A Walk Near Kidlington

Last week we were back in Oxfordshire & went for a walk near where Karen used to live in Kidlington. Unlike home most of the fields are arable around here. We soon reach the River Cherwell & the dogs go for a dip We then walk to the canal, the canal must meander a bit on its way to Coventry as it is only about 50miles to drive it from here A narrower section of towpath before we head back across the fields

The locals are very friendly here

Karen thinks she remembers the way across to the pub for lunch, it obviously doesn't get walked that often now

Thankfully before too long The Jolly Boatman comes into view

After a very nice lunch we head back over the fields to where we started

New Signage At Ennerdale .2.

Last Thursday we were back with Chris from the Forestry Commission continuing with the new signage installation. We set to work digging the hole & Andy has to climb in to inspect it!

Karen holding the new sign whilst Andy & Chris check it looks correct for approaching vehicles

Chris hanging onto the other one

Checking they line up correctly

Admiring our work now the postcrete has set, just need to fill the rest of the hole in with earth

The old signs had a no entry on them & we think these new ones should too as later in the day a 4x4 driver looking for Loweswater found us at Gillerthwaite completely unaware they shouldn't be down there

The finished job

By the field centre we had another sign to install

This was the tallest one so far & we had to dig down 2ft & yes the weather has changed

Crag helpfully wants a stick thrown

The new sign at the field centre, we left the old one there as it shows that there is a telephone there should it be needed

There is one more to put in at the youth hostel & some more to go in at Bleach Green

ROW Refresher Course At Broughton

Last Wednesday we travelled south down to Broughton to join some of the southern volunteers on a ROW (Rights of Way) Refresher course. The morning was spent indoors & then in the afternoon we went out for a walk along some footpaths to discuss any issues we had along the way. Looking back Broughton is hidden by the trees here We were split into two groups & our group seems to have split in two again A short climb up The Knott

Looking towards Mireside with the Coniston fells in the distance

Lastly we walked back to the depot along this disused railway

We were also given many of the higher Eskdale Fells which include the Scafells to survey so have our work cut out for the next few months

New Signage At Ennerdale

Yesterday we were back at Ennerdale putting in some new signs with the new Wild Ennerdale logo on them. To the right of this tree there used to be a forestry commission one until a campervan ran it over & we were to replace the two rotten no entry signs in the distance to the valley. First we had to assemble the big sign

Andy with his new toy a post hole digger which helps excavate the soil.

We leave Chris to finish off the big sign whilst we set about removing these old ones & digging a hole for the new ones

The soil here is very stony so a planting spade is one of the best tools to use

Unfortunately we discovered this had been cemented in so after getting it out we had to fill the hole in and start again as the new signs are bigger & wouldn't fit in the gap.

We did complete the main sign though

We are back tomorrow to help with some more

Volunteers Day at Ennerdale

Last Thursday we met at Ennerdale for a day with the volunteers and the Forestry Commission workers. Gareth giving us some info on the quality of the lake water and potential removal of some of the lake walls.

This farmhouse was originally used to smoke fish, hence the very large chimneys.

We then travelled further into the valley, this lightning strike had happened in the last week.

The cattle shouldnt be here, someone has left a gate open again.

We moved over to the south of the lake for a cup of tea and biscuits, this is a view we hadnt spotted before.

We then moved through the woods to look at the area that the cattle had been put into 5 years ago.

This is an area that had been fenced off to show the difference between where the cattle can roam and natural regrowth.

We walked up "the Side" to look at another area that was fenced off. Again this was views of the valley we hadnt seen before.

Looking up to Mart Knott.

All natural regrowth.

This tree outside the youth hostel is a Laburnum

We then went to Gillerthwaite youth hostel for lunch. This is a new poster showing the fells depicted in the 7 Wainwright books and the C2C route

Not a bad spot for lunch.

Nice view of Pillar.

After lunch we walked a short distance to look at some remains of houses that were there from at least 1430, but probably earlier.

Not to easy to spot as a lot of damage had been done by trees growing there.

Looking back down the valley and the posts in the foreground were removed by us earlier this year.

Gareth explained to us here the natural way the River Liza constantly changes course.

These pieces of wood were spotted and are to be reported to the park archaeologist as they were at least 4 foot under the bank and maybe of importance.

Typically clear water, it was very tempting to have a quick paddle.

Common orchid.

The last part of the day was to look in a field where 3500 Marsh Frittilary larva had been released some time ago. Some of the volunteers were quite excited by this.

About the best picture we got but this maybe a Common Fritillary.

A group picture, we had a very enjoyable and informative day. Many thanks to Gareth for organising the day.

A few days earlier we were back at the medieval houses near Smithy Beck that we cleared of vegetation and trees last year, this time we were brash clearing.