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" Local Days - End of May "

Date & start time:      23rd May - 6th June 2021.

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

Places visited (1) :     Scale Hill Bluebells with Jonathon & Alison.

Places visited (2) :     Crummock Water with Sophie, Chris and Bracken.

Places visited (3) :     Low Fell with Pat.

Walk details :              Various walks and other visitors along the way.

Highest point :           Chatting with friends and walking with them to lovely local places.

Walked with :             Jonathon & Alison, Pat and the dogs, Dylan and Dougal.

Weather :                    Walk pictures were all sunny but there were cloudy times in between.

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A miscellany this time, reflecting the busy life of Loweswater, as seen from my personal perspective.

I've been fortunate to have several major fell walks with other folk during this time, but these outings were great too but in a subtly different way.

I'll come to the walks in due course but let's start with a beer.

- - - o o o - - -

 

A west Cumbrian man has just completed a personal challenge to run a marathon . . .

but then Gary McKee went the extra distance and set himself the task of running 

110 marathons in 110 days.

He was raising money for Hospice at Home West Cumbria and 

Macmillan Cancer Support Cumbria.   Gary has run to help cancer sufferers

ever since his father, Victor, was diagnosed with the disease.

 

He called to my neighbour's house for a photo shoot and a live YouTube chat.

The beer was a promotional venture by Gary and Ennerdale Brewery.

To sponsor Gary McKee, visit virginmoneygiving.com/GaryMcKee

 

- - - o o o - - -

Jonathon and Gary with members of Gary's family.

- - - o o o - - -

That afternoon, after Gary had left, I enjoyed a walk with Jonathon and Alison up on to Brackenthwaite Hows (Scale Hill). 

This was the view towards Lanthwaite Green and Grasmoor after we had walked up through Lanthwaite Woods.

We took the less frequented paths around the side of this little fell to see the bluebells.

The intense display in places was equal to that of Rannerdale Valley.

From the Buttermere Road the display can be seen high above the stone wall

but it is only once you get up here that the full beauty of the display becomes evident.

A purple mist covers the slopes.

The only tracks are faint and difficult to follow but they did take us carefully onward through the display.

As we climb higher, the slopes of Whiteside added to the beauty.
My neighbours enjoying the unexpected display.

Trying to get both dogs looking at the camera as well was impossible today.

Looking up the valley to the distant Buttermere Fells of High Crag, High Stile and Red Pike.

Up on the more level ground now and heading for the slightly higher northern end of the hill.

Looking back . . . then again looking forward . . . as we were about to turn and head up to the true summit.

This area was planted with tree saplings a few years back

but the north facing aspect hasn't promoted their growth compared to those on the sunnier side of the fell.

The bluebells however, continue to do well.

On the top of Scale Hill now and enjoying all this vantage point has to offer.

There's a full 360 panorama on other occasions but today I'll just concentrate on the view over our hamlet of Loweswater.

Leading the way home . . . the dog in the distance that is, not my companions.

The larch woodlands high above the Scale Hill car park.

Down the direct and slightly steeper path off the summit.

Once the rock steps were negotiated the path became easier . . . and a short road walk would then complete the journey home.

- - - o o o - - -

- - - o o o - - -

 

 

Friends from Lamplugh, Sophie and Chris,

called by a few days later

now that their puppy Bracken is allowed out to play.

 

Don't be confused . . .

this isn't Dougal and Dylan, but Bracken and Dougal.

The young puppy is growing quickly

and will soon be turning into a real teenage bundle of energy.

 

Time for a local walk to try and work some of it off.

 

- - - o o o - - -

First a little rough and tumble in the garden.

Then we take all three dogs down to the lake.

Playing with the ball as we walk alongside the lake.

Dougal's idea of playing however doesn't include much sharing !

The return route alongside Park Beck . . .

. . . where Bracken follows Dougal into the river and swims for the first time.

I though my two were fairly lively, but have a young puppy under your feet is a joy I've not had for a year or two.

- - - o o o - - -

 A third local walk was as a result of a visit by Pat, who was one of Ann's oldest friends.

She's up for a few days holiday, staying at her chalet near Cockermouth, and she wanted to climb Low Fell.

It was such lovely weather at the beginning of June that we decided to walk from the house rather than drive to Thackthwaite first.

This meant it was a longer walk . . . but we did enjoy the views of Whiteside and Grasmoor from Pottergill Farm.

Just my phone for this walk, but the weather is so nice that the old iPhone 6 camera did okay.

Here is our first high level view of Crummock once we had finished the climb up the zig-zags from Thackthwaite.

Pat is really pleased to climb this fell as it reminds her of her teenage days spent in the valley.

She had loads of stories about growing up in Workington, before she got married and moved to Nottinghamshire.

Pat wanted to climb to the summit and also visit the Lonesome Pine.

Well who am I to say no on a day like this ?

Just visible by the houses in the last picture, but a sight we didn't fully appreciate it till we got close.

This lovely Hawthorn hedge was in full bloom as we walked back towards the cottage.

- - - o o o - - -

A year or so of sometimes harsh Loweswater weather

and the fact that it is an organic sculpture,

meant that it was time to give Postman Pat a lick of new paint.

Where is it to be found ?

On the driveway to The Old Post Office Loweswater, of course !

( Photo by Sandy . . .with thanks )

- - - o o o - - -

Finally a photo of another visitor to Oak Cottage . . . life for me is nothing if not busy !

On behalf of Teresa & myself many thanks for your hospitality on Friday. It was very kind of you. I know in the past you have said to knock if passing, but so pleased we took the opportunity this time . It was so nice to meet you and the delightful dogs in person after so many years viewing your website and purchasing your calendars.
Keep well & take care, kind regards,
Paul & Teresa

It was my pleasure too Paul . . . thanks for calling by and thanks for the photo . . . RmH

- - - o o o - - -

 

Technical note: Pictures generally taken with my phone or Panasonic Lumix TZ60 Camera.

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

This site best viewed with . . . the changing seasons and their flowers and friends to view them with.

Go to Home Page . . . © RmH . . . Email me here

Previous walk - 21st May 2021 - Loweswater Blue

A previous time up here - 4th May - Scale Hill Bluebells and Visitors     (two years ago)

Next walk - 26th May Pike O'Blisco and Keep Going