Quernmore. At the northern end of the Trough of Bowland.

                   

                       The car park was in the middle of nowhere, if there is such a place.

I was undecided whether to wear my winter coat today, or not. But the cold chill that greeted us as we alighted from Mikes car, made the decision for me. It was definitely colder than back home.

The broad grassy path was reminiscent of parts of some of the National Footpaths. But in the foothills of the Trough of Bowland, who would maintain paths like this one? 

                      The milky winter sun had made no impression on parts of the path.

There was some puzzlement about what was the purpose of this, what can I  call it? A monument? but surely a monument has to be dedicated to someone, or some event. Anyway it is now dedicated to the place where the Meanderthals stopped for a morning brew on 25 November 2021

              There were only two stiles on this walk, both like this one very robust.

There was a definite drop in temperature as we descended into this valley, through which a minor river flowed. The river acted as a defining line between Arctic and almost temperate conditions.

In order to reach the more temperate side of the river there was a choice of not one but two bridges, neither of which would have conformed to Health and Safety standards. So Martin took the third option, wading across the ford.

                                                 Dinner time on the sunny side.

One of a few isolated farmsteads, which could prove to be harsh places to live in the depths of winter.

John, looking like a lost sailor.

Danny had brought some bird seed with him. This pair of gorgeous birds that where pecking away in a field, paid little interest in us, until some seed was sprinkled over the wall. The plumage on both birds was just stunning.

A bit further along the road on the opposite side, This longhorn bull left off from it's grazing as it watched us pass by.

The walk was not a very long one this week but nevertheless a very enjoyable one. 

Thanks John. DK

 

QUERNMORE

 SHORT but SWEET    3 (?)  Miles

SWEETHEARTS 😲  Vic, John, Anthony 

                                     Martin, Mike, Danny

The rather obscure little car park was perhaps rather better known than we thought as it was already half full when we arrived.

The weather forecast was good so, with frost in the air and blue skies overhead, we set off.

OOPS !  Either we are not welcome here or somebody's already lost two keys.

No matter .   The five barred gate was locked but the "Kissing Gate" let us through.

We immediately found ourselves on a most unusual footpath which for a large portion of it's length resembled a neatly mown lawn.

The winter sun was bright but wherever there were still shadows  the ground was white with frost. To our right were the fell footpaths leading up to Clougha Pike.  A superb walk but not for us today

  

As always on our elderly ramble, coffee breaks are compulsory.

 With a rocky edge ahead of us seating looked possible .

Whilst most of us walked through a gap in the rocky cleft, Danny (as suggested ) searched the rocks for comfortable seating. As you can see, comfortable situations did not easily present themselves.

Danny eventually found a comfortable spot to take his coffee break (I THINK)

Others found their own rock seats to imbibe.   Martin seems to have dropped 5p as he searched in  his rucksack. He insisted on lifting the rock to retrieve it !!!!!

As we continued to follow the splendid footpath we encountered one or two tricky bits (Rocky and Icy.  We also saw some unusual footprints. ( Anyone enlighten us?)

As we walk we all,  perhaps, have our own "Bete Noir".  For me it is heights. I find them terrifying. For others stiles present quite an obstacle. Our next stretch of the walk brought us both.

Approaching  awkward stiles at each end of what we could only think was an aqueduct.

Beyond the railings a 40/50 foot drop into a deep ravine.

The path continued with interest and superb views on either side.

Our next stile posed an even more difficult challenge. impossible actually.

No ! Not impossible. Five yards to the right was a wide open gate.

From here the track steeply dropped down to a rather chilly looking ford.

Fortunately there was a bridge

Two bridges in fact. A couple of brave souls did cross by the ford.

Lunchtime, This is a moveable feast ( in reality ?) dictated by "Time" and availability of seating.    as both criteria were being met here  ...... we dined.

This rather miniscule stream is actually the headwater of the "Mighty Conder" which empties itself into the sea at Glasson, having hardly grown much bigger !

You may notice that there is a mist or steam above the little bridge which was rising from the ground as the sun warmed it.

The far side of the stream was still largely in the shade and was still a frosty white compared to the green on the side where we were sitting.

Lunch over we climbed out of the Conder Valley to meet up with the "Littledale Road" as it made it's way through a supremely pretty area.

The area was VERY quiet. Only one , possibly two cars, passed us in the next 45 minutes. The area was by no means flat but the road only rose  a short distance each time before dropping down again or levelling out.

Delightful Autumnal colours abounded. (Can you see the Meanderthals in this shot ?)

As we returned down this lovely lane the footpath we had followed on our outward journey was just across the fields . There's the rocky outcrop that Danny had scaled earlier in the day.

Nearly back to the cars now but still time for Danny to take a photo of a Longhorn cow in the roadside field.

The low winter sun has a tendency to wash colours out of some shots.

And of course photos cannot record the amount of laughter and amusement we enjoy together on each weeks walks.

 A grand short walk in good company. Thanks everybody !

THE END

JW

Ascent of Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks from Honister. 7.75 miles 2400 ft. Walkers Michael D and Danny K

                 Daybreak at Honister Slate Mines. Michael is eager to get started on our walk.

As we walk through the grounds of the slate mine, ahead of us is Honister Crag. Fleetwith Pike lies behind it but out of sight.

                                                 Heading up a well constructed path.

It is quite chilly but the climb soon gets the blood pumping to warm us up. The sun is just coming up and lighting up Dale Head Crags on the opposite side of the Honister Pass.

                     The sun is now breaking cover above Gray Knott over to our left.

                                 Michael beside the summit cairn of Fleetwith Pike.

                                                                      Ditto. Danny.

                         Buttermere and Crummock Water in the early morning haze.

As we make our way down, the dark crags of Haystacks are in the shade, and likely to be for most of the day.

Among the spoils of a quarry, a Bothy has been built, to provide refuge for anyone in difficulties.

                    

Inside the Bothy are some hard wooden beds, chairs, a stove and some basic provisions. Someone has even put up some Christmas lights. Not luxurious, but better than the alternative.

Well hidden, at the bottom of a scree fall, below Haystacks crags is another bothy, but it appears to be occupied.

                          The entrance to it, is through a narrow doorway round the back.

                                                           Inside the bothy is, guess who ??

                                    You would never have guessed would you ?😇

Apart from Father Christmas, other people had been in occupation. For as we entered we found three rucksacks, some walking sticks plus other belongings, but there was no sign of the owners. We decided to leave the sprigs of Christmas tree as a gift for the occupants when they returned.

The view out of the window of the bothy was just lovely. People pay many thousands of pound to have a view like that.

       We leave the bothy, closing the door behind us, to continue our climb of Haystacks.

Looking back to Helwith Pike. As we make our way up the edge of the crags, we noticed three people, two young men and a young lady on their way down. Furthermore they were not carrying rucksacks. When we met, we enquired if they were the people occupying the bothy. Last night we did said one of the lads, and it was freezing. Did you sleep on the hard wooden beds we asked? We did he replied, the others joined in emphasizing how cold it was. We told them we had left a little decoration for them. They thanked us and went on their way.

       We continued our climb, reaching a plateau, further on we passed Blackbeck Tarn.

        From here we descend before climbing back up to the bulk of the mountain. (centre)

      

                                  We passed across the edge of Inordinate Tarn.

Haystacks has two summit cairns, separated by a valley. This is the slightly lower one. Fleetwith Pike is in the background, to the left.

     

Michael at the other summit, trying to report to base camp, but was having difficulty getting a signal.

                           On the way back down, Great Gable in centre of picture

                                          Thanks for a very good walk Michael.

                                                                          DK