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.
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A planning
notice talks of re-naturalising the river valley. |
Presumably that might
be what the digger's for ? |
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.
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The valley
is known for the beautiful clear river water . . . |
. . . and several of
the pools here are very swimmable. |
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The bridge
over Greenup Gill as it enters from the left. |
Another lovely pool
in Langstrath Beck itself. |
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.
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The path
on the eastern bank of the river stays close under Eagle
Crag . . . |
. . . and as time goes
on, close under Sergeant Crag as well. |
White Crag can be seen on the opposite bank as the river
falls slightly over a rock outcrop.
The track down the other side looks like a small wall from
here.
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Ahead, looking
into the strong sunlight is Blea Rock. |
From here, more sunlight
reflects off the river. |
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- - - 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 - - -
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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.
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- - - 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 - - -
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The river was easily crossed in the shallows above the falls,
due to the current low river levels.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 !!