High Dam, Finsthwaite

Its been quite a few years since we've visited this picturesque sheet of water. It always reminds me of Scotland, probably because of the Scots Pines I think. Its not very far, the reward is great for so little effort.

This has appeared since we were last here, a relief map of Finsthwaite and High Dam.
Rather well made too!

The Dam at High Dam, we crossed and did a clockwise circuit.

North from the Southern shore, this doesn't show the bitter wind.

East across the tarn to Gummers How, the snow had just caught here as you can see.

Again this boardwalk was new to us! Thank goodness its been provided, it was always very wet across here.

Back lower down out of the wind the sun had some warmth in it, this field was mushy and very slippy.
So there we have it High Dam, worth an hour or two of anyone's time IMHO!

Silverdale Coastal Amble

A short walk beside the sea (well sand/mud today...tide out!) from Wolf House Gallery. Lots of folk about braving the thin wind blowing from the East.

The track to Heald Brow has been nicely cut back recently, excellent. 

Looking from Heald Brow over the salt marsh to Warton Crag.

The recent storms have continued to rip the salt marsh away as you walk round towards the old chimney. It won't be long before we'll have to walk on the sand at this rate.

As I mentioned earlier the tide was out exposing the huge expanse of sand across Morecambe Bay towards Grange-Over-Sands.

Back to the car via Jack Scout Cove and the Giant Seat (Recently featured on Countryfile).
Only a stroll, but a real contrast to yesterdays soaking on the bike.

Last Outdoor Trip of 2015...Fatbike from Staveley

A last minute change of plan saw me parked in Staveley with only a very rough idea of where I was going. I knew the dry start was forecast to deteriorate into heavy rain round about lunchtime. So just befor 10 I was off riding up the Kentmere valley, taking Browfoot Lane to gain height easily and giving access to the first of the bridleways.

I rode the bridleways through to High Borrans, the last one very muddy. High Borrans reservoir looking very full, no surprise given the rain we've endured.

Dubbs road next, the lure of the view up the Troutbeck valley spurring me on.

This was as far as I would ride up the Garburn Road today, I never tire of this view of the Troutbeck Fells. Its a great downhill from here to Limefitt, the track has suffered some erosion so a bit of care was required. 

A couple more tracks and the long drag up Robin Lane, Windermere looked grey today. The expected front was evident in the distance. The descent to Merewood was very washed out, these tracks will take a long while to repair.

Middlerigg Tarn...private of course. Wain Lane provided both a mud bath lower down and a full width washout further up. No longer possible to ride up I'm afraid....at least by me!

I'd planned to cross the Troutbeck on this bridleway below Town End, but the bridge has gone in the recent floods. So I detoured via Troutbeck, where the rain started right on cue.
I rode up Longmire Lane, the last of the off road the rain pounding down I rode back to Staveley on the road arriving at the car pretty wet.
So last ride of the year, I'd set myself a target of beating last years mileage total...4111 and have managed to notch up 4347 miles. I'm slightly down on ascent though 180,075ft whereas last achieved 187,635.
It's been a difficult year one way and another, but walking and cycling lets the mind wander and forget some of the trials we all face.
Happy New Year to everyone who passes by here, hope you've enjoyed what I've written and the photographs.
 Thanks have a good one :-))

Gummers How

At last the rain stopped here in the South Lakes, sadly it seems to have moved a little South to Lancashire and West Yorkshire. We took the opportunity to go for a short walk in the winter sunshine...something of rarity here recently!

The view South from near the summit, it looks like there are two rivers flowing out of Windermere....

North from the Summit of Gummers How, the next front forming :-(
It was great to be out in the dry for a change!

Rough Stuff fellowship Ride Over the Knott

The Knott in question is Arnside Knott, not that easy to fit into a logical circuit from our starting point of Carnforth! The day didn't start well for me...I was bitten by a dog before I even got to the start.
 People need to realise, not everyone out for a walk or cycle in the countryside likes your precious pooch! Keep the bloody things under control! I feel now having had time to think about the attack, and the lack of empathy from the owner that I wish I'd reported the incident to the police. In my book a dog which bites...in this case certainly without provocation should be destroyed...and its owner disciplined as well.
Anyway on with the ride.....

Our first track was the "Coach Road" over the shoulder of Warton Crag.
 John had a mechanical....his front shifter coming undone. He was reminded that perhaps he shouldn't have sold his singlespeed! :-) 

A bit blurry, I'm afraid...to fast these guys! As we climbed up below Heald Brow. Then it was along Bottoms lane as we skirted Silverdale.

The relatively new permissive bridleways near Haweswater were ridden, followed by a stretch of tarmac to Arnside. 

It was a bit breezy on the prom at Arnside.

We had a snack to fortify us for the climb over Arnside Knott.

John and Ian on the track over Arnside Knott...So mission accomplished! 

Our route back was via Dollywood Lane....which was rather flooded. I don't think anyone escaped wet feet through here. A cafe stop was in order, the only place open was Beetham Nurseries cafe. Very busy!
As we left the shelter of the cafe, it threw a light shower. I was close to home here, but rode a little way on with the rest of the group before saying my goodbyes.

I took this picture on the way home, there's still a lot of flooding here on the mosses.
 

Rydal Water Circuit

Just half a day available today, so a stroll round Rydal Water was just the ticket.

Having parked near Rydal Mount we set out along the "Coffin Road"

Here, further along the "Coffin Road" the view over the lake opens up. We were surprised to see that the lake was a sludgy brown colour, a result of the huge quantities of silt washed in during the recent storms.

A dusting of snow on Wansfell, not a breath of wind today so the mist was hanging above the valley.

Back to the car via White Moss and the multi-use track on the South side of the lake.
Another view of the "sludgy" water, very unusual here in the lakes...Brown rivers,yes....Brown Lakes, No!
So only a short walk, but the fresh air is always welcome after a week in the office.

Fat Bike Ride From Chapel Stile

This morning I found myself free at the last minute, I decided to get the fatbike out for a ride through the old slate quarries between Chapel Stile and Tilbirthwaite.

Over Owlets Nest to Little Langdale  and the ford which gives access to the Tilbirthwaite quarries.

Firstly I explored the West side of the valley I crossed over to Hodge Close...the sun came out at last! So I had my lunch sheltering from the bitter wind.

Crossing the Coniston road at Oxen Fell the steady climb along the Arnside Intake track, I then took the bridleway over Iron Keld.
As you start the descent the Langdale fells fill the view.

Further down the track I stopped to take this photo of the Eastern Fells....Still no snow, even though it felt cold enough for it.

The descent just keeps on coming. A very full Elterwater in the centre of the picture.

Back to the car along the multi-use path beside the swollen River Brathay and Elterwater.
The weather wasn't as good as forecast, and the tracks were very wet.
I can definitely say I need some new waterproof trousers for offroad cycling! :-)