On Monday amidst glorious blue skies & even warm enough for shorts (we weren't quite brave enough) we set of to survey three more paths including the highest point in the parish - Black Combe (600m)
It was relatively flat as we walked along the western side of the fell. The three paths were a circular route starting in Whitbeck & walking to the northern end of the fell before climbing & heading south over the summit & back down to the road & then walking low level back to the start.
It was quite hazy, we couldn't see the Isle of Man, but could see St Bees Head beyond Sellafield.
The running water here makes the mud & grass look like stalactites
How old is this piece of machinery & how long has it been laid to rest here
Looking across to Corney Fell. A road passes over this fell & is a bit of a rat run to cut the corner on the A595.
Looking down on Bootle
Looking across to the Old Man of Coniston
And in the opposite direction out to sea
We were sure we had seen a little snow on the northern faces of the higher lakeland peaks as we drove over. The un-named tarn between the two summit cairns was quite icy.
We didn't stop at the main summit and shelter as there were three sets of people already there so continued to the lower summit cairn for lunch.
A panorama from the lower cairn of the view inland
Quite an impressive cairn even at the lower point (587m). We had climbed up from only 50m above sea-level so were glad for a rest.
Rather hazy but looking south to Millom with Barrow beyond that
Zooming in on Duddon Sands
Someone has spent a lot of time creating this
After lunch we start the descent back into Whicham
Although it is 600m high Black Combe isn't one of the 214 Wainwright main fells but is documented in the book "The Outlying Fells of Lakeland" (as is Dent the fell closest to our house).
Today we decided to go back to Whicham & finish the lower level footpaths that we hadn't already surveyed.
Our first path took us form the A595 to the Black Combe path we had walked on Monday
Then across the A595 to walk another three paths to Kiskin. We don't believe this gate is opened very often as these three ladybirds appear to have found a winter home here (we were very careful not to disturb them)
A benefit of all the rain to the dogs when tarns spring up in the fields
An impressive three span bridge carries the railway over the River Annas
Looking across to Black Combe
The bridge as we return
We were then rewarded with a flypast from two Hercules transporter planes
Followed by a much quicker & noisier jet
We drove into Whicham to complete the last two surveys & spotted this bird of prey in the next field (it flew away when we got closer)
It had been a lovely day & the sun was still shining far out at sea, although the cloud was gathering now inland
We just have three more footpaths to complete which are three different routes up White Combe (472m) so we will probably have to complete these over two more trips.
Then a panorama looking East
At the summit with Scotland clear in the distance
Scafell Pike & Sca Fell
Pillar with snow to the left
And looking down on Cleator Moor
Finally last week when we were walking along the cycle track with the dogs we spotted a red squirrel, the first we have seen this close to home.
This in the first of 6 Dales we pass through - Long Dale
The first checkpoint was reached at 9:40, & then we are following the River Bradford in Bradford Dale. Terry had gone ahead by now so Karen was walking with Barry, Garth, Gerry & Peter.
Approaching Youlgreave, notice Peter & Barry are ahead of Karen
And to the most beautiful dale Lathkill Dale, Peter making a break for it ahead of Gerry.
Waterfalls on the River Lathkill
The second checkpoint was as Monyash where Karen & Crag made a break for it. The weather also turned which meant we had rain & wind directly in our faces & took no more pictures.
The next day after all the lads left we took the dogs out for a walk along the Caldon Canal (built in 1776) as it was flat & a good surface for Karen's aching legs. Just as we started though there was some shooting & Bess decided she wanted to go back, we put her in the car & the two of us & Crag continued. This is Foxtwood house where were we staying, a very impressive building & surroundings.
Froghall tunnel, we have to walk around not through this.
A derelict house near Froghall
Posing for the camera again!
This (as we discovered later) is Sid who used to be the resident swan on the lake at Foxtwood, but has decided to move to the canal
We had taken some left over bread & he was happy for a snack
Sitting waiting for the stick to be thrown, yesterday obviously didn't tire him out
We then met another border collie "Jake" & his owner. Crag & Jake had a good chase around together.
We then came across some ducks
Bridge no .53. on the canal
That's cheating, a diesel engine pushes the Great Western Large Prairie 2-6-2-T engine no 5199 (built in Swindon in 1934)
And we turn and return back along the towpath
A much nicer day weather wise than Saturday
Despite us having done 6miles (& Crag a lot more) he still wants to play
And pose!
Please note all engine data from the Churnet Valley Railway website, we haven't become secret train spotters - honest
It was quite hazy, we couldn't see the Isle of Man, but could see St Bees Head beyond Sellafield.
The running water here makes the mud & grass look like stalactites
How old is this piece of machinery & how long has it been laid to rest here
Looking across to Corney Fell. A road passes over this fell & is a bit of a rat run to cut the corner on the A595.
Looking down on Bootle
Looking across to the Old Man of Coniston
And in the opposite direction out to sea
We were sure we had seen a little snow on the northern faces of the higher lakeland peaks as we drove over. The un-named tarn between the two summit cairns was quite icy.
We didn't stop at the main summit and shelter as there were three sets of people already there so continued to the lower summit cairn for lunch.
A panorama from the lower cairn of the view inland
Quite an impressive cairn even at the lower point (587m). We had climbed up from only 50m above sea-level so were glad for a rest.
Rather hazy but looking south to Millom with Barrow beyond that
Zooming in on Duddon Sands
Someone has spent a lot of time creating this
After lunch we start the descent back into Whicham
Although it is 600m high Black Combe isn't one of the 214 Wainwright main fells but is documented in the book "The Outlying Fells of Lakeland" (as is Dent the fell closest to our house).
Today we decided to go back to Whicham & finish the lower level footpaths that we hadn't already surveyed.
Our first path took us form the A595 to the Black Combe path we had walked on Monday
Then across the A595 to walk another three paths to Kiskin. We don't believe this gate is opened very often as these three ladybirds appear to have found a winter home here (we were very careful not to disturb them)
A benefit of all the rain to the dogs when tarns spring up in the fields
An impressive three span bridge carries the railway over the River Annas
We were then rewarded with a flypast from two Hercules transporter planes
Followed by a much quicker & noisier jet
It had been a lovely day & the sun was still shining far out at sea, although the cloud was gathering now inland
We just have three more footpaths to complete which are three different routes up White Combe (472m) so we will probably have to complete these over two more trips.
