Hiley Website

The red phone box that is the starting point for many of my walks.

Rose Cottage and the new plantation opposite.

Clear views across to Grasmoor.

All quiet in the Churchyard.

I'm going that way . . . suitably dressed for the cold conditions.

Kirkhead Farm and Mellbreak ahead . . . it looks impossible from here !

Lane discipline.



A low sun due to the season, not the time.	Heading up the start of the climb.

The path zig-zags up through the rocky northern crags.

Brief respite before the main climb.

The Lorton Valley.

Likewise, the Loweswater Valley.



The path is frosty but no need for 'spikes' yet.	Higher up in the shade it is even frostier.

Climbing into the sun.

A wider panorama as I climb / stop for a breather !

" Wainwright's peep round the corner " all the way to Buttermere.

Did I mention it is cold ?

Looking down on Low and High Park immediately below.

They get little direct sun at this time of year, but the view of the sunny weather is a delight, even from down there.

Nearly at the summit, after the hard climbing has been done . . . just over an hour today . . . not bad in the conditions.

What it is all about today.

Click here or on the photo above for a 360 degree annotated panorama.

Zooming in on Loweswater.

The smoke is mainly steam from Iggersund Bio-mass burner at their paper factory.

Hopegill Head and Sand Hill.

The top of mighty Grasmoor.

The briefest views of Helvellyn through the gap.

Buttermere's Red Pike with the High Stile Ridge to the left.

Sadly no time to make the south top today, despite how nice it looks.

The dogs and I make our way down to the hause to find the start of the path down.



The sun over hen Comb and Great Borne.	Dougal path-finding below.

The Mosedale Holly, it's not only lonely, it's cold and lonely !

We chose the traverse path for our descent.

	- - - o o o - - - I think it has caught the sun as my micro-spikes have stayed in the bag today. The stones are lose so the grip is okay. - - - o o o - - -

A familiar view ahead, only now the sun is lower and the valley is in shade.

Back past the Kirkstile.

We'll be there to celebrate New Year's Eve . . . that's the plan.

The Negative Signpost.

I think this is where I came in . . . is was what we used to say at the cinema !

- - - o o o - - -

In the days that followed, the valley events have been rather festive.

The Farmer's Discussion Group had a Christmas Meal,

with local stories, songs and recitations . . . just like the old days . . . and I mean the old days.

It was remarkably Cumbrian and remarkably good.

Several events at the hall including the 77 Club Christmas social and at new Hall Christmas afternoon Event.

The entertainment John was introducing followed afternoon tea.

A concert by he Cockermouth Ukulele Band.

- - - o o o - - -

Carol singing is another valley tradition where we travel round the houses and sing carols.

With the distance involved it's car sharing not walking of course.

Meeting at the start of the evening can often be a social event in itself.

Especially if "mine-hosts" bring out the mince pies and Mulled wine !

This year we had a real spread of ages which added a new dimension to the first night.

Classic outdoor singing for the most part.

A cheerful, and thankfully tuneful rendition, before we rattled the collection tin for NSPCC.

A great crowd of eighteen this year was swollen in number by the people whom we called upon.

Afterwards we had a personal invite from Peter and Karen at the Village Hall

who entertained us to a cafe-like atmosphere in the small room at the hall and provided a fine spread of Christmas Cheer.

Thanks to my fellow singers and the hospitality and generosity of our valley neighbours.

"We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year"

- - - o o o - - -