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" Mellbreak on a Hot Day, plus Dee and John "

Date & start time:    Tuesday / Wednesday   23rd - 24th July, 2019

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

Places visited :         Mellbreak North Top and Crummock Water.

1st Walk details :     3.6 miles, 1350 feet of ascent, 1 hours 45 mins.

2nd Walk details :     2 miles, negligible ascent, 1 hour.

Highest point :          Mellbreak North top 1654 ft - 509 m.

Walked with :            Myself and our dogs, Dylan and Dougal.  With Ann, Dee and John next day.

Weather :                    Hot and not quite so hot.

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

 

Two walks, the first with the dogs on possibly the hottest day of the year

and one the following day when Dee and John travelled over from Keswick to see us. 

It's been far too long since we've met with them and fortunately the weather the 2nd day was cooler for their walk.

" Lazing on a sunny afternoon . . . in the summertime "

But by late afternoon they were up and wanting a walk if I found myself anywhere near their collars and leads.

On a hot day there's nothing like a swim in the lake or the local river at Harry's Pool.

We set off towards Mellbreak and the pool which can be found in the valley between Mellbreak and Hen Comb.

The new flowers of the season are delicate blue harebells.
Negativism . . . they can't agree which way to go.

It is possibly the hottest day yet but there is a slight breeze that the photo doesn't show.

What it doesn't tell you as well . . . is that it was a hot breeze that hardly evaporates the perspiration.

- - - o o o - - -

 

I decide to have a go at climbing the mountain

as the breeze should be cooler

as we climb up out of the valley.

 

 

The views today were good too

but I only had my phone with me

hence the slightly soft focus

of this set of pictures.

 

 

- - - o o o - - -

Climbing the northern end of the fell . . . with views down to Loweswater and the Solway.

- - - o o o - - -

 

The dogs had searched out and found

each and every one of the water holes and springs

that still hold water on the way up

( hence the muddy feet of my companions).

 

 

After a warm climb we reach more level ground

with the summit cairn now within grasp.

 

 

- - - o o o - - -

The contents of the small water bottle I brought was shared three ways.

On the summit the indentation on the top of my hat served as a small water bowl for what was left after the climb.

The view ahead as we make our way down to the saddle in the middle of the fell.

All the high fells are there in the panorama ahead.

No southern summit bid today . . . as we turn and make our way down the sloping traverse path

following the Mosedale Beck back down the valley towards a certain pool.

The Mosedale Holly stands sentinel amongst the bracken below.
On the fellside colour is provided by the gorse and heather.
   

- - - o o o - - -

 

 

A new fence post but no gate

on the path down to Harry's Pool.

 

The pool is deep enough to be swimmable

and a rather dubious set of stepping stones

hold back the water and allows you to cross if you want.

 

The path that continues up the other side

will take you on towards Hen Comb.

 

 

- - - o o o - - -

With two wet dogs we set off home . . . after having been out rather longer than planned.

- - - o o o - - -

Next day the weather was cooler after heavy overnight rain.

Dee and John were over for the afternoon and evening . . .
. . . and the conditions were actually more pleasant for the walk.

We headed down to the side of Crummock Water this time.

The water level is surprisingly high following the rain and the fence is further underwater than a few days ago.

- - - o o o - - -

 

This was the comparative picture from a few days ago.

At that time it was low enough to discern

the old boat landing out by the end of the fence.

 

It was covered when they raised the level of the lake

by six feet or so in order to extract drinking water.

 

 

 - - - o o o - - -

 

That day I waded out and stood on the rather slippery slabs

and chanced my balance as I pointed the camera downward.

 

The darker water to the left of the slabs

was two or three feet deeper as befits a landing stage

suitable for Victorian Ladies and Gents

to alight from their rowing boats.

- - - o o o - - -

Today though . . . the water would be almost waist deep . . . no need for another picture !

We stop by the small beach and the fallen pines to let the dogs play.

The disadvantage of playing (in the water) is that they come out wet !

Homeward now through the reeds and rushes . . . along the boardwalk, well at least part of it.

More harebells as we reached the drier ground . . .
. . . which flank the walls with the 'stone' field on the other side.

Looking across the more marshy ground towards Mellbreak Cottage and High Park houses.

The rest of the views you know, or can imagine, as we cross the fields back to a waiting pot of tea and fresh Welsh Cakes at home.

- - - o o o - - -

 

Technical note: Pictures taken with either Ann's Panasonic Lumix TZ60, or my iPhone 6s camera

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

This site best viewed with . . . re-hydration . . . be it a water bottle, a teapot or even (but not on this occasion) a pub visit.

Go to Top . . . © RmH . . . Email me here

Previous walk - 20-23rd July - Hilton in Loweswater

A previous time up here - 3rd March 2008 A local walk with Jo, Angie and David

Next walk - 26th July - The Moon and Garden