It’s a while since I last updated the Walk Diary. I didn’t manage the hoped for September expedition last year for family reasons. Despite this spell of indolence, and the unfortunate addition of a wee bit of weight, I’ve not been entirely inactive.
Windermere Way (about 8 and 13 miles)
After Easter we had a few days in Ambleside, cut short by Rita developing the lurgy. I did, however, manage to walk a couple of sections of the Windermere Way on the 11th and 12th of May, 2010.
I say walk, at times it was something of a hobble. I’m afraid I always have a lengthy bedding-in period for new boots while my feet assume the shape of the unyielding bits of the shoe last. In fact my boots traditionally only become truly comfortable in the last few miles before they fall apart.
The first segment was between Windermere and Ambleside. There was a fair covering of snow on Fairfield and even a flurry just below the modes, but rewarding, summit of Orrest Head during the morning. Despite this, the weather was generally grand and the surroundings superb.
The route scales Wansfell Pike the easy way: via Robin Lane and the Hundred Road. I think I’d been up there as a lad, but, if I had, I’d forgotten just how steep the drop to Ambleside is. A trip up and down once a week would make an athlete of a sloth.
The following day’s route was generally pretty good too: Ambleside to Ferry House, via Loughrigg Fell (I dodged the option to revisit the top), Loughrigg Tarn, Skelwith Bridge, Wray Castle, Belle Grange, and Claife Heights.
The segment between Ambleside and Skelwith Bridge is magnificent and well trodden. From there to Wray Castle, however, is mainly on lanes and best done quickly to gain the lake shore and the unfrequented (at least by me) Claife Heights. It’s quite a pull up to the heights but well rewarded by views across Windermere to the Howgills and on to Ingleborough.
Rosedale Circuit (about 12 miles)
I was next out on July 1 for a trip round the head of Rosedale using the track of the old ironstone railway: Rosedale Abbey, Northdale, East Mines, Dale Head, Sheriff’s Pit, Thorgill and Rosedale Abbey. This, with variants, is a favourite outing: an hour’s drive from home to the heart of the North York Moors. But it was hot… And the boots hurt my feet…
I was more than a little concerned that the years have begun to catch up with me and I’d permanently lost my stamina. I walked slowly, frequently had to pause and, more often than I should, needed to take longer breaks. Still, I did do the round, albeit taking an hour or more longer than I would have expected. Despite all, it was enjoyable; painful but agreeable.
With a multi-day outing pencilled in for September (the exact dates being subject to some surgery Rita’s having) I’m hoping to get in at least one decent walk (ten miles, plus) every week. So, blisters healed, it was out into the heat again today.
Flamborough Cliffs (about 10 miles)
I stayed local with another favourite, a walk circular walk from Flamborough: out onto North Cliff, following the cliff top to North Landing, Flamborough Lighthouse, South Landing, Beacon Hill, Beacon Farm and back to Flamborough.
I felt a whole lot better today: stamina much improved with far fewer “photo stops” and rests. This in spite of the day being, if anything, hotter than during the Rosedale outing. I might not be due for the knacker’s yard for a while yet after all!
The walk was marked by an abundance of wild flowers (I’ve just bought a book so might be able to name them soon), butterflies, moths and seabirds. There were plenty of people about too, particularly for the half mile either side of the road access.
The path diversion remains at Thornwick Bay, necessitating a lengthy loop inland instead of the former and preferable drop to, and climb from, beach level. It is now beginning to look permanent. The diversion uses a permissive path, which continues through, or beside, the caravan site and links with the outward path from the village. This path might prove a better option for future visits.
I’ll post some photos of the trips when I recover from a technical hitch with my IT.
Now then, where’s the map? Where to next week?
Windermere Way (about 8 and 13 miles)
After Easter we had a few days in Ambleside, cut short by Rita developing the lurgy. I did, however, manage to walk a couple of sections of the Windermere Way on the 11th and 12th of May, 2010.
I say walk, at times it was something of a hobble. I’m afraid I always have a lengthy bedding-in period for new boots while my feet assume the shape of the unyielding bits of the shoe last. In fact my boots traditionally only become truly comfortable in the last few miles before they fall apart.
The first segment was between Windermere and Ambleside. There was a fair covering of snow on Fairfield and even a flurry just below the modes, but rewarding, summit of Orrest Head during the morning. Despite this, the weather was generally grand and the surroundings superb.
The route scales Wansfell Pike the easy way: via Robin Lane and the Hundred Road. I think I’d been up there as a lad, but, if I had, I’d forgotten just how steep the drop to Ambleside is. A trip up and down once a week would make an athlete of a sloth.
The following day’s route was generally pretty good too: Ambleside to Ferry House, via Loughrigg Fell (I dodged the option to revisit the top), Loughrigg Tarn, Skelwith Bridge, Wray Castle, Belle Grange, and Claife Heights.
The segment between Ambleside and Skelwith Bridge is magnificent and well trodden. From there to Wray Castle, however, is mainly on lanes and best done quickly to gain the lake shore and the unfrequented (at least by me) Claife Heights. It’s quite a pull up to the heights but well rewarded by views across Windermere to the Howgills and on to Ingleborough.
Rosedale Circuit (about 12 miles)
I was next out on July 1 for a trip round the head of Rosedale using the track of the old ironstone railway: Rosedale Abbey, Northdale, East Mines, Dale Head, Sheriff’s Pit, Thorgill and Rosedale Abbey. This, with variants, is a favourite outing: an hour’s drive from home to the heart of the North York Moors. But it was hot… And the boots hurt my feet…
I was more than a little concerned that the years have begun to catch up with me and I’d permanently lost my stamina. I walked slowly, frequently had to pause and, more often than I should, needed to take longer breaks. Still, I did do the round, albeit taking an hour or more longer than I would have expected. Despite all, it was enjoyable; painful but agreeable.
With a multi-day outing pencilled in for September (the exact dates being subject to some surgery Rita’s having) I’m hoping to get in at least one decent walk (ten miles, plus) every week. So, blisters healed, it was out into the heat again today.
Flamborough Cliffs (about 10 miles)
I stayed local with another favourite, a walk circular walk from Flamborough: out onto North Cliff, following the cliff top to North Landing, Flamborough Lighthouse, South Landing, Beacon Hill, Beacon Farm and back to Flamborough.
I felt a whole lot better today: stamina much improved with far fewer “photo stops” and rests. This in spite of the day being, if anything, hotter than during the Rosedale outing. I might not be due for the knacker’s yard for a while yet after all!
The walk was marked by an abundance of wild flowers (I’ve just bought a book so might be able to name them soon), butterflies, moths and seabirds. There were plenty of people about too, particularly for the half mile either side of the road access.
The path diversion remains at Thornwick Bay, necessitating a lengthy loop inland instead of the former and preferable drop to, and climb from, beach level. It is now beginning to look permanent. The diversion uses a permissive path, which continues through, or beside, the caravan site and links with the outward path from the village. This path might prove a better option for future visits.
I’ll post some photos of the trips when I recover from a technical hitch with my IT.
Now then, where’s the map? Where to next week?
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