FERRY. CROSS THE............

CLAIFE HEIGHTS 7 Miles

Walkers :- John R, John W, Anthony, Mick,
                  Jim C, Danny,  Mike,  Martin. 

An early start  with visas in hand as we had a border to cross and a ferry to catch.  (EARLY start Danny !)


 

Today we were led into Cumbria by a rising star of a leader. MARTIN !   

We were soon aboard the ferry and across Windermere to our first stop "The Toilets" then  down the road to a handy car park by the lake - where we found a pair of glasses !!!

 

 Last week a key - This week a pair of glasses.

A clear path led out of the car park towards our first climb - stone steps that led steeply up to a small but rather handsome ruin/folly which had been turned into a viewing platform. 

We climbed up inside to admire the views before  descending to the lake shore and beginning our walk proper. 

 The view from inside the viewing platform.

Having driven so far, coffee time was almost immediately upon us and the sun blessed shores of the lake proved irresistible. 

So much so that we had to make a real effort to drag ourselves to our feet and get moving. Because we are all so familiar with this National Park that is on our doorstep we may sometimes forget how stunningly beautiful it is.

On our feet and on the way again. We follow the track which keeps to the wooded edge of the Lake for some two miles until we arrived at Belle Grange Bay. Here we turned left and leaving the lake behind us we began climbing up a steep and roughly rocky path. A steady but strenuous upward toil.

 As we rose through the steep, wooded hillside we got glimpses of the glorious views of Lakeland. Mostly to the North of us.

 As the track levels out ( It rises again...... ) the view behind Anthony is only the forerunner of even more spectacular vistas.

Our climb continued until at last Martin declared we had reached the top. Well past midday by now and a lunch spot was sought. With the toughest part of the walk behind us we began to drop down towards two small tarns, the larger called Wise Een Tarn. A raised bank to the left of the path offered comfortable seating with A VIEW !

 In the distance behind the lunching group of "Preston Old Men" we can see "Coniston Old Man".  We were not alone in these scenic surrounds and one of the denizens of the field came over to check us out.

It is said of walkers that they should take only photos and leave only footprints. So here we are. Boxes ticked. Both tasks accomplished.

Although the sun shone throughout our day and the ground underfoot was mainly dry the previous nights heavy rain had left many pools and rivulets along our path.  Here we are forced to divert to cross a small but swollen stream.

Our walk was now well advanced but the delights of the region continued to hold us. The picturesque Moss Eccles Tarn was our next encounter with waters scattered all over this upland area. We stopped briefly  at this lovely stretch of water. Here some of our members could not resist the temptation to visit childhood memories of scrambling around trees. Particularly fallen ones. 

  

And here we see a re-enactment of a famous scene....

  "Hear no evil - See no evil - speak no evil."

But weren't the originals monkeys ?  SOooo ! 

The path wound onwards. Now with gentler gradients but still with wonderful scenery.We were now walking down the charmingly named "Cuckoo Brow Lane"

As we approach the tail-end of our weekly walks we look for a final stopping place to finish our flask and perhaps, also,  to gather our strength and wits for the final stretch. We rarely, though, find one as pretty as this.

We were soon passing through the tiny hamlet of "Near Sawrey" where signposts pointed us in the direction of it's big sister "Far Sawrey" and "Hill Top" the home of Beatrix Potter. Our literary nerves, however, were not sufficiently jangled to divert us from our homeward path.

 

A final, rather steep, though thankfully short climb followed' before we plunged downhill to the Lake and the car park. 

An Excellent, tough more than tiring walk, with lots to be enjoyed along the route. Well done great and glorious NEW leader. 

p.s. There some minor details still to be added. The names of tarns, hills etc.

Snippets of interest along the way........

 Looking back to the viewpoint

 It almost looks unnatural doesn't it. No. Not you Jim. 

The stream.

Once upon a time .... deep in the enchanted wood.....

Great views... or what ?

 The, by now almost compulsory, bridge photo.

Antonio, Antonio, wherefore art thou Antonio ?