A Nicky Nook Circuit

Western Bowland fells 

4 miles 600ft

After parking near Scorton my friend Jim and I headed off up the path to the top of Nicky Nook.

We paused here for a look back to Morecambe bay....

....and again from a little higher 

A very short detour off the path leads to this lovely little pool.... 

....and again

Still only early afternoon but the sun was reflecting in the same pool....

....and again

Another detour took us to this memorial cairn. It commemorates the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria 1887....

....and was restored and re-commemorated for the  Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II 2002

Nearing Nicky Nook summit....

.....now at its trig point 702ft

Strating the descent into Grisedale valley....

.....and again

The final stretch of path following the beck on the way back to the car.

I had a text from my friend Jim suggesting we have a local boxing day afternoon walk over Nicky Nook.

As it happened I'd no plans for a walk this week as the weather forecast had been awful.  However today did look like being a decent afternoon for a walk, so I readily agreed.

Thanks Jim for a very enjoyable afternoon....

 Christmas priorities may mean no Michael's walk blog this week.

However here are some photos from a circuit including Arnside, Kendal & Grange over Sands to attempt a bit of Christmas shopping!

Starting the day's shopping on the sea front in Arnside....

....and again

 Looking to the shops from the end of the jetty....

....before moving on to Kendal town centre...rather more shops here as well as a Wetherspoons for lunch!

 Lunch over and back to the coast at Grange for a stroll along the promenade (after a visit to one or two shops)

A very low sun when looking to the West....

 ....but still a lovely sunny afternoon looking East

One final shop with a lovely window display....

....and again

Finally a walk by the little lake between the shops and sea front before heading for home.

A lovely day out but not a lot of shopping achieved!

On arrival in the lakes today there was 

low cloud over the high fells so a change of plan: 

Dockray to Troutbeck

Via Gowbarrow fell, Little Mell fell & Great Mell fell

13miles 2750ft

Dropping down from Dockray into Aira Force beck 

One of the bridges over Aira Force beck

Ullswater from the upper path around Gowbarrow fell

....and again

Looking back along the very attractive path

I quite liked the silhouette of this tree

A lasting memorial of "A Thank Offering" Oct 1905!

Starting a shortish diversion to Gowbarrow summit....

....on the way I came across this party of young people who were just breaking camp after a night on the fell

Arriving at Gowbarrow summit 1578ft with  my walk ahead in view, Little Mell fell (R) & Great Mell fell (L)

A rare break in the clouds over Ullswater

Descending Gowbarrow I passed through Swinburn's Park woods

....emerging with a view of Watermillock church....

....completing the climb to Little Mell fell summit 1657ft for lunch

Finishing with the final climb up Great Mell fell 1762ft

with Blencathra in the distance now just about free of cloud

A grand day's walking but a little more sunshine would have improved the views

 Coniston to Elterwater

via: 

The Yewdale fells, Wetherlam Rake, & Tilberthwaite Gill

9miles 2050ft

Setting off from outside the Crown Inn Coniston

Climbing out of the Coppermines valley to the Yewdale fell tops

Just below the first summit as the sun appeared....

....and disappeared as I descended to the next one.....

....then crossing the summit plateau in deep snow

Looking down on Coniston water....

....and north east to the Helvellyn range

Joining the Wetherlam Rake path which skirts high up on its eastern shoulder.....

....before descending to Dry Cove

Interesting vapour trails catching the sun

Looking south to Morecambe bay....

....before descending Tilberthwaite Gill

Passing through Moss Rigg wood

Crossing Greenburn beck....

Arriving at the Britannia Inn, Elterwater village....

.....and discovering that Robins love flapjack!

A fantastic day's walking in Alpine like conditions but extremely taxing on the knees and calf muscles!