Beautiful sunshine finds us on a relatively flat walk up the Langstrath Valley, but don't underestimate the walk

as the going underfoot is often rocky and the path covered by river washed stones from millennia past. 

Some other brave folk took a dip in the river at Black Moss Pot, a classic place for a swim !

We're heading out of the valley . . .

so here's a classic "leaving the valley" shot of the Buttermere Pines.

Our start point is by a different red phone box . . . this time the one in Stonethwaite.

You see clearly it as you approach but it is not so visible from some angles !

One of the classic local stone houses,

but this one appears to be made of part slate, part river-washed stone.

Historic information 'written in stone' on the barn door.

A magnificent magnolia tree as we walk up towards the hotel.

Teas and ice cream are also available from an alternative cottage in the village.

A pollarded willow alongside the public footpath through the fields.

You can also walk along the parallel farm track up the valley, but we'll do that on the way back.

The footpath takes us through the campsite

which is quieter now after a busy weekend (by the look of the full rubbish bins).

Ahead, getting larger in appearance as we get closer . . . Eagle Crag.

 Walking up the track, we reach the first foot bridge over Langstrath Beck.

It's nice to do a slightly circular walk in the valley, up one side and down the other . . . which direction shall it be today ?

Looks like we've crossed the bridge !

Across the way is Johnny House, an old farm alongside the main track.  We'll walk next to it on the way back.

	- - - o o o  - - -   It was quiet for Easter Week and we only met one local on the whole of this section. This was a first year Herdwick sheep, to young to be in lamb this season.   - - - o o o - - -

Blea Rock is an impressive boulder and one well worth climbing up the bank to appreciate more fully.

It has a commanding  view of the valley  . . . and a lovely hairdo of heather upon its flat top !

The Langstrath means "The long valley" in Norse and so far we've barely done two miles

of the five and a half miles to Angle Tarn and Esk Pike from Stonethwaite away in the distance.

Below Dougal now was the object of our desire, Black Moss Pot.

- - - o o o - - -   The dramatic cleft in the rock has been cut by the river and deepened by a gradually receding waterfall (we're talking millennia here).   It has been made famous by artists like Heaton Cooper and is a favourite spot in the valley for swimming on a nice day. The pool within the cleft is deep enough to encourage folk to jump from the banks into the water below.   We need to cross the river and half expected a bridge for our convenience, but that is another mile further up on the Stake Pass route over to Langdale.   - - - o o o - - -

The river was easily crossed in the shallows above the falls, due to the current low river levels.

There was someone who fancied a dip . . .	. . . and he signaled to his friend to take a picture.

I did likewise . . . hold your cursor over the picture, first left then right, to replay the action.

The big splash caused hardly a ripple further downstream . . .	. . .  as we started on our way back down the valley.

You would think the track would be the easier route, but in fact walking over the lose stones that covered it were quite hard work at times.

Still, the view ahead was nice as we walked along and the colours were changing continually as the clouds cast moving shadows on the fells.

High Crag at the turn of the valley was in shade which made it look quite dark.

A few minutes later the clouds moved on and colour was restored to the scene.

Johnny House alongside the track, with the lower slopes of Eagle Crag on the other side.

Back at the bridge after completing the valley's circular route.	We regain our outward track and Dougal waits by the gate.

Rather than follow close by the river, we stay on the farm track this time and pass close by . . .

Tilly's Barn

" Much more than a camping barn it's an ideal base for walkers and climbers"  the website tells me.

Past the campsite and soon back  to the houses and hotel in the village of Stonethwaite.

They may not be selling food at this time of day . . .	. . . but they are serving refreshments.

The beer quickly demolished, better drink the tea before someone else does !

A sweet little lamb . . . butter wouldn't melt in its mouth . . . but the dear thing certainly melted in mine !!