Burnbanks ( Haweswater)

to Howtown (Ullswater)

Via the High Street ridge

9miles 2300ft

Setting off from Burnbanks, this hamlet was built for the workers constructing the nearby Haweswater Dam

My route started out along the side of Haweswater....

....just before sunrise

Climbing up beside Measands beck...

.....and waterfalls....

....before crossing the beck to climb to the High Street ridge

Looking back to Haweswater after gaining height....and the very cold wind was just beginning to bite

.....and again

High Raise fell futher along the ridge....

....but this was my destination Wether Hill summit 2211ft. 

The fell top assessors report given later for the high summits recorded a wind chill temperature of: -16.1C

It most certainly felt like it!!!!

Leaving the summit ridge I rested here in the relative calm for a cup of hot coffee and chocolate bar!

Looking west to the central fells. Helvellyn centre right

I was now heading for the Pikeawassa ridge which leads down to Ullswater, seen here in the centre,   

Looking back the way I'd come over High Street 

The continuation of High Street to the south

Continuing now to Pikeawassa summit 

Looking down into Martindale....

Looking back from the summit of Pikeawassa 1417ft

Ullswater from the summit

Howtown from the final descent....

....to the path along the lakeside....

....before finishing at the Howtown ferry landing

A fantastic day's winter walking albeit with the coldest wind chill of minus 16.1C I've ever experienced on the fells. Full winter walking gear was an absolute essential

Day '7' 

Carnforth to Carlisle Walk 

Eamont Bridge to Langwathby

11miles 1100ft

Setting off from Eamont Bridge over the river Eamont

Looking east as I walk north to Penrith

Entering Penrith through Castle Park....

....the 'Black Angel Memorial is dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Boer war

A section of the remains of Penrith Castle....

....and again

Descending into the town centre with Beacon hill on the horizon....

....and looking back to Penrith as I start to climb Beacon hill

Looking down to the town to the West....

....but thankfully the sun comes out as I reach the summit beacon 938ft.....

Looking West again to the lakeland fells....

....before starting the descent to the river Eden valley

So this is what's meant by a 'multi storey car park'!

Lunch time in the village of Edenhall

Leaving Edenhall I took the path through the Edenhall estate passing St Cuthbert's 13th century church on the way to the river Eden....

...one of the sculptures on the 'River Eden Way' path

A section of the path as I walk towards to Langwathby

The bridge crossing the Eden on my way....

....after which I left the river to visit 

'Long Meg & her Daughters' Druidic Circle' 

the largest of its kind in the country

....and again...

Finally arriving in my destination, Langwathby

Despite yet another rainy day forecasted this was actually a great day's walk without rain and with plenty of interest

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....