A circuit from Torver including

Walna Scar, White Maiden, White Pike

Broughton Moor Quarry, Beacon tarn & 

Coniston water. 12miles 2950ft 

Setting off from the Wilson Arms Torver....

....on a grey, windy but thankfully dry early morning following the bridle way towards Walna Scar

Passing one of the many now disused quarries in the area

Crossing Torver bridge

The view to the east down the Walna Scar track.....

Zooming in on a very misty Coniston Water....

.....before reaching the top of the Walna Scar pass where I turned south looking back at the crossroads with

the Duddon valley now to the left and Dow Crag straight ahead

The summit cairn on White Maiden 608m 1995ft with no view unfortunately in the thick cloud. I then continued to White Pike but still in thick cloud.

Eventually after descending a few hundred feet I dropped below the cloud revealing this view to the Leven estuary

Below me was the huge Broughton Moor quarry. This is just one small section

Looking west to the Dunnerdale fells...

.....and back towards the Coniston fells

I joined the Cumbria Way path here at Beacon tarn with the Blawith fells behind....

....before stopping for lunch here beside Torver beck

"I think they must have put me in the wrong field"!!!

After lunch a short walk took me to the side of Coniston water....

....and the Torver ferry landing

The ferry was just heading south down the lake

Leaving the lakeside I joined the route of the disused Foxfield to Coniston railway for the last half mile....

....passing St Luke's church into Torver

It was a real shame about the weather today. This had the potential to be an excellent walk. Nevertheless it was still a great outing and has whetted my desire to come and do exactly the same walk on a sunny day in summer!!!

 Catstye Cam via Grisedale, the 'Hole in the Wall', Red Tarn & Swirral Edge

10miles 2950ft

Heading off into Grisedale over Grisedale Beck

Zooming in on Dollywagon Pike

Looking back to Ullswater....

.and back down the path into Grisedale

Continuing the climb to the 'Hole in the Wall'

The 'Hole in the Wall' with Birkhouse Moor

Having my morning break by Red Tarn with Helvellyn behind

Zooming in on Swirral Edge....

....and starting the climb  

Zooming in on the lower section of the edge....

....with a couple of experienced walkers heading down off  Helvellyn. However this was as far as I felt it was safe to go, given the fierce wind chill of -12C and no ice axe.

I turned round and headed instead for the summit of Catstye Cam 

Looking down to Red Tarn.... 

Swirral edge from Catstye Cam 2920ft

A section of Striding edge across the valley

Now on the descent looking back to Catstye Cam

Lunchtime in the sun by Glenridding beck

The next bridge down stream which the path crosses to Greenside mine

Nearing Glenridding village.....

.....where this RAF helicopter was just taking off. I'd seen it flying round Helvellyn earlier in the day

A final walk back to Patterdale along the side of Ullswater

A memorable day in some challenging conditions on the high fells today, but well worth it for some fantastic mountain scenery

 Sunderland Point to Morecambe via Heysham Harbour

12.5 miles 450ft ascent

After catching the bus from Morecambe to Middleton Sands I walked south towards Sunderland point where the river Lune enters Morecambe bay

A short walk north from the point is the enclosure round Sambo's grave.

The old port of Lancaster was heavily involved in the slave trade. Sambo was well liked by his master and on his death was given this grave. 

It's adorned now with all sorts of trinkets and tributes 

I think this silhouette of a wading bird is a Knot

All along this section of the Morecambe bay coast are these static caravan parks, all seemingly really well kept. Heysham nuclear power station is now on the horizon....

.....and I was soon walking alongside it heading for the Heysham dock quayside

Heysham dock....

....with perfect timing the Isle of Man ferry appeared on the horizon just as I arrived

The 'Manxman' entering the dock

It's actually a very large dock and one of the locals was telling me how it was once a very thriving port. Rather reminiscent of my home town of Preston. 

(sorry city now!)

When I walked round to the north quay the ferry was already unloading the lorries 

Lunch time sat on the beach at 'Half Moon Bay' looking back to the dock

This metal sculpture on the path to Heysham Head was called 'The Ship' !!!!!

Walking round Heysham Head....

....and passing the ruins of St Patrick's 8th century church....

....with St Peter's current church just round the corner

I think this wading bird is Dunlin?

Now on Morecambe seafront with the very smart, art deco style Midland hotel

The fairly recently renovated Winter Gardens

.....and finally one has to smile when passing this tribute to Eric Morecambe!

With grey skies forecast for the week ahead I decided to have a change and head to the coast. I'd read recently that there was path access to the south quayside in Heysham so planned this route to take in some of the features along this coastline.

All in all a great day's walking