Holme Wood - Loweswater

A new wood for us and it was a gorgeous mixed woodland, with great views of Grasmoor and up the Buttermere Valley.

The mighty lump that is Grasmoor.

The native Yellow Water Lily.

Great Crested Grebe.

Lovely mixed woodland.

Cow-wheat growing at the base of the tree's trunk.

Chimney Sweeper Moth.

Golden-ringed Dragonfly.

White Water Lily.

Another day; another fell

And what a glorious day it was! Perfect weather conditions and so dry underfoot. This time a trip to Ullswater and up Place Fell. We set off early and were pleasantly suprised how empty the roads were - not so  the carpark, but where everyone was - who knows? Anyway, up to Boredale Hause and then onto Place Fell - you think you are there, but a nice almost flat path leads along the top to the summit. We then descended over The Knight and down the path beside Scalehow Beck - a very nice path and beck. Then on down to the waterside for a return along the lake shore - except that it isn't along the lake shore, but up and down over rough terrain. A nice walk though as the trees are just about to burst into leaf. We saw our first Wheatear of the year on the tops and heard our first (many) Willow Warblers. Being as the woods dropped away to the lake shore in places, we were level with the tree canopy, so it was nice to glimpse two Orange Underwing moths.  Cracking walk; craking day; sore feet. 

Looking over Patterdale from the path up to Boredale Hause.

Towards Brother's Water and the Kirskstone Pass. 

Near the top of Place Fell looking across to the far end of Ullswater. 

Looking back down the path from near the top of Place Fell.

The top...

A dramatic panorama looking towards Helvellyn.

Descending ...

Lunch stop view.

Walking back along the side of Ullswater.

Middle Fell, Seatallan and Buckbarrow circuit

Another gloriously sunny day with a stiff breeze. This time a walk from Greendale up onto Middle Fell and then across behind Greendale Tarn and up (steep) onto Seatallan, before a very pleasant stroll down onto Glade How and down off Buckbarrow, before returning to the car at Greendale. Although no paths are shown on the OS map, they are there! It was exceptionally windy on Seatallan, so quite hard walking and not too many photogrpahs as holding the camera still was an issue! Superb views though, especially of the Scafells. The highlight was a cracking view of a feeding Ring Ouzel, just as we descended towards the road alongside Gill Beck. 

Buckbarrow from Middle Fell - there is no way down the face so you come down on the farside of the crag. 

From Middle Fell across Wastwater towards the Scafells. 

Looking across to Seatallan from Middle Fell.

From the lower parts of Seatallan looking back to Middle Fell.

And zooming in to the Scafells. 

Fortunately there was a shelter on the top of Seatallan; lunch stop view with Sellafield in the hazy distance. 

The summit cairn - everything looks so pale in the bright light.

From Buckbarrow looking back at Middle Fell and Seatallan with Haycock in the far distance.

A classic view.

Wasdale Screes.

Looking back down to the road. 

Langdale Five

A gloriously sunny day and being as it's mid week and before Easter, a quiet walk round the Langdales. Breezy on the tops mind, with a decent wind chill! We parked at Stickle Barn - ideal for the post walk pint - up the steep path to Stickle tarn - round the tarn and up Pavey Ark - some nice scrambly bits, then onto Thunacarr Knott - across to Harrison Stickle; onto Pike O'Stickle - another nice scramble and then back down over Loft Crag and back down into the valley. Another excellent day out!

Pavey Ark and Stickle Tarn.

Looking down over Stickle Tarn from Pavey Ark.

The top of Pavey Ark...

And Thunacarr Knott.

Looking down on Pike O'Stickle from Thunacarr Knott.

From Harrison Stickle looking across to Bowfell.

Pike O'Stickle and Bowfell.

From Pike O'Stickle looking along to Loft Crag, with Harrison Stickle on the left.

Descending into the valley...

...and a pint!

Silver How - the better way

Last time I went up Silver How we went the direct route, from the southern end of Grasmere up Kelbarrow. It was rubbish weather and I was singularly unimpressed by this smaller fell with a good reputation - Today I was well impressed! Parking at the bottom of Dunmail Raise, we walked through Grasmere to Allen Bank and then up a lovely lane onto the open fell. We soon ascended onto Brigstone Moss and then the ridge that over looks the Langdales. Absolutely stunning views - well worth the detour, and all in what felt like spring weather! There were many faint paths to choose between that took us over to Silver How, which has good views over South Lakeland. We took a more direct descent route (well marked) and easily crossed Wray Gill, before rejoining our original route to return through Grasmere. 

Walking up through the Juniper.

Enjoying the sunshine....

A panorama.

Zooming in to Bow Fell...

...and the Pikes.

The Dale bottom.

The plateau.

Freshly laid frogspawn.

More happy Herdies....

Looking back on the way up Silver How.

The summit.

Grasmere and Rydal.

..and looking down on Grasmere.