Too bright, too early...

The weather was too bright, too early to last all day, but as we were beginning with Catbells, we were up early and had the best of the day. Once again glorious autumn! We parked successfully at 8:30ish at the base of Catbells and headed up... Rocky gave the rock band scramble on the lower flanks of Catbells his best shot....well he basically threw himself at it and required catching! Anyway, on the summit the views were stunning from this charismatic little peak. We shared the top with just 4 others. Then it was down and up onto Maiden Moor and the long ridge that leads to High Spy. From here we carried on down to the col and Dale Head Tarn, before following the valley down to Little Town and returned via footpaths round the back of Catbells to our start. The valley down from Dale Head Tarn, with the what becomes Newlands Beck in it, was stunning! Lovely berried Holly and Rowan and classic waterfalls. A walk we shall repeat. 

Skiddaw in her autumn cloak.

Skiddaw and Blencathra over Keswick.

From the northerly flank of Catbells.

Catbells.

Descending before climbing onto Maiden Moor - a good view of Sergeant Man, where we were two days ago. It looks a lot more impressive from this side! 

Looking down onto Catbells.

Maiden Moor.

High Spy.

Looking across to Dale Head.

Lovely textures...

And to our delight a really large area of Stag's-horn Club Moss.

Really abundant!

Coming down the valley...

Lunch stop...

Lovely worn holes and pebbles.

Swirling.

Cascading....

Looking back ....

Little Town church with Keskadale Oaks in the background.

Rocky's tops

This was the second time we have done the route and both times we have enjoyed clear summits and glorious weather. Looking back at the last time click here , that we did it I posted four pictures of Rocky, one on each summit. So here, in the week of his fourteenth birthday are yesterdays four pictures of him on the same summits, together with the original ones. Happy Birthday week Rocky-dog! 

Blea Rigg.

Sergeant Man.

High Raise.

Tarn Crag.

And six year's ago ....it was a very hot August day hence the damp neckerchief!

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..