A Seathwaite Round 

Duddon Valley

Buck Pike, Dow Crag, Swirl How & 

Grey Friar 13miles 3300ft

I parked here by Holy Trinity church at the village of Seathwaite in the Duddon Valley

Passing through Turner Hall campsite I met this group from Walthamstow about to set off on an expedition 

I then joined the Walna Scar track towards Coniston with views to the Scafell range with some threatening clouds on the tops....

....and again

Arriving at the top of the Walna Scar pass with my first objective of Buck Pike with Coniston Old Man behind

Looking back at Blind Tarn and the coast from the climb to Dow Crag

Nearing the top of Dow Crag and looking down on Goats Water

The wedged rock on Dow Crag summit with a 1000ft drop underneath it! 

Looking back at Dow Crag from the path to Swirl How

Levers Water with Coniston village and lake below

Lunch time sat on Swirl How 2631ft looking down Prison Band to Wetherlam

I crossed over Grey Friar summit and descended here to Seathwaite tarn....  

....and again

Passing Tarn Beck back in the Duddon valley

Finally back at Holy Trinity church where sections of the graveyard had been deliberately left growing the wild flowers

Great to be back on the high fells today but it certainly didn't feel like July in the cold north westerly wind on the tops. I was glad to have taken my wind proof jacket, beanie & gloves! 

 

 

 

A Ramble in 3 parts: 

Part 3: 

Piel Island via ferry from Roa Island Barrow-in-Furness 1mile

Driving across the causeway that links Barrow to 

Roa island

After parking at the ferry landing the ferry soon arrived from the island

There were only a few other passengers apart from myself making the crossing

This impressive motor boat came speeding past us with the RNLI lifeboat station behind

Arriving on the island

One of the main attractions here are the ruins of  Piel Castle, renowed as a great example of a 14th century castle....

....and again....

....and again

Of course the other attraction are the great views

....and again

....and again

 

....and again

 

The final attraction is the pub where the landlord is traditionally crowned as the King of Piel island and contains his throne!

However it was time for me to be heading back so foregoing the pub I was the only passenger on the returning ferry

Finally arriving back at the car on Roa island

This had been a really memorable day with three great contrasting walks on a perfect summer's day.

I would highly recommend all three!

A Ramble in 3 parts: 

Part 2: Furness coast, Birkrigg Common & Great Urswick. 9miles 600ft

After leaving Newby Bridge I drove here to Bardsea on the Furness coast for the 2nd part of the ramble

I walked inland through the village of Bardsea....

....climbing Birkrigg Common

Looking down to Bardsea village and the river Leven estuary

One of the features of Birkrigg Common is this double stone circle which has one circle inside the other

Arriving at the dizzy summit height of 446ft

The summit provides this view to the 100ft high Hoad monument above Ulverston town....

....which was built with stone from this quarry on Birkrigg Common

The river leven railway viaduct connecting Cark in Cartmel to Ulverston

Leaving the summit I descended the common to head inland to the village of Great Urswick....

....where there is this attractive tarn in beside the village....

.....there is also this church dedicated to St Mary & St Michael. Great Urswick was passed through by monks on the way to the nearby Furness Abbey

Finally I returned to the coast at Baycliff and followed the Cumbria Coastal Way back to Bardsea

Having returned to the car I then drove on towards Barrow for the last 3rd part of my ramble

Watch this space for part 3 coming  soon

A Ramble in 3 Parts 

Part 1: The newly opened link on the West Windermere Way  Newby Bridge to Lakeside 2.5miles return

Starting off from the Swan Hotel Newby Bridge as the early morning mist rose from the river Leven

The moorings alongside the river bank

Just a short walk, a little over a mile, and I arrived at Lakeside....

....and again

The ferries leave from here to complete circuits of lake Windermere

Still only 6.30am and it was a beautiful calm early morning all to myself!

The deserted booking office

This new section of path follows the route of the Haverthwaite to Lakeside Railway

Back at the Swan Hotel just a little early for the Barbecue!

The bridge of Newby Bridge over the river Leven

A delightful start to the day before I returned to the car and continued to the Morecambe bay coastline at the village of Bardsea.

Watch this space for part 2 of  the day's ramble