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" Under Mellbreak "

Date & start time:    Sunday 10th March, 2019, and the five days leading up to it.

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

Places visited :         The Paddock, Kirkhead and Mosedale then back home.

Walk details :             2.7 miles, 550 feet of ascent, 1 hour and a bit.

Highest point :          Under Mellbreak on the start of the traverse path.

Walked with :             Myself and our dogs Dylan and Dougal.

Weather :                    Variable to say the least.

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number PU 100034184.

 

Photos of the last few days as the weather changes and changes back several times, no two days the same. 

For the walk this time I climb towards Mellbreak but cut down to the right into Mosedale for a view of the holly tree

and then home to a surprise next morning.

It's mid-morning . . . are you two going to sleep in all day ?

- - - o o o - - -

 

A quick update with two pictures from The Paddock.

 

The daffodils are in flower

and a quick check of the European Cornas Mas cherry

shows the first buds starting to open into

the classic yellow flowers.

 

 

We've had more frog spawn laid in the pond.

As well as the bunches of the previous eggs

on the left by the water's edge

there are lots of new eggs in slightly deeper water

under the water weed,

about two foot further into the pond itself.

 

- - - o o o - - -

New 'mud coloured' frogs spawn in the deeper water.

A sudden change of water level, or was it a dog, that disturbed the clarity of the water and gave them a muddy dusting.

On Thursday we had a wet and grotty day but as so often happens, it improved in the late afternoon.

The rain clouds had moved away and let the sun through, here onto the face of Grasmoor.

The sun breaking through the gap behind Mellbreak lights the summit of Rannerdale Knotts.

A sudden intensity of the light encourages me take the same shot again just a few moments later.

After sunset we were left with grey fells but above them the most subtle of pink clouds above.

- - - o o o - - -

The weather this week has been rather damp but on Saturday I managed a walk between showers.

Often Ann or I walk the dogs, uncertain of the exact route till the mood takes one direction or another.

Today I fancied walking up to the flanks of Mellbreak, and then skirt over the bracken slopes into Mosedale

which are out of sight behind the Kirk Head trees alongside the farm road.

The woodland below Kirk Head . . . several wind-blown trees have fallen into the river.

Through there somewhere are old mine shafts or addits which were dug in search of Loweswater's lead reserves.

( In my haste to get out in the sunshine I forgot the camera so these are phone pictures.)

I'm wrapped up against a cool and damp breeze

but it's hat and gloves into the pockets as the wind drops and the sun comes out.
Tree movement and sheep have collapsed the wall.
Mellbreak looking fine in the sunshine.
   

Before I reach the woods I notice that Grasmoor is now clear of cloud.
Grasmoor above Low Park.`
The firebreak that leads up towards the main climb.

I head up the fire break onto the bracken and heather covered flanks of Mellbreak, leaving the larch woodland below.

Across the way the sun throws lovely light on the snows of Sand Hill and Hopegill Head.

An on-camera panorama from higher up the same path before I branch off to the right.

There are fresh colours on the screes of Mellbreak, either due to people or heavy rain moving stones on the paths.

A stop at the rocky outcrop for a second, slightly narrower panoramic photo

Old enclosures high up on Mellbreak's slopes.

I believe these were study spots to show the effect of protection from sheep grazing.  Many are now defunct as the fences have decayed.

This particular one has managed to protect a seedling which has grown into a small birch tree.

Up at this height I drift onto the path that will start to traverses the scree slope

as it heads reasonably gently up to the saddle of the twin peaked fell.

Sunlight on Mosedale Beck as it meanders down towards Harry's Pool and the woods.

Looking into the sun it seems I shook the phone using the stylus as the gloves were back on !

Looking back at Darling Fell and Low Fell

After a brief start onto the scree I leave the path and head down to the valley on a rather indistinct sheep trod.

We join with the main valley track, the Ennerdale bridleway, down at the water tank, and walk on till we see the holly tree.

The grass has seemingly changed colour as the sunshine has gone.

In fact, as well as losing the sun, I lost not only the fine weather but also the battery power of the phone.

The return walk back down the Kirkhead track ended up with a slight wetting from a shower and no photos !

Still the dogs had had a good run . . . and were now totally relaxed in front of the fire.

For a change, Dylan rests his head on Dougal's soft underbelly . . . hope nothing pokes in his ear !!

- - - o o o - - -

After a damp Saturday morning which turned briefly to a sunny afternoon,

it was onward to a big Sunday surprise today.

I thought I couldn't hear the rain on the windows.

Okay it was after a lie-in but this was the view at just short of eleven am.

Heavy snow down to valley level but it is to be followed by milder conditions apparently so it won't last too long. 

At least I don't have the incentive to get out and work in the garden in this weather . . . so that will help my back !

"Time for a relaxing cup of coffee" I think.

- - - o o o - - -

Technical note: Pictures taken with either Ann's Panasonic Lumix TZ60, or my Panasonic Lumix Gx8 Camera.

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

This site best viewed with . . . a new bottle of milk in the fridge.

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Previous walk - 27th Feb - 4th March The Flass Woods Round

A previous time up here - 2nd April 2007 Last one to the tree is a sissy

Next walk - 10th March Pining after the Snow