Lakeland at its best...

A glorious day - fresh, practically no wind and sunshine. The Lake District positively glowed in tones of amber and russet. A good circular walk and I am always amazed by how, although it isn't exactly 'peaky', High Raise as the highest point in the Central Fells, affords such spectacular views - stunning today! 

An early start in beautiful light....we parked at the bottom of Dunmail Raise and headed through Grasmere towards the Easedale Tarn path. 

Sourmilk Ghyll, which empties from the tarn shone in the distance.

Getting closer...

Autumn.

My favourite Juniper tree ...

Easedale Tarn ...the path to Blea Rigg goes up to the left from the tarn...

We missed the path and took a more direct route up onto Blea Rigg!

The Blea Rigg ridge.

After Blea Rigg as you climb Pavey Ark and the Langdale fells come into view....

Looking towards Sergeant Man.

It's always nice to see Club Mosses.

Looking back towards Sergeant Man as we headed to High Raise.

High Raise looking towards Great Gable in the distance.

Looking towards Skiddaw - top right.

Zooming in ...Bassenthwaite in the distance.

...and Fleetwith Pike and Honister.

And then a long ridge walk down over Tarn Crag.

Tarn Crag.

Herdie.

Traditional gate stoops...

The path off the ridge and into Grasmere along Far Easedale Ghyll was really nice, if not a little hard on the soles of the feet after a long, but excellent day.

Storm Austen waves

With roads potentially blocked by trees and power lines we decided that the sensible walk would be down to the beach at Praa Sands, where we were staying, followed by a coffee at Stones Reef, the bar at the beach....and very exhilarating it was too! The red flags were flying and the surf was up...

Spot the surfer!

Last night the wind was a southerly as the storm hit, but it swung round overnight so it was offshore..

Before Storm Austen

After visiting Carn Euny we found we still had a couple of hours before the rain and wind of Storm Austen arrived, so a quick walk out at Botallack, before a wild walk on the beach back at Praa Sands. 

The classic view.

Longships Lighthouse disappearing in the rain...

Towards Cape Cornwall.

And back to Praa Sands.

And a By-the-wind Sailor. 

Carn Euny Ancient Village

This ancient village is well preserved and has been occupied from the Early Iron Age to the end of the Romano-British period. The star structure is the 'Fogou'. This is an underground tunnel and chamber feature, found only in Cornwall. There are 15 confirmed in Cornwall and theories for use include, storage, defence and some sort of religious significance. The site parking is at the end of a dead end road and when you nearly get there it has the distinct feeling of driving through someone's garden! There are two routes to the site which make a pleasant circular walk. 

A 'Clootie Tree' - making wishes near the Carn Euny sacred well. We didn't know this at the time, so no photos of the well, which we didn't see. 

The site...

The Fogou...

Inside the main chamber.

Looking for Cave Spiders - it's a spider and in the Fogou, but not a proper Cave Spider. 

Fluorescing algae.

The paved track as shown in the interpretation above.

General views ....

1750s cottage remains.

Walking back through what felt like part of a much overgrown garden.