Two Bridge Surveys in Eskdale

Today we were back in Eskdale surveying two more bridges. We were familiar with the first having walked the route often. Not the greatest weather, low cloud on Bowfell in the distance. The lambs very young here Following the River Esk up the valley So little water coming off it today

The first bridge (Lingcove Bridge) comes into view

We knew there was some damage to this as we had reported it to the Ranger in March before we knew we would be surveying it.

Some of the stone abutment has been dislodged

Strange stalactites hanging from the soffit

Heron Crag

We managed to cross the river to get over to the other path (otherwise we would have had to walk back to Brotherilkeld), we came across this clump of Primroses

The other bridge was on Scale Gill, which had a nice waterfall as a backdrop

Scale Bridge

The waterfall from down at the beck

Looking down on the Esk valley through the bridge

Andy

We just have the bridge (if it exists) at Sineytarn Moss to do & that is Eskdale completed for bridge surveys.

St Georges Day

On Friday we went to a St Georges do with some of our friends, it was in aid of help for heroes. Just about Lesley. Bernie & Andy Leslie & Bernie (note Andy holding the England flag)

Karen

Leslie & Bernie

A really good night out at the Celtic Club

Harter Fell & Bridge Surveys

Today we headed over to Eskdale to climb Harter Fell & complete some bridge surveys. To climb the fell we parked across the road from Wha House (where Karen stayed when she found & bought our house)

A short walk though the woods to begin with

The trees seem to be entwined here

Further up the valley is Bow Fell

Sca Fell to the left

Green Crag which we walked in October 2008.

The Wasdale screes from their other side are the fells in the distance

What's that in the sky?

After 6 days our first vapour trails

Some interesting rocks, more suited to the Glyders in North Wales

The fell in the distance is Black Combe

The last section quite steep

Skirting around these crags

Duddon Sands in the distance

We make it up to the summit, Harter Fell 653m, it is one of those fells that you can't see the summit until you are right at it - thanks Crag!

Bess looking across to Sca Fell & Scafell Pike

Starting the descent we find another shorter but steeper route off

Across the valley is Blea Tarn which we will climb to for our surveys later

Looking back up at Harter Fell

Descending back into the trees

Cooling off & a drink in the beck

We then drove to Boot, we have never taken the road to the hamlet & were surprised at the houses & shops there

This was peat farming area, these derelict cottages

Harter Fell & Boot

We then had a walk along what appeared to be a very old wall

Harter Fell & Green Crag

The first bridge to survey

More cottages, the one to the right has a new roof on it, so may be being used

A panorama of Sca Fell around to Green Crag

Blea Tarn

The next bridge

We forgot the GPS, but took a bearing from the second bridge to the third & searched for it, we are pretty sure this is where it once was, you can see the abutments. We will check with the park & if its not the right spot we will head back with the GPS.

Walking back to Blea Tarn

I am getting really tired now, I think I will hang onto this stick for a while

We think we have found an excellent wild camping spot here for when the nights get warmer

The 3:50 departure from Dalegarth, the Lal Ratty steams its way back to Ravenglass

Everyone is watching it pass below us

Passing Beckfoot station

A great couple of walks in the glorious sunshine & two exhausted dogs tonight

Finally a few pictures of the hedge we laid last month that is starting to burst back into life. We were back volunteering at Ennerdale again yesterday. This time without the BBC.