Sheffield Pike, Heron Pike and Glenridding Dodd

Simon and Sal are up for the weekend, and the weather is still holding - so we grab the opportunity for a walk. We have only just been up Sheffield and heron Pikes, but they are close to home, give spectacular views and can include a lakeshore path. A bit of everything for a warm day and not too long a walk - leaving plenty of time for chatting.

 

 

We decided to do a different route this time, so we parked at Glencoyne Bay and headed up to Seldom Seen. This time, at the end of Glencoyne wood we carried straight on and followed the wall into Glencoyne. Husband labels the view for Simon and Sal

Glencoyne. A perfect example of a hanging valley. We were amazed at how few people were about today. We normally avoid walking at the weekends, but so far we hadn't seen a soul.



Walking round Bleabank Side. Looking back to Ullswater below us, there's quite a lot of stick waving going on today! We were parked in the bottom left corner of the lake.



From Nick head we turn away from Greenside quarries



and make our way to Sheffield Pike and Heron Pike

And then on to Glenridding Dodd. As usual, Breeze beats everyone to the top.

From here we took the steep path down The Rake to Glenridding and then followed the lakeshore path back to Glencoyne Bay. About 7 miles, fabulous views, brilliant company and another day of brilliant weather. We are really getting spoilt this summer.

Withnail and I

Today we thought we'd just have a gentle saunter and I have fancied exploring Wet Sleddale for a while. It is called Wet for a reason and as we have had no rain for the last fortnight, it seemed like a good time to go.

 

This area is famous for Sleddale Hall. The house known as 'Uncle Monty's' in the film Withnail and I

And the bridge from which Withnail went fishing - with a shotgun.

Our route saw us meandering all around the area. Here looking back on Wet Sleddale Hall and Wet Sleddale reservoir

Breeze was her usual self

Lunch in the sun

Just about 5.5 miles on another warm sunny day.

Fellbarrow, Low Fell and friends

Before we moved up here, we used to holiday in West Cumbria at Foulsyke. Undoubtedly the best holiday cottages in the Lakes. We got to know Joan who owns and lives at Foulsyke as well as Roger and Ann who live just down in the village (Loweswater). So every once in a while, we have a gathering. Today it was Joan who had the privilege of organising it, and feeding us all at the end!

 

 

Joan has the best view in the world. When we arrive and step out of the car, it's just like being on holiday all over again

Roger has planned the walk today. We drove just a little way down the road from Foulsyke to Thackthwaite and headed for the intake wall. Roger is in Blue on the left, Husband is in the middle, Joan is in white and Ann in red. Breeze you should recognise by now, Harry (Ann and Roger's retriever) is the big fluffy white one and Wattie, Joan's faithful companion is just in front of the gate.

Happy to be here

On Fellbarrow summit. Dylan, Roger and Ann's 5 month old retriever pup is on the trig point

Roger had planned a shortish walk in view of Dylan's tender age. It's a good job too with all the talking that got done. We'd have still been out at midnight otherwise! Ann and Joan take the lead, followed by Harry. Dylan brings up the rear behind the boys

On the 'other'summit of Low Fell (not the true summit but the best view). Roger,  Ann and Joan can see their houses from here. It was another glorious day and the views were outstanding.

Thanks to Joan for taking a rare family portrait as we relaxed in the warm afternoon sun

Bottom left - the large white building is Foulsyke house with the stone holiday cottages behind it and if you follow the wall that seems to start on the roof of Foulsyke - it leads you to Roger and Ann's cottage. Crummock water beyond

Breeze has another quick cuddle before we head back down to Foulsyke

Melbreak and Hencomb

And back to Foulsyke. Time to collect the cars, have a quick shower and then sit in the garden soaking up the view with a glass of Pimms, while poor Joan cooks up a delicious supper for us all.

About 4.5 miles, good company, superb food and a bit of nostalgia thrown in.

High Stile Ridge

Parking in the NT car park at Buttermere, we wandered through the village towards the lake but took the right hand lonnin towards Scale Bridge.

 

 

We were heading for Red Pike but wanted to avoid the horrible scree section and the tourists who would be using it as it is the best known route. Our route would take us steeply up through the trees shown at the end of the lonnin to the right hand side of Lingcomb Edge (the heather topped lump on the left). We would then turn sharply left handed and walk along the top of the edge towards Red Pike, our first summit of the day

It was very hot and very still today. The climb through the woods had been really airless, so we were glad when we came out of the top of the trees. Grasmoor is the big block on the skyline here. We were up there about a month ago

It will come as no surprise to learn that Breeze didn't worry about the heat. As usual she was charging about like a lunatic

Looking back to Buttermere village as we climb up the Ling Comb

Red Pike comes into view. Or should that be Red Hot Pike today?

Once at the top of Red Pike our next summit appears, High Stile. It was around now we were approached by a chap in his 50's who was in a group of 4. They appeared to be a family. He asked if there was another route down as they had come up the screes and didn't fancy going back down that way. No map, wearing trainers and not carrying an awful lot. It makes your blood boil.

Having given the idiot directions, we found a spot for lunch. Complete with a handy stone to take a timer shot from. You might guess from the ladylike pose, 10 seconds isn't long to get back to your seat with boulders in the way!

On to the top of High Stile, and Breeze poses.

Too many fells to mention, but Great Gable is the scone shaped one on the left at the back and Scafell Pike on the right

From High Stile and then High Crag, we came down Gamlin End. The bottom bit of the path has been repaired but the higher section has deteriorated a lot since we were last here. Breeze didn't find it at all difficult!

Finally we return reach the path that follows the edge of Buttermere back into Buttermere!

A very hot 10 miles, beautiful weather and cracking views.

Heron Pike and Sheffield Pike

We parked in Glencoyne at the end of the lonnin that leads to Seldom Seen cottages. We had planned to park under Stybarrow Crag, but some kind gits in a mega camper van had taken just about the whole lay by. Don't you love tourists?

 

 

A lovely gentle climb up through Glencoyne wood, brings us to the back of Seldom Seen cottages. Originally built as 10 miners cottages in 1867.

We carry on past the cottages to the end of Glencoyne wood, and then take the steep path that follows the Intake wall around the edge of the wood. The hanging valley of Glencoyne behind us

After leaving the wall at the top of the wood, we head up towards Heron Pike. Turning round we get this wonderful view of Ullswater beyond Glenridding Dodd.

Up the steep rocky path to the summit of Heron Pike - some find it easier than others

It's warm and sunny, and although it is quite steep, it's a lovely way up.

Leaving Heron Pike we head to Sheffield Pike. Catstycam with it's distinctive point sits in front of Helvelyn, the summit of which is still in cloud

The summit of Sheffield Pike. From here we head straight down to the mine workings you can just make out behind the boundary stone

Then down around Stang End to The Youth Hostel in the valley. The track we take from there is visible at the far end of the wood just left of centre. That track will lead us back to Glenridding and Ullswater

 

Then it's just a question of following the lakeside path back to Glencoyne. With plenty of opportunities for a swim

And chance to retrieve a few sticks

One last look up the lake as we leave the shore to go to the car.

Just 7 miles today, but a beautiful day weather wise. Sunny, warm (but not too hot) and a nice breeze (two nice Breeze's!!), and a really cracking walk too.

Low Level Langstrath

A bit of a dreary day today with low cloud and a bit of rain about. There seems no point in heading uphill in these conditions, and unlike most folk it's not about summits to us, it's about enjoying a good walk. All my childhood holidays were spent in Borrowdale so it is always nice to go and pay the area a visit. We parked just outside Stonethwaite, just a few hundred yards from the B & B those holidays were taken in. We walked out through the village, behind the camp site and followed Stonethwaite beck

 

 

 

Someone is pleased to be here

When we reached Langstrath Beck we then followed that, up Langstrath itself

Lots of birds about today, this Meadow Pippit's nest was right on the side of the path, hidden in the bank. Had the bird not flown out as we passed we would never have spotted it.



Langstrath - 'Long Valley'

At the top of the Valley we crossed the beck and walked back down the other side. The weather was starting to improve.

Looking back as we head towards Smithymire Island

Tiny pale Orchids are flowering, easily missed amongst the cotton grass (one on the left of this picture)

Galleny Force. From here it's just back through the village to the car

One heavy shower and a bit of low cloud, a few more people about than we really like, but then what do you expect on a low level walk in June! Just over 8 miles, but it feels far less.