Not a full TR, but some photos from a meandering 11 mile walk from Haverthwaite to Grange in the South Lakes.
My wife dropped me off in a layby just south of Haverthwaite with Tess, our spaniel. From here a pleasant mile through mossy woodland took me to Backbarrow. I continued north towards Newby Bridge, but the path degenerated into a quagmire as it crossed a low saddle - overgrazing by cows - very unpleasant, and on my newly initiated banned list!
Miniature rain forest - moss growing on the stems of bilberriesCrossing the busy A590 upset Tess, but quieter lanes led to Staveley in Cartmell, from where a delightful bridleway took me eastwards up through woodland and pasture to a mature forestry plantation (Chapel House). On the plateau above the trees opened out, and after a mile I took a short detour to take a look at Simpson Ground Reservoir, surprisingly beautiful in the winter sun.
Woodland Bridleway above Staveley
Looking back westwards as I climbedSunlit ConifersLichen 'flowers'
Tranquil Simpson Ground Reservoir - no prizes for guessing who made the ripples!A few miles of minor road walking took me to High Newton, where my cunning plan to have a lunch time pint and a bite to eat was thwarted by the pub being shut! No choice but to press on, hungry and thirsty. Lanes and bridleways took me to the northern end of Hampsfell, home territory now, and I fairly blasted up the northern ridge, through limestone scrubland. On top, there are some fine areas of limestone pavement, and, of course, the Hampsfell Hospice, with its crude 'sighting table' on the roof. A sign lists the bearings of the prominent hills, and you rotate the sight to the correct bearing to identify the hill.
The verdant Cartmel ValleyLimestone pavement on HampsfellHampsfell Hospice - cows in residence!On the home straight now, descending southwards along the ridge to Fell End, where I was rewarded by an excellent view of Morecambe Bay Sands in the fading light.
Morecambe Bay Sands from Fell EndArrived home as the light was fading, hungry and thirsty after 11 miles, but happy.