Furness Abbey and Bow Bridge

Another tupperware day....the forecast said better in the West, so off to Furness we went. And it was dull and damp there as well! Ah well worth a try! Untrodden paths for both of us today, and really rather interesting.

Furness Abbey

These are the surface remains of a Haematite mine above the Mill Beck valley. This area was first mined as long ago as 1235, but these are far more recent....

...as evidenced by this rather nice quarry tile floor. The building has been demolished, only cows walking on it now!

As we left the old mine behind and gained height towards the village of Newton we would have had a great view over Barrow-in-Furness, sadly the weather didn't do it justice.

We then dropped back down into the valley and had a good look at Bow Bridge, not as old as the nearby abbey...only 15th century!
From here it was only a short way back to the car near the abbey. Lots of interest on this short walk

Rough Stuff Fellowship ride from Lindale

Freezing fog greeted us at Lindale as we met opposite the John Barrow monument . It was my turn to lead the group, I'd planned a ride of round about 20 miles, calling at Cartmel for a snack/coffee. The five of us set off into the fog, and climbed the narrow roads through the quieter parts of Lindale...

Nick and Ian on the first off-road of the day, the climb of Hollow Lane. 

Lots of hoar frost on the hedgerows this morning.

Another bridleway took us across Hampsfell, the signage leaves something to be desired hereabouts., not helped by the dense fog..there was lots of map consultation.

After Tea and Crumpets at "The Mallard Tearoom", it was back out into the cold. We rode through Cartmel Racecourse and Southish towards Cark before doubling back to follow bridleways  over Howbarrow.

The section near Burns Farm was wet! Even with the frost!

An excellent track took us through Great Allotment, and after dropping down to Low Brow Edge we rode over Bishops Allotment. The temperature had risen slightly and turned the frozen mud into very clingy mud!
More importantly the sun had eventually made an appearance...but only for a short time!
We made our way back to Lindale and the cars on the many minor roads, descending by Hollow Lane.
The Strava route is here.

Penrith Beacon

This is a very short walk, but neither of us had visited this oft seen landmark. Things needed to be put right! So off we strode....its only a short walk, indeed it could be done by a fit person in their lunch hour from the town centre I would say. Worth an hour of anyone's time I'd say!

The path gains height at an easy angle up thro Scots pine and scrub. Alas you are fenced in for much of the way...Lowther Estates apparently.

You don't see the tower until your almost there.
I can imagine its rather muddy up here, fortunately it was all frozen today :-)

It was built to warn the townsfolk of marauding Scots it would seem.
Today it's all locked up to keep the Neds out :-(

The veiw to the Lakes hills would be even better if some of the trees were trimmed back. The Pennines can't be seen again because of the pesky trees!

Coniston Fells

Today's walk would follow the Swirl How- Coniston Old Man ridge. I would normally climb Wetherlam to start this round, but today I decided to gain the foot of Prison Band via Levers Water. It was a fantastic day, I added Dow Crag as I made good progress and found time for a detour on the way back. Lots of photo's, apologies in advance!!.....

Coppermines Valley

Levers Water from Kennel Crag

Coniston Old Man and Brim Fell from Kennel Crag

A very cold looking Levers Water

Looking back to Levers Water, Coniston Old Man in the background.

Helvellyn and Fairfield seen beyond Lingmoor Fell from Prison Band

Old footprints.....guess it's been windy!

The summit of Swirl How, Langdale Pikes in the middle distance

There wasn't much snow on the ridge as you can see!

The summit of Brim Fell 

Coniston Old Man trig point, looking back along the ridge I'd just walked

Dow Crag looking just great!

South  towards Walna scar from Dow Crag

Lots of ice rime all along the ridge.

Back to the summit rocks of Dow Crag, the Scafell group in the background.

Blind Tarn below Brown Pike

I walked back along the "improved" Walna Scar track.....is this the best that can be done? :-((

As I got back to the gate on the edge of the moor, I had time on my hands so walked back up the track to the old Mandalls Quarrys. Then turned down into Coppermines valley, thence down to the car in Coniston.
A great day, as usual the weather makes it!

Newton Fell (S) and Dixon Heights

A short bimble from Low Newton, to the bumpy little summit of Newton Fell (a Wainwright Outlyer) and the lower top of Dixon Heights. We set off in a heavy snow shower and retuned in another one! The wind was absolutely perishing! Its a nice little trip anyway, although possibly better on a warm summer evening!

No photos of Newton Fell I'm afraid, (I didn't get the camera out in the blizzard!)
This is Tom Tarn in the col before Dixon Heights

As we gained a bit of height and the snow showers cleared we were able to see up to the Kentmere Fells beyond Whitbarrow Scar.

Here on the summit of Dixon Heights is the remains of a tower constructed of the local slate.
 Whitbarrow Scar seen here across the Winster Valley.

Here we look due East, South of Whitbarrow across Meathop and Foulshaw Mosses to the South Lakes villages of Levens, Witherslack and Heversham.
We returned to the car via Eller How, Burnbank and Hollow Lane...much of the time being blasted by snow/hail driven in on the brisk wind.

Rough Stuff Fellowship ride over Garburn Pass

The forecast was poor for today so although I knew Ian would be at Wilf's Cafe in Staveley, I was surprised to find that Adam was also there. After a coffee/tea/hot chocolate! with a plan off we rode....

A short way up Kentmere, we headed up Browfoot Lane and onto the first rough stuff of the day.

After passing through High Borrans, a bit of tarmac and the climbing (gradual at first) started as we rode up Dubbs Road.

As we gained height any hope of a view were lost as we were enveloped in cloud. It was slightly drier though!

No photo's of the descent I'm afraid :-(
The drizzle had really set in, we sought shelter beside Kentmere village hall.

From Kentmere Hall it was uphill on the bridleway past Whiteside End into Kentmere Park.

By now it was very wet....and muddy!

After a quick descent to the valley we decided to add another loop...it would have been difficult to get any wetter. So up past Long Houses before a final descent past Elf Howe and back to the cars.
Another great ride, the weather only adds to the fun....that's what I keep telling myself.

A Couple of Wythop Birketts

A great couple of hours in one of the most peaceful valleys of the Lake District. Hidden from most folk and the neighbouring Wainwright's are usually bagged in short up and down trips from the other side. All good for the lover of quiet places....

We were able to park at the end of the public road. The bridleway heads East towards Wythop Woods.

Turning North we passed the abandoned farm of Lothwaite Side...shame its got amazing views as you can see!

As height is gained on the contouring path the Skiddaw group looks magnificent across Bass Lake.

This was our view from our lunch spot , the top of Lothwaite. There was barely a breath of wind.

It's only a short distance to Rivings, the next top. Here roughly in the centre of the image (not in the distance, that's Ling Fell). The weather seemed to be turing for the worse as cloud was building from the West. 

To the West all still looked good though. Paths and bridleways led back through Chapel Wood, and eventually the car.
A really pleasant, and peaceful outing.