Hoff Beck...From Drybeck

P. was feeling very poorly today, but insisted on going for a walk...."the fresh air will do me good". So a suitably easy stroll round the environs of Drybeck and Hoff Beck was undertaken...and very  nice it was to!

They take a pride in their seats hereabouts, it commemorates the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth

After some quiet lanes we took the path down to Hoff Beck, part of "The Dales Highway"

Hoff Beck was almost a "drybeck" as well, but many of the pools contained some quite large trout.

Eventually as you walk upstream you reach Rutter Force, and old mill. Up until a few years ago there was a Tearoom here, alas no more :-(

Beyond the mill the meadows beside the river were full of wild flowers, this orchid being one of them

Almost back at the car and these two horses were very grateful for a handful or two of grass.
Only a short walk but really rather nice.

Rough Stuff Fellowship Ride from Torver....to Dunnerdale

My turn to lead a ride again, and as these rides are generally planned many months in advance I have no control of the weather! The forecast had been evolving over the past few days from really grim to yesterday when it said not bad at all. I had received an email from Nick and Eileen last night to say they'd come along so at least I knew I wouldn't be "Billy No Mates!" Once we'd met up at the deli at "The Wilsons Arms" we discussed or options over a coffee and agreed on a plan....so this is were we went...........

From Torver we headed South down the tarmac lane towards Haveriggholme, leaving the dull central lakes behind.

It wasn't long before we were on our first offroad climb on the bridleway over "The Knotts"

A bit of road work then this byway past Wallenrigg which had been tarmaced in the not to distant past!

From this ridge we had an excellent view over to Stickle Pike and the bridleways we were heading for 

First though there was some pushing up the steep track in Penny Crag Wood

Eventually we crested the ridge and started our descent into our goal of Dunnerdale.

This is a great track much less used than many of the other Lakes Trails

Nick on the final piece of track, the sign said "Broughton Mills 11/2 miles, it felt a lot further!

Off route, but to good to miss Ulpha Post Office provided Ice Creams and Coffee

Then it was up the steep climb of iln Bank followed by this wonderful singletrack which contours under Ravens Crag to Stephenson Ground.

The weather had improved throughout the day, here we look down into the Lickle Valley

Never miss a ford photo opportunity....Nick as we approached Stephenson Ground

Our route back too us into Apple Tree Forest....it all seemed up hill!
But from the top of the wood it was all downhill back to the cars at Torver.
We all agreed it had been great day, I'd like to say Thanks for the company!

Attermire and Castlebergh Above Settle

Last minute decision to go out today found us parked up in Settle for a short stroll above the town.

We left Settle by the Pennine Bridleway, these look like Cultivation Terraces across the valley

Its a steep pull, but the view behind compensates

As we walked up Stockdale Lane it looked like the grass was ready for cutting...although possibly not by this tractor!

Warrendale Knotts...lots of stock up here...and thistles

As we started to drop back down towards Settle, Ingleborough and Ribblesdale were seen to great advantage.

A short diversion took us up to the top of Castlebergh....it provides an almost aerial view of the town.
Only a short walk but very pleasant.

The Lowther Valley

It was a scorcher today, and with some jobs to do in Penrith we had a short but very pleasant walk in the Lowther Valley

We parked in Askham and found our path towards Helton which seemed to be through someones garden!

Most of the fields have been cut for hay/haylage/silage 

Then it was beside the River Lowther

The farmers were busy along here "scaling" the freshly cut grass to speed up the drying

A lot of weed growth under the bridleway bridge below the hamlet of Whale

Our route back took us through Lowther Park then under the welcome shade of the trees. Its just a short way from here back to Askham.

RSF Ride from Nentsberry...(Nr Alston!)

An awayday weekend for the South Lakes RSF at Haggs Bank, Nentsberry. I was only able to attend today, the weather behaved its self only raining after we got back to the cars at 5ish...perfect!

Our first bridleway started with relatively easy going as we headed over to Coalcleugh fro Dykeheads above Nenthead.

The good going didn't last though! it was a relief to reach the watershed and some downhill.

Like many of the properties, Coalcleugh has its own wind turbine. For us arrival here meant we could ride on tarmac for a short while, gaining height above Carrshield Moor.

The descent from Carrshield Moor was all rideable and good fun

Back on the tarmac for a short way, as we contoured above the East Allen valley.

We dropped down to cross the river at a bridge below "Steel"...it had definitely seen better days!

Lunch was taken at Allendale....

A bit of road work brought us to the long hard climb onto Ouston Fell...not rideable by any of us anyway.
This picture is taken much further along when things had improved. I was last on this track about 35years ago and I remembered it as a grassy track...things have changed!

We contoured round Newshield Moss sun lighting up the Buttercup rich meadows towards Alston

A last bit of byway above Blagill would bring us almost back to Nentsberry. From here there is a great view of the upper part of the valley to Nenthead.
A good ride.