Just a dog walk today, but my local dog walks aren't normally
this long.
I set off thinking it was cold and damp and came home some
time later thinking that it wasn't such a bad day after all.
My route was decided as I went along, choosing paths I had
not done before or going for combinations that were new.
The 25th of Feb morning found snow on the high
fells after a night of rain and low temperatures in the valley.
After lunch it was time to walk the dogs . .
.they don't seem to mind where they go but I sometimes do.
Where local could I go that would be interesting
and, if possible, different from normal ?
I'll make a start at the red phone box of course
. . . that saves using the car at least.
To give you a clue, I'll set off towards Foulsyke.
A quick picture like this means I've not planned
anything in advance !
Ahead is Foulsyke House nestling under Low Fell.
I think I'll head up to the Matterhorn Rock
which is on the 1000 ft contour on the left hand flank of the
fell.
Between the first two fields I see some new
earthworks in the adjacent field.
There's a plan to build another wildlife pond
just downstream of the old fish pond on this side of the wall.
These are the sort of thing being built in co-operation
of the West Cumbrian
Rivers Trust.
These two pools were part of a group of
four built here last year, in the damp ground behind Foulsyke
and Wood End Houses.
I've climbed above Whinney Ridding Woods and
heading for the footpath
that traverses round from the Lonesome Pine
further around the fell.
First sight of the Matterhorn Rock seen on the
level ground on the left.
However my priorities change when I look at
the southern end of Low Fell.
I realised that I very rarely climb up
to the upper viewpoint and have never climbed any path directly
up alongside the fence line.
That means a steep climb and I knuckle down
into exerting some energy.
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- - - o o o - - -
Well above the pine tree now
and as I look down I notice
I'm well above the circular sheepfold below.
In the valley, the Oak Bank Farm development
has also seemed to have added a wildlife pond
on the low ground below the
barn conversion complex.
- - - o o o - - -
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I leave the fence line and strike out for the
top.
Two walkers climbed up the steep path from Pottergill
and head for the true top of Low Fell.
Locally here I pass a small dry stone wall which
must act as a shelter wall for the upland sheep, before climbing
the last few feet to my summit.
The Matterhorn Rock below is found on the 1000
ft contour,
the snow line across the way sits nearer the
2000 foot height line on the distant fells.
We sit briefly at the southern viewpoint, having
arrived at a popular spot but by a different route.
I walk the short distance to the highpoint of
this end of Low Fell.
From here we get a good view of Loweswater and
perfect view of the Loweswater Pheasant.
Hold your cursor over the photo to see the outline
(may not work on some computers, sorry).
From the top I pass on a walk over to the Low
Fell top,
in favour of a circular route down and around
to the southern end of Low Fell to my original walk target.
This will take me down to the Crabtree Beck
Valley where there are unusual white bags and guys dragging
them about by hand . . . interesting !
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I walk down the steep path alongside a new fence
and reach the beck by a newly installed stile.
On it is a nameplate announcing the Low Fell Nature
Reserve.
Even more interesting !!
- - - o o o - - -
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The guys are probably planting trees but they
are too far away to be certain . . . I'll try and find out what's
happening.
Meanwhile I head downstream between Low Fell
and Darling Fell, with the view of Carling Knott dominating
the distance.
The beck enters the woods but I break off left
for a short climb back up to that illusive 1000 ft contour.
The original idea for the walk has materialised,
probably a good 40 minutes later than planned.
The dogs need little encouragement to clamber
up for their photo !
The sunshine on Loweswater is strong enough
to make the lake's surface shine.
However the breeze is still rather cold and
damp as the wind blows off the high fells.
The big square house is the Loweswater Vicarage,
down on the valley road . . .
. . . and you can see my house from here, all
achieved without any road miles !
[ You can also get an idea of the rainfall we've
had recently by the size of "Puffin Tarn" that has
gathered in the field beyond.]
- - - o o o - - -
The track from the pine,
contouring along part way up the fell, towards Thackthwaite.
Soon I cross by another new fence with the same plaque.
They've built a solid stile on the fence line, complete
with dog gate.
Thanks very much from me and them.
- - - o o o - - -
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The footpath joins the public right of way down
from Low Fell
and we quickly end up at the old Pottergill
Farm, now a ruin on the side of the fell.
A track from Whinny Ridings Wood will be reversed
to provide a simple route home.
A quick repair to the stile and fence here has
sadly discontinued the nice lift-up dog gate,
but the old swing wire-mesh flap alongside it
is still working and does an equally good job at letting the
dogs through.
Wood End House, seen through the trees.
The round house alongside it was the old tennis
pavilion of Foulsyke House
and Wood End, once called Hemplingston, sits
on what was at one time the old tennis courts.
Back to the wildlife ponds
and that means the dogs and I have completed,
not the full circle but a full 'figure of eight' route.
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As I walk
down Wood End driveway . . . |
. . . a fellow-walker
strolls on ahead. |
Before he reaches the fence I have time to change
to the bigger lens
and catch this picture of an alternative Loweswater
Pheasant before the walk ends.
- - - o o o - - -
Just one picture from the following day after
some heavy overnight rain . . .
The weather is on the turn, the snow is gone
and the sun begins to shine again !
Click
here or on the single photo above for a 360
degree annotated panorama from my subsequent Scale Hill
local walk.