A Sponsored Walk on behalf of the Rwanda Group Trust

St Peter's Cathedral Lancaster to Ladyewell Shrine, Fernyhalgh, Preston 

26 miles 

Waiting for the 6.33am train to Lancaster

Yours truly in front of the Cathedral...

...and friend & fellow trustee Mark at the bottom of the steps

Looking back after joining the Lancaster canal

Mark again as we have our first refreshment break

Passing the branch canal to Glasson dock

We then left the canal after Forton village, crossed the A6 road and kept close to the river Wyre....

.... to the popular Scorton village....

....then back to the side of the river Wyre for lunch at Garstang

We left the river Wyre for the last time where the canal crosses it at the aqueduct here on the outskirts of Garstang....

....after several more miles we passed Barton Grange garden centre, marina and Flower Bowl...

....soon followed by 'Guys Old Nells Tavern' at Bilsborrow 

We finally left the peace of the canal and walked to the noisy A6 

for a couple of miles, passing Kopper Kettle....

....to reach Broughton and the Preston Guild Wheel cycle way.... 

....after which we crossed the M6 motorway and down Fernyhalgh lane.... 

to reach the Ladyewell shrine and well

The carved wooden statue of Our lady of Fernyhalgh whose feast it was today....

Also in the grounds are the Martyrs' Chapel

& Divine Mercy statue.

Today 25th June is the feast day of Our Lady of Fernyhalgh. The Rwanda Group Trust is small registered charity supporting the poorest of the poor in Rwanda. (see www.rwandagrouptrust.org ) Our patroness is Our Lady of Kibeho. There is more information about her on the website.

It therefore seemed appropriate to do our sponsored walk this year to Fernyhalgh on her feast day.

If you would like to support our work go to the link below or see other ways to donate on our website:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mark-ibison-and-michael-donlan-Our-Lady-RGT

Patterdale to Howtown 

via Brock Crags, Angletarn Pikes 

& Beda fell  10miles 2500ft

My day began in Pooley Bridge to catch the 7.15am bus to Patterdale. It was a damp morning standing here on the Pooley Bridge over the river Eamont....

....where someone was taking an early morning dip

The bus came on time and I was soon walking out of Patterdale towards Hartsop

Along side the path I saw this Chaffinch hopping through the grass

I gained height on one of the more direct routes to Brock Crags with views down to Brotherswater and Hartsop village....

....also to Glenridding and Ullswater

Nearing the summit after a tough climb Hayeswater reservoir came into view....

....and not long after, I arrived at Brock Crags summit cairn 1844ft

By this time the sun was shining and the clouds rising off the summits above Brotherswater

Leaving Brock Crags I descended to Angle Tarn with my next climb to Angle Tarn Pikes clearly visible on the far side of the tarn.... 

....and not long after I was just below the summit looking down on the tarn

Next I crossed the ridge of Beda fell....

....with a views to Helvellyn with the ridges of Striding edge and Swirral edge rising to its summit. Also to the right the pointed Catstye cam summit

The summit cairn stands at the north end of Beda fell at Beda Head 1670ft....

....which was a great place to sit in the grass for lunch basking in the warm sunshine looking towards Ullswater!

Somewhat reluctantly I left the summit and descended into Martindale

Looking up Martindale as I crossed the bridge over Howe Grain beck

I passed St Martin's church, on the site of which the  the original church was served by monks from Barton. The present building replaced the original at the end of the 16th century....

Leaving Martindale behind I made the final descent to Howtown.... 

....and soon arrived at the ferry pier

Finally whilst waiting for my lift back to Pooley Bridge I watched this little bird in the tree next to me. I'd  love to know its name. I think it might belong to the Warbler family.

After a damp start to the day this turned out to be a lovely walk with some wonderful views

The Windermere Way South East section Windermere  to Fell Foot Park

14.5miles 2200ft

Setting off from near the Railway Station in Windermere....

.....following paths to....

Windermere lakeside at Millerground

Looking across to the Langdale Pikes....

....and south to Bowness marina

Some hardy souls were taking an early morning dip!

Not for me thankyou!!

Entering Bowness I passed the Royal Oak which is the official start or finish of the Dales Way long distance path...

....81 miles to Ilkey, my brother and I completed this some years ago in the opposite direction

I followed the Dales Way as far Brant fell....

....from where after admiring the views....

I set off south continuing on the Windermere Way stopping here....

....at Lindeth tarn for my morning break. There then followed several miles of ups and downs through attractive pastureland, and passing Scout Adventures Great Towers, and Park Cliffe farm caravan and camp site....

....and then climbing through Blake plantation where I rested and using my bird indentifying app I listened to the song of Willow Warblers, Wood Warblers, Mistle Thrush and Wren before...

....arriving at Gummers How summit trig point

Looking north up lake Windermere....

....and below to Lakeside ferry and Steam Railway station before the final walk down....

....to Fell Foot park on the lakeside near Newby Bridge....

....where the facilities include the marina....

....and lakeside cafe.

A wonderful low level day's walking with lots of interest and great views