Lake District 21st May 2016

Lake District Saturday 21st May 2016

Another trip to the lakes for a week, this time staying at the Bridge Hotel apartments Buttermere. There are 4 apartments the hotel rents right next to the hotel. Use of the hotel facilities, and located just a few minutes walk form the lake.

There is also the Fish hotel which does bar meals and a very nice cafe in Buttermere with freshly made dairy ice cream in many flavours for sale.

The one bedroom apartment we took was OK, a fair size, with a nice sitting area looking out 2 large glass windows (almost like a small conservatory) with views of the fells nearby. A nice patio with seats and regular visitor in the form of bird and Hens. Lots of sheep and cows passing by the road opposite every day been herded for miking (the cows anyway!)

A more relaxing day Sunday as the weather was not great we drove out for Sunday lunch to the Horse & Farrier in Threlkeld.
Monday 23rd May - Loweswater & Holme Force Waterfall

Keeping it local Monday a short low level walk was in order, driving the short distance to Loweswater. Maggie Bridge car park was full (it is small though), we parked at the other end of the lake (as we have done before). 

The day was reasonable, dry but cloudy and we enjoyed a steady amble along the wooded shore line of Loweswater.

Lots of bluebells to photograph at this time of the year. The macro lens came out the bag.

Heading up through the forest to Holme Force waterfall, I took a bit of time with some long exposure shots.

more shots of woodland bluebells

A pleasant shoer low level lake walk, around 5 miles including a diversion to Holme force waterfall.

Our Walk Score: 6.5/10

Saturday 12th Sept to Monday 14th Sept 2015

Saturday 12th Sept to Monday 14th Sept 2015

As usual travel day on the Saturday to stay at Bram Crag farm lodges.

Sunday 13th September

Sunday we decided on a fairly short walk covering a couple of lower Wainwright fells in the vary far north of the National Park.

Great Cockup (1669ft) & Meal Fell (1735ft) were the fells in question and we drover to Horsemoor Hills, parking in a cut in by the roadside near Orthwaite.

5.13 Miles, 4hrs 15 mins.

We set off walking around noon back down the road(lane) before heading left onto a track up Orthwaite Bank and towards Little Cockup.

The "Highland" cattle with horns , just had to get a few shots......

The grassy track up to Little Cock Up (1233ft), nice easy going .....

Then coming down from Little Cock up, the view looking back to its pointy low summit.

Then the 1st Wainwright of the day we climbed the "lofty" heights of Great Cock Up(1669ft)

Very grassy terrain but paths OK and distinct enough in most places, nice pleasant walking terrain.

Coming down off Great Cock Up to interchange of paths at Trusmadoor.

Then down and back up a short way to head North East to Meal Fell (1735ft).

Headed back the way we came initially down off Meal fell before veering right to short cut to Trusmadoor again.

From there, instead of heading back up Great Cock Up we take the avoiding low path around it skirting South of it towards Brockle Crag.

A steady grassy walk back to the start at Horsemoor Hills, We arrived back at 16:45, having enjoyed a steady afternoons walk with some reasonable open views.

Our Walk Score: 7/10

Monday 14th September

A cycle on a cloudy Monday morning directly from the Lodge to Thirlmere and Dob Gill waterfall and back (13 Miles), 2hrs, 40 mins.

Dob Gill waterfall lies about half way along Thirlmere on the "quiet" side away form the main road. Cars can drive along the good road and its fairly quiet, and a short but steep ascent into the forest tracks to get to the falls

Lake District Weds 17th September 2014

Lake District Weds 17th September 2014

St.Johns-in-the -Vale low level Walk

After the exhaustion (for us) of the cycling we settled for a short low-level local walk on Wednesday. Setting off walking from Bram Cragg around 11:00. 

This short 5 mile walk took us through the St.Johns in the Vale valley following the stream nearby the lodge to Bridge House, turning here and following a higher level path back to Bridge End Farm tea room, and then following the road back to Bram Cragg. 

The day was clear and bright and the views enjoyable to the higher fells of High and Low Rigg to the West and Clough Head and Great Dodd to the East.  Bridge house can be seen ahead.

The turning point at bridge house and the path to the East towards the fells of Clough Head and Calfhow Pike.  Business for another day I think.

The view from the higher level path (though not that high), down into the valley floor.

Passing our accommodation, the white farm house and roofs of the 2 lodges in the distance.

After about 2 miles we stopped at Bridge End Farm tea room for cake and drinks. However, I would not recommend this as the cake choice was dry and very limited, not the best experience to be honest. 

We crossed the bridge near the farm and just followed the B road back to Bram Cragg, and chilled out on the decking of the rest of the afternoon, enjoying the fine weather.

The neighbours came to visit again, so the camera came out.