Walking Forum
Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Lake District => Topic started by: April on 19:18:03, 29/01/19
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We got the bus to Aira Force on Saturday. We thought we would visit the waterfall then take the public footpath eastward to Memorial Seat and into Swinburn's Park. The weather forecast wasn't great, heavy rain to come later and strong winds higher up so we did a lower level walk. There was a little drizzle on the way up to Aira Force, we hoped it wouldn't get any worse and we could get on the bus without getting too wet. Someone had forgotten their waterproof trousers. It wasn't me :D
Aira Force complete with fallen tree
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7864/46908695751_c0e830ed1d_z.jpg) (http://)
On the footpath from Aira Force to Hind Crag
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7855/39943886223_864a855a7d_z.jpg) (http://)
A peak of Ullswater and St Sunday Crag under cloud
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7902/46856479352_4cf02d2abc_z.jpg) (http://)
We had some nice views to look at and the day was so much better than we had anticipated
Ascending the path to Memorial Seat
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7873/45994290755_c9b8565210_z.jpg) (http://)
The drizzle had fizzled out and the wind as we got higher wasn't that strong, although it was a cold wind.
The view toward Glenridding from Memorial Seat
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7847/46908751201_81091944cb_z.jpg) (http://)
Looking back at the ascent path and a bit of sunshine breaking through
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4867/39943970813_b9f963f3f6_z.jpg) (http://)
Hallin Fell from Memorial Seat
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7889/33033638178_1feb66f8a4_z.jpg) (http://)
Place Fell from Memorial Seat
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7848/31967837567_ab4e1f5fe7_z.jpg) (http://)
The path around the flanks of Gowbarrow Fell
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7904/46908825501_00c035d1e5_z.jpg) (http://)
The path around the flanks of Gowbarrow Fell may not suit those who don't like heights. There are a few places where the path which was muddy and sloping gets close to a bit of a drop.
Looking back at the path from near the Shooting Lodge
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4849/31968004307_7683eedd38_z.jpg) (http://)
Looking back at Gowbarrow Fell from the footbridge into Swinburn Park
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4899/46908980691_280fcb484c_z.jpg) (http://)
Beda Fell from Swinburn Park
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7857/45994453295_41315e8237_z.jpg) (http://)
We could see a weather front coming in across Ullswater.
Watermillock Church and Rectory
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4805/45994619775_0031417fd7_z.jpg) (http://)
We stopped for our lunch just after the Rectory. We managed to find a little bit of shelter amongst some gorse bushes. The weather got worse here and it started raining and the wind picked up. We got under the storm shelter. We only had a mile and a half to the bus stop at Watermillock but the bus wasn't due for over an hour. We were getting cold though so we got moving again. We could use the storm shelter at the bus stop while sitting on the seat.
Watermillock Church
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7801/39944263823_5431e1956a_z.jpg) (http://)
The rain got heavier as we walked by the church and the wind was blasting it at us now. At the bus stop, we were lucky, I saw the bus was due on the other side of the road toward Patterdale. We could get on it and then return on it to Penrith and not have to wait for 45 minutes in the rain O0
Beefy, Me and Squeaky 1 - Weather 0 :)
Our route was Aira Force bus stop - Aira Force - Hind Crag - Memorial Seat - Shooting Lodge - Swinburn Park - Rectory - Watermillock. 9.25km with 453m ascent. Not sure if the ascent is accurate :-\ It seems a lot, although there were a few ups and downs. Except for the wind and rain for the last hour we did enjoy the day, better than expected.
We got some sad news when we got on the bus from Penrith. We heard one of the lovely ladies who gets on the Caldbeck Rambler at Ireby has lost her battle against cancer. Only 65 and newly retired, we raised our glasses to Shirley when we got home, she will be missed :(
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More great pics, :)
Was a nice day with a sad ending
Fancy a WC this weekend in the snow ;D
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Lovely photos, particularly looking up and down Ullswater.
Shame the weather didn't hold off a bit longer for you ABS. I chickened out of an evening walk today as it is very damp here, I'm eating chocolate biscuits instead.
Sad news, too young.
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Lovely view along that path April O0
silly Squeaky forgetting her waterproof trews :)
Sad news about your friend, I know you have a great crack with the regulars on the bus so must have been a shock.
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Looks like you made the most of a dodgy day April. Nice move catching the early bus, but sorry to hear about your friend.
I was also in the Lakes Saturday, unfortunately, no bus for me, and walking in that couple of hours between 2 and 4 pm it absolutely bounced down :D
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Pleasing photos even in that dull weather, best use of a day.
Such a sad end for that lady from Ireby. Speaking about the buses, we noticed that they nearly all seem to know each other on the 508 and X5 from Penrith, many clearly out walking for the day.
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Walked this path many a time, April; a lovely lower level route.
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Fancy a WC this weekend in the snow ;D
No ;D
I'm eating chocolate biscuits instead.
:)
silly Squeaky forgetting her waterproof trews :)
;D
Sad news about your friend, I know you have a great crack with the regulars on the bus so must have been a shock.
It is sad but we knew how ill she was so it wasn't a shock as such, just incredibly sad that she didn't get to have a retirement.
I was also in the Lakes Saturday, unfortunately, no bus for me, and walking in that couple of hours between 2 and 4 pm it absolutely bounced down :D
:) It did tip it down
Speaking about the buses, we noticed that they nearly all seem to know each other on the 508 and X5 from Penrith, many clearly out walking for the day.
We might see you one day! The 73 Caldbeck Rambler from Carlisle to Keswick on Saturdays always has regulars on it all talking to each other. Any newcomers on it must feel a bit left out.
a lovely lower level route.
It is a nice walk :)
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Some very dramatic skies there, April, and nice play of light on the fells where the sun managed to break through the cloud. O0 :)
I'm sorry too to hear about the loss of your friend.
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Lovely pictures April - certainly was a bit blowy on Sunday morning.
Sad news too - I'm sorry to hear this - you must have a long list of bus friends from all your travels.
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I have a soft spot for Gowbarrow and it's good to see your photos & write up of your jaunt around the area. Thanks for sharing with us O0
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Beefy forgot his trousers?
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Thanks adalard, IM and pdstsp :)
Beefy forgot his trousers?
He forgot his marbles as well :D
Waterproof overtrousers btw :)
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Well there's a coincidence! A friend and I did a very similar Gowbarrow walk on the Sunday!
It's a very nice little fell for stravaiging on a damp afternoon.
Nice photos, BTW
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It's a very nice little fell for stravaiging on a damp afternoon.
After googling "stravaiging" I can agree with you :D
Thanks Skip :)
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Lovely photos as always April O0
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Thanks sunnydale :)