David and Jacinta's Walks- 2023

  Forest of Bowland- Grit Fell, Ward's Stone and High Stephen's Head For our last day of our Forest of Bowland trip, we thought that we'd do what the guidebook described as one of the classic high-level routes, and it proved to be a great day out. As we'd had to drive for a while before reaching our start point at Little Cragg, we started a little later than planned. After a brief descent to Skelbow Barn, we began the climb to just south-east of Clougha, where we started our walk along the rounded ridge to Grit Fell. Near Clougha with a view of Ingleborough on the horizon View over Morecombe Bay to southern lakes We made our way on from Grit Fell to Ward's Stone and its two trig points where we had a somewhat chilly lunch. Lunch spot at Ward's Stone's lower trig point Ward's Stone's higher (by one metre) trigpoint at the eastern end has its brass cap and a plaque proclaiming it to be a monument! Brass cap- locked in place as the trig point is a monu...

 Forest of Bowland- Stocks Reservoir The mist was still down and the forecast was for rain in the morning, so we took it easy until lunchtime. Then, at 2pm we set off to the walk around the Stocks Reservoir which was a short drive from The Stable. We were not sure what to expect, but it proved to be a very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours, especially as the light was lovely and the views interesting. Weather worth waiting for! The walk took us through and then over the Hodder via a footbridge, going up to another old railway track and along to the reservoir dam (currently being repaired). On the way up to the railway track (complete with shadow) We finished the circuit by going through woodland as the sun was going down. Sunset over Stocks Reservoir We encountered a flock of curious sheep, attracted by the rattling of Skittles but having no interest in eating any. Back at the car park, we were treated to a fabulous murmuration display as we were preparing to leave, with thou...

 Forest of Bowland- Cross of Greet, Bowland Knotts, Ravens Castle and Raven's Castle The mist was down and remained so for the day, but nonetheless, we managed to get out and do an 8-mile walk. It started out at Cross of Greet Bridge, the old dividing line between Yorkshire and Lancashire. We followed the line of the River Hodder and then up the hill above Catlow Farm and past a barn, Passing Catlow Farm barn working our way up to Bowland Knotts. On the way to Bowland Knotts Bowland Knotts- the views (apparently) are excellent Bowland Knotts views At Bowland Knotts, we followed the wall in the (increasing) mist- it went up and down, not as easy walking as the guidebook suggested. Due to the conditions, we didn't get the views over the Yorkshire Dales and the Three Peaks. We carried on past Copy Nook and Cold Stone to the first Ravens Castle (no apostrophe) and then on to Raven's Castle (with the apostrophe). On the way to Ravens Castle At this point, we were able to cross t...

  Lord's Seat and Barf with The Curmudgeons The second day of the brief trip to The Lakes with Tim, Andrew, Chas, Julian and honorary Curmudgeon Lauren. A shorter walk had been planned but the general consensus was that Barf really should be on the itinerary. The original plan was to leave two cars at the Whinlatter Forest car park and drive everyone up to Scawgill Bridge, leaving the other cars there, so that we could have a one-way walk, rather than a circular one. However, those plans were scuppered as the Whinlatter Pass was closed after the Whinlatter Forest Park car park. We wound our way up through the forest and found ourselves on the summit of Lord's Seat, possibly more by luck than judgement. The mists cleared as we arrived. Chas, Julian and Lauren at the summit of Lord's Seat There was a certain amount of discussion about whether we'd go down to Barf then return to Lord's Seat and go on to Broom Fell and Graystones (on the original route). This would mean...

 Grisedale Pike and Hopegill Head with The Curmudgeons David had a trip to The Lake District with Tim, Andrew, Chas, Julian and honorary Curmudgeon Lauren. The initial plan was to do a lengthy walk taking in lots of Wainwrights but after checking things like sunset time, likely start time (early by Andrew's standards) and book time for the walk, it was decided to take a more modest walk. We started from Braithwaite and worked our way up Kinn and Sleet How (not an appropriate name for such a lovely day) to Grisedale Pike. Skiddaw and the south end of Blencathra On the way up to Sleet How Looking back to Sleet How and Skiddaw in the distance. Andrew conserving energy for descents Outerside and Causey Pike from Grisedale Pike We had a break Grisedale Pike before continuing on to Hopegill Head. Descending from Grisedale Pike and on the way to Hopegill Head (in clouds) Looking back to Grisedale Pike from Hopegill Head Chas and Lauren at the summit of Hopegill Head We caught up with Andr...

  Shining Tor and Erwood The weather forecast was mixed- high winds and some rain but certainly better than the weekend. We decided to go to Shining Tor which always has the option of making it a short walk if the weather turns bad. On the way up to Shining Tor it was blowing a gale so when we got there we continued to the Cat and Fiddle in search of a hot drink. Sadly, they no longer do coffee, but a pit stop in their outdoor seating gave us the time to consider our next moves. Cat and Fiddle stained glass Rather than retrace our steps across the very windy Shining Tor ridge, we decided to walk down to Derbyshire Bridge and then onwards down to Errwood Reservoir. Although this involved walking along the (quiet) road, there were good views and great colours to be enjoyed. On the way down to Derbyshire Bridge At Errwood (where we haven't been for many years) we had a brief stop. Errwood Reservoir Snack time at Errwood After a quick snack and drink, we set off to return to the Pym Ch...

  Hayfield and Lantern Pike The forecast wasn't good, so we chose a local "old faithful" walk with plenty of options and (very important) a friendly café- Lantern Pike from Hayfield. The first section, along the Sett Valley Trail, ends at the Sett Valley Cafe where we stopped for a coffee, toasted teacake and peanut butter crunch- all very nice. The next section follows the Pennine Bridleway up towards Lantern Pike but, as the weather seemed to be deteriorating and it was pretty windy, we skirted the exposed summit. We did get a decent view of Kinder, though. Water was flowing down The Downfall, which had been pretty dry the last few times that we'd been up there. Kinder from below Lantern Pike It had been a good walk so we took the shortest route back to Hayfield, crossing the stream by the refurbished mill at Little Hayfield. Crossing the bridge at Little Hayfield Mill Even though it was a relatively modest walk, we were glad to have got out for a walk of 4.3 miles,...

  Edale, Mam Tor, Rushup Edge and Chapel Gate The forecast was for a dry day- and so it was until we had just got back to the car at the end of our walk! After a trip to the (newly revamped) Penny Pot, we walked up to Hollins Cross and then up to Mam Tor. Approaching Hollins Cross; Kinder in the background The sun on Lose Hill The last time we did this, the mist was down so it was great to have panoramic views all around. There were a lot of walkers out today on Mam Tor, but as soon as we crossed over the road to Rushup Edge, the people melted away and we had the place virtually to ourselves. Ascending Rushup Edge, Mam Tor in background The Great Ridge from Lord's Seat, summit of Rushup Edge We branched off rightwards a bit after Lord's Seat and this led us down to the Chapel Gate path. From here the route down is great, not as steep as some of the other paths and it was a way that we had not gone down for ages. Part way across the fields to Manor House Farm, we stopped for som...