Rydal to Ambleside via Buckstones Jump and Low Pike

8miles 1700ft

I got off the bus at St Mary's church Rydal....

.....and walked up the steep lane to Rydal Mount, the home of William, Dorothy and Mary Wordsworth for much of their adult lives

Where the lane comes to an end a footpath continues up Rydal beck valley emerging from the trees with a view back to Windermere....

A mile or so further on the path comes to Buckstones Jump water falls. A very popular place for a cooling dip when coming down from the fells in summer. 

Be warned of the very cold water, there have been too many fatalities across the country already this year!!!

A natural pool is formed by a rocky outcrop which the water flows over

There's even a shingle beach!

Looking down on Rydal water from the climb to 

Low Pike

Zooming in on Rydal caves above the lake

Low Pike summit 1667ft with High Pike behind. These are the first two summits on the Fairfield Horseshoe walk

Windermere and Ambleside as I started the descent....

....with the 'ever present' Langdale Pikes

Arriving in Ambleside I made a circuit through the town starting at the bowling green recreation area....

....and passing through the area of the Galava Roman fort, built under Hadrian's rule to guard the Roman road between Brougham & Ravenglass

Next came Borrans park which was a very timely place for lunch overlooking Windermere....

....and again

....and again

Lunch over I walked on to Waterhead where the Windermere ferries come and go....

....as well as other activities...

....and again....

....finishing with a final lingering look at the fells.

Today I was testing out my 'gammy knee' on the fells. I was happy with the result but not yet fully fit for a return to more strenous walks

A walk along Liverpool waterfront

from Festival Gardens & return

7miles 50ft!

Setting off along the waterfront promenade after parking at the Festival Gardens car park south of the city centre

Zooming in on the Anglican Cathedral

It was approaching the time of the hightide and ships were weighing anchor and heading out to sea....

....but not those moored in the marina....

....which included canal boats. The 127 mile Liverpool to Leeds canal starts from here

Two brave individuals were practising their wild water swimming

The pilot boat was heading out to bring in the ships waiting to enter the docks

Passing the M & S arena venue....

....followed by the ferris wheel which I'd not seen before

Arriving at the Albert dock....

The chain fence was covered in 'love locks'

The Liver building once the home of the Royal Liver Insurance and is the emblem of the city of Liverpool

Arriving at the Pier Head....

....from where the ferry across the Mersey sails

Zooming in on one of the two Liver birds, now is this one Bertie or Bella?

Continuing now to the cruise ship terminal....

.....where the relatively small 998 passenger liner....

'Viking Vela' from Bergen was moored....

No explanation is required for these 4 young lads! 

Leaving the city centre I returned to Festival Gardens...

....and a final look at the shipping still sailing down the river Mersey

A very different sort of walk this week as I was having some difficulty with a knee injury and was testing out my fitness! 

 Returning to the South Pennines

Embsay reservoir, Crookside Crag, Rylestone Cross & the Cracoe fell Obelisk. Returning via Embsay Crag.

9.5miles 1700ft

Setting off from Embsay village....

....and Embsay reservoir....

....which has a sailing club

At the northeast end of the reservoir is Embsay Crag which will be on my route down as I finish the walk

The first climb of the day to Crookrise crag lies straight ahead....

....from where Skipton can be seen in the distance.....

Zooming in on Skipton....

....and a look back to the reservoir

Continuing along the ridge with Pendle hill just visible in the distance

Crookrise crag trig point 1362ft

Continuing along the ridge Rylestone Cross is reached

It was put up here to mark the Jubilee of Queen Victoria

Another couple of miles further and I arrived at the obelisk war memorial on Cracoe fell summit 1640ft

.....and again

Looking down from the obelisk to Rylestone village and.... 

....St Peter's church. After leaving the obelisk I crossed a couple of miles of scenically drab moorland but which was full of birdsong....

....and arrived for my lunch on Embsay crag with the reservoir below

Lunch over, I descended to the reservoir....

....and  had a final look back to the crag before returning to the car.

The forecast for today was full sun with 30*C temperature. I started walking at 6.30am and was glad to be back in the car (with air conditioning) before the heat reached its peak!!

Nevertheless it had been another great day's walking