Beside the River Lune Nr Caton

Typical grey November day today, so we got out for a stroll beside the River Lune. We parked at the Lancaster City Council car park at the Crook O'Lune , paid the princely sum of £1.00 for the day! (Nat Trust and LDSPB please take note!) We set off on the North bank into a stiff Easterly breeze...nitherin it was!

So...Who was/is Dave?

Looking back towards the recently restored railway bridge, which now carries the cycle-path from Caton to Lancaster.

Upstream below Halton Park.

The waterworks bridge, this carries the 4 huge pipes taking all that lovely rain that falls on us Cumbrians down to Manchester etc. 

Looking back to the waterworks bridge and what could well be the last of the Autumn colours...the wind was blowing the leaves off left,right and centre!
We were lucky today arriving back at the car just as the rain started!

Wray Bay Ramble

With the hills shrouded in low cloud and drizzle, and jobs/errands to carry out in Ambleside we had a short stroll round Wray Bay. Pleasent enough even though it absolutely tipped it down for much of the time we were out! Managed to snatch a few pics from the gloom!

Another wonderful new sign, these are springing up all over the South Lakes!

Windermere at its calmest the sun trying to burn through (unsucessfully!)

A rare glimpse of blue sky from Wray Castle Boathouse looking across Windermere towards Lowood and Wansfell

Rough Stuff Fellowship ride to Coniston

It was my turn to lead a ride for the Rough Stuff Fellowship, Our starting point Skelwith Bridge. I had planned a very circuitous route to our destination, Coniston. My main concern was that as much as possible be rideable, not that easy in the Lakes! A reasonable turnout of 7 including myself...was soon reduced to 6 because Norman forgot his front wheel!! Anyway on with the pictures......

Up the Langdale valley to start beside the River Brathay to Elterwater.

Through Chapel Stile and the classic view of the Langdale Pikes.
Shortly after here we crossed the valley floor to ride back through Bays Brown Farm and over Owlets Nest.

Here we're almost back on tarmac in Little Langdale.

Along the road towards the foot of Wrynose Pass, then on the bridleway from Fellfoot Bridge..

This leads to Hallgarth and down to the ford at Little Langdale. There were "Hairy Coos" on here!

The colours were still good through the old quarries at Hodge Close. The bridleway skirting the lower Western slopes of Holme Fell brought us back to tarmac and onto our lunch spot at Sheperds Bridge.

Great views across to Wetherlam from the bridlewway above Holme Ground.

The excellent cycle/walkers track through the woods meant a car-free approach to Coniston

Down to the edge of Coniston Water to the excellent "Bluebird Cafe". Large Cakes for large appetites!

Round the head of the lake and thenthe hardest climb of the day from Thurston to Grizedale Moor. Turning back North across Hawkshead Moor we dropped down into Hawkshead via Walker Ground.

Looking North from the Walker Ground towards the Fairfield Horseshoe and Red Screes.

After the steeper than I remember climb up Skinner How Lane to Knipe Fold we were off-road again.
The old road over Arnside Intake took us over to Oxenfell High Cross.
As darkness was catching up with us it was road almost all the way back to the cars...except for a short lane off Skelwith Brow.
 A grand ride (if I do say so myself) in great company, thanks to all who turned up!!

Yanwath & the River Eamont

Thursday's stroll from Yanwath, Nr Penrith. Beside a River Eamont in flood after the recent heavy rain. Anyway just a few pictures snatched from under the leaden sky...it did stay dry tho!

Yanwath parkland

Beside a raging River Eamont

Always the best way!

River Eamont again.

Yanwath Hall

Eamont Bridge

A Short Stroll Round Hawkshead Hill

Today's weather was dominated by the strong wind...which periodically blew in showers of rain with little warning. I found myself with a free day at short notice, so decided to do a bit of recon for the Rough Stuff Fellowship ride I'm leading from Skelwith Bridge next Sunday. I know most of the bridleways in the area very well, but I was unsure of one small link...so off I went to reacquaint myself!

I'd parked at Knipe Fold and walked up the road towards Tarn Hows before following the paths through the woods above Sawrey Gound.

The Beeches in particular were in full Autumn colour.

Fungi beside the path as I entered Grizedale Forest from High Cross.

Forest roads and paths led me to the start of the bridleway I wanted to check on. It offers an excellent descent to Hawkshead...I'm looking forward to riding it next weekend!
I then made my way back to Knipe Fold via Hawkshead Hill through the showers!

RSF ride from Ingleton...A Battle Against the Wind

Today's forecast for the Dales was really grim. In fact I turned over and had an extra hour in bed! But looking out it didn't seem to bad so I cracked on and got myself over to Ingleton for the start of the ride.

Our initial climb was on tarmac after riding through Thornton-in-Lonsdale and Far Westhouse. We had a bit of wind behind us! It was very warm tho. Here we arrive at the first offroad Tow Scar Rd.

After a blustery ascent on to the Turbary Road, things got rather easier. Here we're at Rowton Pot, just below the "road". Cavers were abseiling down into the depths.

After a convoluted descent to the Kingsdale road we went and had a look at Yordas cave. Well worth a visit if your passing (good headtorch required). After lunch we rode back down Kingsdale, having a look at "Valley Entrance" and "Keld Beck Head". Proper windy down here a foretaste of what was to come!

Here we've just completed the steep ascent onto Scales Moor, the ride across the moor is excellent, although the limestone today was treacherous!
Shortly after this the rain arrived, driven in on the vicious wind. We dropped down to Chapel-le-Dale and fought our way back towards Ingleton into the gale. As we dropped down Oddies Lane into the village the sun even tried to make an appearance!
Glad I made the effort, a grand day battling the storm in great company.

A Short Ramble on the Ribble Way

Still needing to keep our walks as close to level as possible we walked a short section of the Ribble Way from Settle with a return from Langcliffe on quiet lanes back to Settle.

On the Ribble Way as the mist was being burnt off.

Approaching Stackhouse, the Autumn colours starting to develop nicely.

Suprisingly accurate forecasting station!

The Ribble Way descends gently to the river below Stackhouse

Our route back started along the footpath beside the old Langcliffe mill dam, before crossing both the railway and road to walk back along the minor road to Castleberg and Settle

Its always quiet along here...and there are several benches for resting/basking in the amazingly warm Autumn sun!