the distance.

The summit of Caudale Moor. The Helvellyn range seen to the left of the cairn.

I then crossed over some very wet ground (its done nowt but rain for ages!)to Stoney Cove Pike.
As a lad I knew all this area as "John Bells Banner"....it was what my Grandad called it!!
I reversed the route back to the car.
After the short drive home I had a coffee and slab of Soreen (other maltloafs are available!) got changed and went out on the bike towards Warton Crag. 

Beside the view indicator on Arnside Knott looking Northwest.
There was as ever recently a hell of a wind!
This is my 60th Birthday present to myself, (albeit a bit after the fact) a Spa Elan. Not purchased to replace any of my other machines but for a specific purpose.....which I think it will suit admirably. There will be more posts on this in the future I'm sure This was my first proper ride on it and I must say so far I'm very pleased :-)

From high on the Knott it was back to sea level, after a pause on the Stone pier I headed back home well satisfied with my use of the day.

A Wander from Langcliffe

Another walk today which I've done numerous times. I always enjoy it so why not do it again! The weather behaved itself in the main, just one heavy shower that lasted 5mins...a tree provided handy shelter. Here's a few pictures from the day........

No walk hereabouts can miss out on the Hoffman Kiln

Across the fields to Stainforth, then the Pennine Bridleway up to...

...Catrigg Foss.
(This and the next photo were handheld at a very slow shutter speed so sorry for the blurring)

A closer view of the force

Pen-y-Gent sen beyond the narrow valley of Catrigg Foss

Winskill Stones with Inglebrough in the distance.
From here Victoria Cave and Warrendale Knotts and back to the car on more Pennine Bridleway, although I didn't take any pics?!

Mooching Round the Mines at Nenthead

Over to Nenthead in the North Pennines, and the heart of the lead mineral mining area today. I was with old mate Bill, although I visit Nenthead on a fairly regular basis lots of todays walk was new to both of us. We were blessed with the weather, here's a few pictures of the day.....

Carrs Level (I think!) As I understand it, this is the entrance used for the mine tours...Approx 10 days a year....I need to get on one of these sometime!

Looking back down towards Nenthead from the entrance to Carrs level

The entrance to Smallcleugh Mine and to its right the remains of the Smithy/mine shop.

Bill further up Old Carrs Burn

Mine Tub in Middlecleugh Mine

The smaller of the 2 reservoirs built to supply water to the mines

Another Level, Brownley Hill Mine

The public fountain in the centre of the village.
Hadn't they ever though about carrying a sports bottle of expensive water everywhere with them! 

An Upland Wander Above Patterdale

This was a walk which didn't trouble any summits! I was more intent on dodging the heavy showers as they were blown in on the stiff SW wind. This is always an enjoyable walk, one I have done many times....it fills in an interesting half day. Here's some pics of the day....

Looking back at Place Fell...the "Fix the Fells" path is at last starting to blend in!

Glenridding and the head of Ullswater seen across Chapel-in-the-Hause

Angletarn with Satura Crag and Rest Dodd behind.
Centre left in the picture you can see a tent....just being taken down at 11.45am! 

Another view over Angletarn...sparkling after one of the showers had passed through.

Looking down Bannerdale from Satura Crag

Back down by Hayeswater Gill.
The recent work on the Hydro scheme is blending in well here :-)

Slitt Mine, Westgate in Weardale

I've had this walk on my radar for many years, although short it's packed with interest for anyone interested in mines/industrial archaeology. We were blessed with the weather,  I should make a note that we risked life and limb by defying the warning that the path wasn't passable at the moment!
Here's a few photos of our walk...

Having parked in Westgate the path enters Slitt Wood near High Mill.
There are several small falls in the beck, nicely lit today with the sunlight through the canopy.

As you leave the wood behind (and the perils of the collapsed path) the first indication that the mine is just round the corner is this row of Bouseteams

This is the main site of Slitt mine and the next image gives an impression of how things would have looked over 130 years ago.
We had lunch here, whilst reading the information boards. It gave us time to contemplate how the tranquil air was so different to the times when the mine was in operation. 

One of the excellent information boards above the Main Shaft 177m deep (thankfully capped by a concrete slab) Imagine descending that on rudimentary wooden ladders by candlelight before you actually start work! Health and Safety....Pahh!

Continuing up the valley on what appears to be the trackbed of an old tramway we arrived at the remains of the washing floors at Middlehope Sheild.

Leaving the valley behind we made the short climb to the West to visit the West Slitt Reservoir.
 The mines would require lots of water, so many reservoirs were built throughout the North Pennines. This one is very impressive and must have required a huge amount of labour.
We walked back to Westgate and the car via field paths enjoying the views across Weardale.
Excellent, and well worth the wait.