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Date & start time: Thursday 6th July 2009. 11 am start.

Location of Start : The red phone box, Loweswater , Cumbria, Uk ( NY 143 211 )

Places visited : Kirkhead, Mosedale, Scale Force, Low Ling Crag, High Park, Low Park and home.

Walk details : 6.6 mls, 1000 undulating feet, 5 hrs 30 mins incl lunch and a swim.

Highest point : Back of Mellbreak 950 ft ( 292m )

Walked with : Jayne, Ann and our dogs, Harry and Bethan.

Weather : A beautiful summer day, sunny with a gentle breeze.

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 Around Mellbreak at low level

Map created by EveryTrail

 

It was a beautiful day and Jayne was looking for a local walk around the base of Mellbreak.

With the sad loss this week of her much loved, long term canine companion Ollie, she asked to borrow our dogs in order not to walk alone.

She kindly allowed us to join in . . . at least that's what she told us to say !

- - - o o o - - -

At the far end of Mellbreak is Scale Force, the highest falls in the Lakes which was a great place for lunch on this sunny day

. . . and Ling Crag, a great place for a rather cold swim three quarters of the way around the walk.

The start at the red phone box, Loweswater , Cumbria, Uk ( NY 143 211 ).

The continued existence of this landmark as a working phone box is in doubt due to it's un-profitability, so the village has started investigations as to how to retain it especially as mobile reception locally is not good.

I t is a 'Grade 2 listed building' so could not be removed easily, but that of course wouldn't protect the phone line and the phone service the public would expect when they see it standing by the car park. We must make some enquiries this week to find out more . . .

Stop Press: I've found out about the "BT Adopt a Kiosk Sceme" (click here for details)

[ Seems like BT will only talk to the Local Authority or Parish Council rather than private individuals ]

- - - o o o - - -

So on with the walk . . .

Jayne attempts open bribery at the start of the walk in order to gain favour with Harry and Bethan

A great day for a walk, as we look back down the Lorton Valley.

The distant valley is Whinlatter and in it, the road to Keswick which climbs up and over the Whinlatter Pass.

[ The gentleman in red we would stop and chat to later on ]

We diverted from the valley track down to the pool where the Hen Comb path crosses Mosedale Beck.

We know this as 'Harry's Pool' as he enjoys swimming in it as often as possible.

Two dogs and two sticks allows Bethan to enjoy a swim too.

" Last time it was dog treats, this offering seems a little more like a brick . . . I'm confused ! "

The bracken is high in the valley, as it is over many places in the Lakes.

I wonder if and when something will be done about it, as the choking mono-culture of this weed cannot be good for environmental diversity.

As we walked up the valley we caught up with the gentleman and young girl that we saw earlier.

They introduced themselves as Bob and Leilani. They are over from the States and staying at Buttermere for an extended holiday.

Good to meet you both.

A kestrel hovers high above Mellbreak
A golden ringed dragon fly pauses on the path.

Towards the top of the valley is the Mosedale Holly.

Beyond the flat, rather boggy area is the turn in the valley that leads up to Floutern Pass

Someone has provided a single plank crossing of a small stream on our path round the side of Mellbreak.

Bethan, full of confidence, walks the plank . . . but Harry the wimp, can't cope with bridges and refused to join her for the photo !

The Floutern Pass and the pointed Floutern Cop as we turn for Scale Force.

The darker summit is Great Borne.

Having crossed the Black Beck stream at the rear of Mellbreak we can now enjoy a new vista down into the Buttermere Valley.

The distant fells are Grasmoor to the left and Robinson to the right.

The Newlands Pass road heads out of Buttermere Village in the trees near the centre of the photo.

Jayne and Ann reach the bridge at Scale Force . . . the waterfall is hidden in the trees to the right.

Getting your priorities right . . . first cool down on this warm day.

- - - o o o - - -

Taking pictures of Scale Force is always difficult

due to it being hidden in a deep cleft in the rock.

 

Taking pictures into the sun is also a problem.

 

When the two combine it's always a bit hit and miss

but I was quite pleased with this photo.

 

Jayne adds scale to Scale Force

as the sunshine reflects off the spray that

surrounds the high falls.

- - - o o o - - -

After a dip into the lunchbox we crossed the bridge again to explore the view.

"Follow the red brick road" up to Red Pike, but we would retrace our steps across the bridge.

Plenty of time to chat today.
Whiteless Pike through the gate to Buttermere.

The Rowan Trees are in full fruit early this season.

Walking down to Crummock, we pass through the old settlement and close to this more modern sheep fold.

Honister Crags, Fleetwith Pike, Grey Knotts and Brandreth at the head of the valley.

The low angle of the photo hides the fact that there's another lake in the valley beyond the top end of Crummock Water.

Sunshine abounds, especially on two swimmers and their canoe at Low Ling Crag.

Rannerdale Farm across the lake from the top of Low Ling Crag.

The canoeist, with his companion in tow behind, have set off and are now almost half way back to Hawes Point opposite.

The rocks alongside the road embankment are a favourite jumping off point for a group of swimmers.

Wood House further up the lake.

Harry reckons it's time for a swim.

 
" Are you joining me ? "
Well I've brought my bathers.
Oooh . . . it's not quite warm enough for me.

Harry and I doing "doggy paddle" round Ling Crag.

A fast jet passes close overhead . . .
. . . and disappears up the valley towards Fleetwith.

Once I was dried and dressed, we were on the way again.

Half way down the path we turned for a view back of the rippled reflection of Rannerdale Knotts and Whiteside.

Fleetwith and the head of the valley are now receding into the distance.

Through the fell gate near the northern end of Crummock Water

Jayne and Ann throw sticks for Harry again . . . and again . . . and again !

Nearing home, this old Hawthorn reflects the passing of time in it's rather gnarled trunk.

Grasmoor above the wall of the lane, with a new crop of Rose Hips.

The seasons are changing slowly . . .
. . . and the first of the Blackberries are staring to ripen.

Just time for tea I think, before Jayne makes her way home to Cockermouth at the end of another good walk.

- - - o o o - - -

 

Technical note: Pictures taken with with Ann's Cannon 75 or my Cannon G7 Digital camera.

Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder.

This site best viewed with . . . someone else suggesting the route.

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Previous walk - Monday 3rd August 2009 Dale Head to Buttermere

A previous time up here - 29th May 2003 Scale Force, a Voluntary Wardens guided walk

Next walk - Friday 7th August 2009 Latrigg with John & Dee