Lake District - 19th September 2012

19th September-Far Easedale & Helm Crag
(Pathfinder Guide Central Lakeland: Walk #25  9.8 Miles)

After another hearty breakfast at the Daffodil Hotel we set off on another walk as the day promised to be reasonable according to the forecast (but chance of showers).

In fact, as we headed off walking away from the hotel the sun was just about out which was a promising start. The guidebook offered a starting point at Mill Bridge, someway out of the village, but probably (as we found out) actually a nearer point to proceed towards Easedale. I guess our start from the hotel added about another mile or so to the total.

It was about half a mile along the road path until we arrived in Grasmere itself and we marvelled at how quiet the village was early on a mid-week Wednesday morning. No doubt the tourist buses would soon be arriving though! We passed by the church and the Wordsworth graves which we had visited a few times previously.

We passed by the tiny gingerbread shop and took in the aromas of the gingerbread cooking, but continued as we had a long walk ahead of us.

Heading out of the village along Easedale Road we followed the walkers path to keep off the road, which was not only busy with vehicles but a herd of cows being guided along to their pasture. We kept well out of the way!



The road petered out in a narrow, but long and smooth lane with good views all around (and nice easy walking!)

Soon we branched off the road, right and then left through a gate and onto narrower and more rugged paths. 

The path narrowed yet again, and we were now in more open and wilder valley land; Far Easedale, and Far Easedale Gill to our right meandering through the valley.

The views around were pleasant on this low- level leg of the walk. Though the rain started soon after we began walking through the valley, though it was quite short lived, but did keep returning in sometimes rather sharp bursts throughout the rest of the day.

After a couple of miles we began to hear shouts, but initially was unable to determine their source.

All soon became apparent as we approached a group of shepherds with their (many) dogs herding hundreds of sheep.

We, and other walkers ahead, slowed and then stopped as we did not want to disturb the herding. We watched for a while and the sheep were eventually rounded up (apart from a few strays) and we continued on our way.

Very soon we reached our turn point at the head of the valley, and the path headed right and upwards towards our first objective Calf Crag.

The path turning and rising shown above.

As we gained further height the views down to the valley through which we had walked became evident and we took time to take pictures. (back to some HDR stuff again!)

The view back to Grasmere, somewhat zoomed in, but our hotel visible from where we had set off earlier.

Calf Crag (1761ft), the first Wainwright of the day, and a bit blustery, and wet at times!

The route off Calf Crag was obvious and just continued along the somewhat undulating and rocky (and boggy!!)  ridge to Gibson Knott.

The views down to the valley were spectacular, especially when the sun came out. This was never for long though and was usually followed by another blast of rain, adding to the boggy conditions. (Glad I wore those gaiters now, aren`t you Sue, ah..... I see you don`t have yours on, ah well enjoy the mud!)

The view from Gibson Knott (1377ft), when the sun came out for at least a few minutes. Wainwright number two of the day.  

Heading off Gibson Knott, we headed for Helm Crag, the obvious hump ahead of us and a push to the top.

The push was worth it for the views (and to get back to the hotel!)
Helm Crag (1328ft) and the third Wainwright fell.

The famous (or infamous) "Lion & The Lamb" or "Howitzer" was not so obvious when right next to it, though it does resemble these animals when viewed from ground level and at a distance.

The view ahead down to Grasmere and where we were heading (down!)



The route down was quite steep following a zig-zagging path initially, and then a very steep stepped path adjacent a wall side. Care was needed as it was a bit wet and slippery. 

Eventually though we were down, and joined the path we came on, heading back to Grasmere along much easier terrain.

Mud glorious Mud! Wish I had worn those Gaiters!
 (note from Susan: yeah, yeah but I don't like feeling restricted by gaiters and anyway a bit of mud never hurt anyone, did it?)

The weather turned for the worse again and we headed back and through Grasmere in the rain, ariving back at the Daffodil around 17:30.

The walk had taken just over seven hours, and just short of 10 miles, and had been a little tougher than expected due to the rocky terrain, wet and slippery (and boggy) conditions.

A full days outing, with a nice easy start through the valley, slowly ascending, then getting onto rougher and rockier terrain, up onto the wide rocky ridge and the three Wainwrights in a row with good views down to the valley.

Our Walk Score: 7/10

Lake District 17th/18th September 2012

Lake District 17th/18th September 2012

Monday 17th September

We set off from home on a fairly sunny Monday morning, but by the time we arrived in the Lakes around noon the weather had changed to rather wet and showery. We spent some time wandering around the shops in Keswick, sampled the sausage and mash in Brysons cafe (very large portion!), and headed for our hotel in Grasmere around 3pm.

Our hotel (The Daffodil) was located next to the lake just on the edge of Grasmere, and was booked via KGB deals at £129 on a two night deal, with 20% discount on restaurant food.


The hotel was brand new, only opened earlier in 2012, and was an old established hotel that was demolished and rebuilt but still retaining some original styling features (externally at least).


Website:  Daffodil Hotel - Grasmere

We had a non-lake view room with many modern amenities, a large bathroom with generous bath and a separate shower cubicle.

There were many luxury features, with a flat TV at the end of the huge comfy bed, higher end tea/coffee/hot chocolate/biscuits and Molton Brown toiletries. 

The 'view' was out onto a flat roof and air conditioning vents, though at less than £65 a night including a very good hot/cold buffet breakfast we could hardly complain. Even the "preview" room  rates are around £140 per night although for a lake view room (with the hotel being quite new they are offering preview rates but warn of perhaps some teething problems).

Whilst the hotel retained its old- style character externally, the internal decor was all very modern and in some ways a little bit clinical. It is early days though, and the very large (and some-what empty) reception area and the bar there (closed) will no doubt improve as time goes on.

The restaurant on the first floor can only be described as excellent. It is a grill style menu, and the steak and the chunky cut chips are "to die for!" (Possibly the best chips I have ever had!)
The prices were not off the wall either for the quality offered, and the service was generally very good. Our desserts were forgotten for a while on the second night, but with an apology and them being offered on the house, we had no complaints.

The large area outside the hotel is under development, and there are no gardens or lawns as yet, but it is early days, and with the views around outside, of the fells, and the lake, hardly an issue really. Though tables/seating and a decent bar for summer weather etc... would improve things somewhat, once the outside areas have been developed. The bar that was open, was the "Walkers Bar" adjacent (and really a part of) the restaurant. Quite why it qualifies as a Walkers bar is beyond me, as it seems anything but this, and is on the first floor (not exactly very accessible for walkers!)

Despite the small points raised (mainly relating perhaps to the hotel deciding what it wants to be - modern/boutique/traditonal?), would highly recommend a stay here, particularly at the crazy low price we paid. 

Tuesday 8th September

Grasmere: Grey Crag & Alcock Tarn
(Pathfinder Guide: Central Lakeland Walk #9 4.3 Miles)

After a cooked breakfast at the Daffodil we set off from the hotel around 10:15 for a walk to Grey Crag & Alcock Tarn. The day was dull, and looked showery so we chose a short fairly low level walk setting off directly from the hotel, so no drive required to a start point.

We turned left out of the hotel car park, and headed along the main road to the roundabout. Left turn would take us into Grasmere, but looking right, at the roundabout there was a narrow road going in the direction we had just come from, past Dove Cottage. Notable as Sir William Wordsworth moved into Dove cottage in 1799 (a former Inn).

Continuing up the lane and avoiding a minibus of Japanese tourists, the lane turned left, gently climbing next to the coffin stone shown below. 



These stones were resting places where a transported coffin may be laid down and the bearers allowed to rest for a while. The Corpse road, in this case that ran from Ambleside to Grasmere Church were routes along which the dead were transported from remote communities to places with cemetries and burial rights, such as parish churches. 

After a short while the road reached a very small pond through Brackenfell woodland, and then began to zig-zag, climbing and offering views of the surrounding fells.

The gate led into the National Trust`s Alcock Tarn reserve, and we followed the path up to Grey Crag. 

The view up to Grey Crag.

Nearing the summit we looked down to see our hotel - The Daffodil.

The Summit of Grey Crag, not a Wainwright, but a pleasant view down to Grasmere village, lake and the surrounding fellage. (Is that a word?)

Coming down a short way we arrived at Alcock Tarn,and passed the edge of this to follow a track by a wall.

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The descent back down to the valley was fairly easy going and at Greenhead Gill there were some small waterfalls.

Not sure of the significance of the small piles of stones though!

The route led us back to the main road, which we crossed and followed a narrow track into Grasmere village. Here we stopped at Tweedies Bar for refreshment (beer!) and decided to have lunch as the menu was too tempting. Recommended for both the food and the many choices of draught beers and wines. Next time I will try the "Beer Bat" which is a wooden "bat" with holes drilled in it to carry 3 small glasses of any of the beers to try as samples. Same price as a pint!

Web Link : Tweedies Bar - Grasmere

After suitable refreshment we followed the road through and then out of Grasmere back to the hotel, enjoying view ahead of Grey Crag and where we had just walked earlier.

Although only fairly low level and not a Wainwright fell, the walk was quite varied and pleasant, and allowed some time in Grasmere village on the return. All in all, an easy short walk with some good views down to Grasmere, very nice, and the weather did stay dry after all until we got back to the hotel.

Our Walk Score: 6.5/10 

7th September 2012 Peak District

Peak District - 7th Septempber 2012

Beresford & Wolfscote Dales (8.7 Miles)
(Pathfinder Guide - White peak - Walk #22)

 

 

 

We arrived at Hartington just before 10:30 on a warm  Friday September morning, with the sun shining. Parking was free by the side of the road just coming into the village.

We set off and walked through this small village passing a few shops and noting  the market square to the right. Turning left we stopped at the toilets opposite the main pay and display car park. It was busy (even on a Friday).

The route started just to the left of the toilets and though a narrow snicket out onto open countryside.

  
Soon we were at Beresford Dale, and alongside the River Dove and followed this for about half a mile or so, before turning right away from the river (and the crowds!) along a lane,then left onto more open countryside again.

It was here that we encountered a herd of cows (with horns!! - were they bulls?)
They seemed a bit "frisky" as several got up from laying down as we approached. We did the decent thing and turned around to follow an alternative (nearly) cow free route. (we have some history with cows from several years ago having been literally chased out of a field by a herd).
The alternative route took us above the herd and we had better views, so it was good for all concerned including the cows!

 

The grassy track eventually met a narrow lane, which led us down into the viallage of Alstonefield, and having passed through this small village we crossed several fields before a rather steep but short descent down Gipsy Bank and down into Wolfscote Dale and the river Dove.

The well constructed (and busy at times) path by the river was followed for about 2 miles before turning off right, away from the river up a long-ish incline with better and more open views

 

These tracks we followed for another mile or so, before joining a lane that took us back down into Hartington.

 

 

In Hartinton we enjoyed a Bradwells ice cream sat at the market square on a warm summers afternoon, before heading back to the car, finishing around 14:40. (4hrs, 10 mins total)

 

 

A fairly easy walk of nearly 9 miles, over easy terrain with some open views, but some quite long stretches in valleys, near the river. Pleasant, but not really any wow factor for us.

Recommended as an easy, though medium length walk.

 

 

Our Walk Score : 6/10