I followed my own advice (see Ambling with added children) and only took one man-cub with us on this walk. Boy2 came along and did brilliantly. He kept asking John and me how many marks out of ten we would give the walk (based upon no specific criterion, this is very difficult to do!) and mentioned on more than one occasion that he enjoyed the chatting because he understood everything we were talking about. Bless.
We planned a route based on one in my 'Low level and lake walks' book, which we amended to add in a pub stop for lunch (which I enjoyed), and some scrambling around Cathedral Quarry (which I observed). Having avoided a minor domestic about the fact John chose to park where his Mum had advised, rather than where I suggested, we set off on foot from near Skelwith Bridge, stopping to photograph another map (just in case the one in the book, and the OS proper one weren't good enough. Should have been a boy scout, me).
We found our way quickly to the River Rothay, and then Elterwater itself, which soothed my angst in the way only the Lakes can :-)
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| It's a log, not someone drowning, I promise. (Did have to zoom in though to double check) |
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| Loving the zoom on my camera :-) |
Elterwater was serene, but unfortunately the day was grey, and I couldn't capture it well enough. There were lots of bluebells though, just coming into bloom.
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| Obligatory dog-on-a-rock pose... with added bluebells |
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| The walk followed the river up out from the lake |
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| to the pretty village of Elterwater |
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| Usko adopts his usual nosey-neighbour pose |
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| Not sure why he looks so worried... maybe he knew of the hill which was to come |
I then fell out with 'that book woman' again. She told us the track 'rises gradually'. Hmmmn. Mental note made to never buy her 'High Level and Fell Walks' book.
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| You see how the path drops dramatically out of view? That's because it drops dramatically. Not gradually. Tchuh. |
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| View afterwards was lovely though |
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| So we stopped for a brew |
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| Poor Boy2's dreadful parents had forgotten to pack his drink, so he had to make do with tea. I think he was pleasantly surprised at how inoffensive it was |
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| Disappointed that the cloud was over the mountain tops |
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| Our first view of Little Langdale Tarn |
Some of you may be aware that my new camera is very fancypants, and therefore I am rather rubbish at operating it to its full potential. I decided to have a go with 'miniature effect' and make some farm buildings and tractors look like little models. Great fun.
We continued on towards Little Langdale Tarn. So called because of the mountain being 'Little Langdale' rather than the tarn being small.
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| He volunteered to carry the rucksack. Honest. |
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| Ok, so I had another go with the miniature function |
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| What goes up... |
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| That Book Woman told us to 'negotiate a rock step'. Step this ain't. Try 'small sheer drop'. |
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| Then we had to ford a beck |
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| don't know why I'm holding my trousers up! |
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| And soon we could see the tarn from the other end |
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| And yes, the sun came out!! Woohoo! |
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| Dog on an oversized rock |
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| Back on the level |
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| Tarn from the other side of the valley |
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| Slater's Bridge |
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| Looking at the photo now, I am noticing how precariously balanced it appears!! |
We then took a short diversion to the Three Shires Inn for our lunch. We only took one picture and it's not very complimentary, so you'll have to imagine how beautiful the food was that we devoured in our ravenous hunger.
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| In the Lakes, even the walls are pretty |
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| Did a bit of 'take photos like Dad used to' and scrambled over tree roots and rocks, in order to capture this (I am reliably informed) grey wagtail. |
We then diverted from the official walk again (I know! Twice in one walk! Get me!) to go to the Quarries, which are owned and managed by the National Trust.
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| Cathedral Quarry |
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| Yes, they've clambered up there |
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| The beautiful view on the way out |
Having explored the quarries for 'not long enough' (boy2), we found our way back onto the official walk.
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| We crossed the River Brathay |
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| to find the beautiful Colwith Force |
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| Drunk on tea and cookies |
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| All welcome at the guesthouse on the Cumbria Way |
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| Although they can be a little nosey |
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| A bit more gorgeous greenery |
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| to find ourselves at Skelwith Force |
We then headed back to the car, but not without taking in the view over the still waters of the River Rothay.
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| Before we knew it, we'd come full 'circle'. Or perhaps 'triangle with extra bits' |
What a wonderful way to spend Star Wars day ... although in our case, it was 'May the Colwith and Skelwith Force be with you'. You can have that for free folks ;-)
