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One week after a great snowy day out in the Lake District the unpredictable weather of the British hills had struck once again and all of that lovely white stuff had melted away save for the odd patch spied on Helvellyn. Still with a beautiful day forecast on the Sunday an opportunity to return was too great to miss and once again the journey over the A66, (a route that I could probably drive in my sleep, and have done once or twice
), was undertaken. This time however Nicola and Grace joined me and the mighty Hughie for what has unfortunately become a rare family outing.
With the fitness levels of Nicola and Grace being questionable there was little point in being overly ambitious so we parked up at Grasmere, that most wonderful of Lakeland villages, and set off up Red Bank Road before turning up the public footpath up Silver How.
Looking back at Grasmere by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Not so much Silver How as Rusty How by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
On to the open fellside by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Following the wall by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
The countryside around these parts is idyllic, mirror like lakes, beautiful natural mature trees, rugged crags all backed by higher fells. All of this can be enjoyed to the full on the fairly easy walk up Silver How eased by some very fine stone pitching up the ascent gully that would otherwise be an eroded mess.
Grasmere and Rydal Water by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Stone pitching up the gully by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Looking down on Dow Bank by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
It was a magnificent day and a magnificent view to match form the modest summit of Silver How. The Helvellyn Range behind the shaggy terrier of Helm Crag and the Western arm of the Fairfield Horseshoe provide fine interest before moving around to the Lakes of Grasmere, Rydal Water and Windemere. The Forests of the South Lakes give way to the Fine ridges of the Coniston Fells before Langdales finest are beautifully seen to the West.
Langdale Fells from Silver How by
Anthony Young, on Flickr (click on pic to see full size)
Silver How by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Grasmere and Rydal Water from Silver How by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Seat Sandal, Fairfield and others by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Langdale from Silver How by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
We lingered a while, who wouldn't? before heading in the general direction of Blea Rigg. Before this however there was the small matter of three Birkett tops that as I was here I thought I may as well visit. The first, Lang How looks quite promising at first before you realise the real top is just a grassy rise, the next, Swinescar Pike provides confusion if nothing else. Hill bagging UK gives the top as a prominent cairn on a grassy mound but the OS map certainly points towards a odd grassy knoll to the North West. There is little doubt that the cairn is slightly higher but when the actual book is consulted it sides with the OS map for both grid reference and description. Wherever the top is the view down to Langdale is superb with Crinkle Crags taking center stage.
Tarn near Lang How by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Looking down to Langdale and Youdel from Lang How by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Langdale from Swinescar Pike by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Swinescar Pike Summit? by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
The Landscape around these parts is very typical of much of the Lake District, rough craggy terrain with a multitude of paths winding around the obstacles reveling different views at every turn, it's hard to imagine many places with as much charm as this especially on a beautiful spring day. The next Birkett, Raw Pike/Castle How was reached and we took in the fine view to the Coniston fells before the final winding climb up to the days modest high point of Blea Rigg.
Old Shepard's/miner's shelter by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Coniston Fells from Raw Pike by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Tarn and Crinkle Crags by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Easedale Tarn from the route up Blea Rigg by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Coniston Mono by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
A distant Windemere from Blea Rigg by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
We arrived at Blea Rigg with the sun hiding and a cool breeze so we found shelter and had lunch before heading down an easy grassy gully to link with the path down to Easedale Tarn. At this point I realised that I had no pics of my companions so to prove I wasn't imagining my company for the day I grabbed a sneaky shot.
Blea Rigg by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Blea Crag by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
My camera shy companions by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Easedale Tarn looked beautiful in early summer colour but we didn't linger and followed the fine path down to Grasmere enjoying the fine waterfalls in Sourmilk Gill on the way down.
Tarn Crag above Easedale Tarn by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Tarn Crag and Sourmilk Gill by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Falls in Sourmilk Gill by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
...and again by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Over the wall to the falls by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Looking up Sourmilk Gill by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
This was a nice easy family outing taking in some of the Lakes most charming landscapes. There is a sting in the tale however as regards parking. For some reason in an act of wanton abandon I parked in the main parking area at Grasmere. An attempt to pay at the time was foiled by lack of change and broken card readers on both machines but, never fear, in this age of technology you can simply pay on the companies website once you return home as I duly did. Imagine my surprise then when a demand for £30 dropped through my letterbox this morning as I am a common criminal who doesn't pay his way. I have of course lodged an appeal containing my confirmation of payment from Nochex so we will see if these incompetent muppets see sense.