Oak Cottage - Loweswater

Retreat to the quiet of the Western Lakes

The Cottage, and  the view up the Buttermere Valley
Oak Cottage homepage.

 

 

 

 

Date : Tuesday 19th April 2005. 2 pm start.

Location : Castle Crag in the Borrowdale Valley, Cumbria. Uk.

Occasion : An afternoon walk on a fine day, with Ann and the dogs.

Walk details : 3 miles, 960 ft of ascent from Rosthwaite, in search of Milligan Dalton's Cave.

Weather : Fine and dry, Blue skies all the way.

 

Photo: The Flock Inn, B& B and Tearooms, Rosthwaite.

Well, we decided to give Bethan a break from the rigours of tearing around the garden, climbing fences and generally jumping from one level to another. As she was spayed a week ago, we were only taking her on gentle walks, but any walk would be easier than her garden gymnastics.

So in view of the lovely weather we opted for a trip to Borrowdale and a not too strenuous ascent of the lovely Castle Crag. We set off up the valley, Buttermere and the sounding fells were clear crystal clear.

We enjoyed it so much that when we reached Gatesgarth at the head of the valley, we turned around and drove all the way back to Loweswater and started the whole journey again ! Stretching the truth a bit there, as it was at that point that we had discovered we had forgotten to bring any money with us, hence our return. For those that know us well, this wasn't an unusual occurrence !!

We needed cash as we were treating ourselves to a delicious lunch of soup and home-made scone at The Flock Inn,

We sat in their delightful terrace garden.and enjoyed this view - almost as much as the soup and scones !

After lunch we took the lane across the valley from the village, catching a brief glimpse of Skiddaw on the way.

The lambs are growing fast now due to the relatively mild spring.

Crossing New Bridge Bethan reaches up to see the view.

Harry is large enough to just look over !

We skirted round the base of Castle Crag following the river, then headed up into the woods on the northern side in search of Milligan Dalton's Cave

He was a local folk hero and "Professor of Adventure" (1867 - 1947) who rejected London city living in favour of a simple life in the countryside.

To find it, look for this first arched quarry on the crag's north east side and follow the workings upward.

The cave is part of the old abandoned workings several hundred feet up the hillside.

   
The lower of the two caves high on the hill.
The top cave and "bedroom".
   
   
"Don't waste worries . . . . jump to conclusions ".
Inscription carved by Milligan himself. (MD on right)

 

Having successfully found the cave we then crossed round the hill to regain the path to Castle Crag.

On the way the dogs found a fine viewpoint . . .

The view was superb. Skiddaw was shining in a thin snowy mantle across a blue Derwent Water.

It was then a case of rejoining the Grange path in order to climb to the summit.

The stream was crossed just below this small waterfall.

Rejoining the path behind the crag.

Climbing up the open scree that was the old quarry tailings.

This is always a delight, as it involves climbing along the 'tinkling' slates all the way up.

A happy lady on top of the fell.

Skiddaw behind.

Bright sunny skies giving a slight haze to the south.

High Doat in the middle distance with Great End behind.

Summit trees of Castle Crag.

High Raise over Bessyboot in the background.

   

In the summit quarry, a collection of finely arranged slates .

Not only art but a practical sculpture.

The way home started here, once we had enjoyed this fine view down into Borrowdale.

 

Technical note: Pictures taken with a Canon IXUS 400 Digital camera.

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

This site best viewed . . . after soup and cheese scones in the Flock Inn.

Go to Top . . . Home page . . . Go To Archive 2005

© RmH . . . Email me here