" Fellbarrow Low Fell with Joan " at EveryTrail
 

[ Alter the settings to zoom or change the Map, use Everytrail to download the Gps route ]

 

Rachel and Jeff were over for the afternoon and a local walk was chosen.

Joan joined us for the walk and later prepared a lovely evening meal for everyone afterwards.

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, lets drive the cars over to Thackthwaite and meet up at the red letter box at the lane-end.

The track to Fellbarrow and Low Fell, starting adjacent to Galloway Farm on the map.

Today's team . . . Joan, Jeff, Rachel and Ann, plus the four dogs.

Herdwicks in the field ahead of us.

The stile towards the top of the fields where we get a great view all the way up the valley to Great Gable and Scafell Pike.

Recent wall repairs may mean they will reinstate the larger farm gate soon . . . it has been damaged for a while.

Rather than a direct assault on Fellbarrow from the bridleway

we stay close to the repaired 'out-take' wall and head over towards Broadmoor Hill on the extreme right.

We'll then walk the skyline (right to left) to reach Fellbarrow summit.

First a stream crossing by the old larch trees.

Three of the four dogs take the opportunity to cool down in the stream.

Looking back at that extended view of the High Fells with Hopegill, Whiteside and Grasmoor to the left.

Lorton Valley through the trees as we start to head up the hilside.

Unusual meadow flowers, Forget-me-not's, by the wall next to Broadmoor Hill.

Lovers of damp places but unusual on the fells we normally walk.

Joan leads the way, searching for gaps in the bracken to make the next part of our ascent easier.

Old trees which have survived many a storm across the ridge of Fellbarrow.

We look north up the od track to Hatteringill Farm, all that remains now is a ruin on the left.

It was to that distant tree that Dylan walked on his first outing back in April this year.

He's grown a lot since then and is now insisting on climbing the ladder stiles himself.

It looks as if Harry is suffering a little vertigo . . . check out the body language.

The final ascent to the summit of Fellbarrow passes a delightful patch of Cotton Grass.

Criffel can just be seen in the distance across the Solway Firth.

There was lots of Cuckoo Spit issuing from the stems of some of the coarser grasses.

" Blobs of white frothy liquid form on plant stems.

A small pale insect lives inside the froth but otherwise has no connection with the cuckoo." . . . RHS

A lone larch that has succumbed to old age I fear.

There's a great view across to Hopegill Head as we climb up to the cairn.

The wider picture.

" King of the Castle " and Dylan's latest Wainwright Fell summited in style.

Group photo time . . . Rachel, Jeff, Joan and myself with the four dogs.

From the top there's a great view all round . . . ahead is Low Fell, our next summit.

Click here or on the photo above for a Loweswatercam 360 degree annotated panorama.

Setting off south . . . we'll skirt across the side of Smithy Fell

heading for the more usual gate . . . at the top of the dark path up from the valley on  the left

A reverse of the previous photo as we enter a rare patch of shade.

Back in the sun and heading for Low Fell.

The last but one false summit before Low Fell top is finally seen.

Summit cairn, sheep droppings and view of the Whinlatter Fells . . . with Skiddaw beyond.

Another fence and another stile.

It is lovely the way the lambs at this time of year develop markings that look almost like sunglasses.

This cairn marks the summit of the southern end of the fell . . .

. . . but fifty yards further on, a lower cairn marks a much better viewpoint.

Time to sit and enjoy the view . . . Jeff, Breeze, Rachel and Wattie (Watson).

" If everyone is stopping then I might as well take a nap." . . . Dylan.

Zooming in on the view and the houses below.

Joan's home is bottom left . . . our home is upper right . . . either end of the same curved wall.

This is Wattie . . . can you guess the literary connection between these two photos ?

[ The answer can be found below the next picture . . . so you can't cheat ! ]

In the hot weather a collapsible dog's water bowl has been put to good use several times.

[  The answer is "Elementary my dear Watson" . . . said Sherlock ... Holmes ]

Dylan is first up onto the rock that we pass close to on the way down the steep end of the fell.

But don't worry . . . there's life in the old dog yet !

Did I say it was steep ?

The concentration on the faces of my fellow walkers says it all.

It has been a good year for flowers this year,

and the season's dominant flora has changed from snowdrops and primroses to bluebells and now foxgloves as prominent species.

Almost down and another lovely patch of flowers against a backdrop of Mellbreak and Hen Comb.

A final look back at the steep end of Low Fell that we had just descended.

Destination achieved . . . this is Foulsyke House . . . with table and chairs waiting.

A quick view from Joan's lovely garden at the surrounding fells.

[ I'd show you the drinks that have just arrived on the table by the cottage . . . but it would just make you jealous.]

A seasonal view of Great Gable from the front garden gate.

Time moved on, as did the conversation, and soon it was time for us all to move inside

for a delightful meal to round off a lovely walking day.

- - - o o o - - -