DGH and JRH Walks- 2022

 Our last day for this stay in The Lakes and, after the wind of yesterday we decided to do something different. We got the steamer- the Lady Dorothy- from Glenridding to Howtown (about 35 minutes). The nameplate for the Ullswater Steamer- Lady Dorothy We walked back- largely along the Ullswater Way- to Glenridding. The views were superb and the weather good, with a fantastic (and noisy) flypast by low-flying fighter jets. We even had a rainbow! All in all, a varied low-level walk of just over 7 miles. Our only disappointment was that the coffee shop was shut, so there were no toasted cheese sandwiches to be had. Even so, it was a nice finish to our Lake District trip.

 To avoid additional ascent when we returned to the car, we parked near Yew Tree Farm instead of Johns in the Vale Church as suggested by the guidebook (a good choice, although the church was in an amazing position). We had planned to go up Clough Head and then do Great Dodd, Watson's Dodd etc. The walk up to Clough Head was O.K. with a mix of undulating footpaths and scree. Ascent of Clough Head It was windy on the way up and on the top of Clough Head it was blowing a gale. Unusually, the trig point on the summit still had its original brass cap- most have had this removed and the mounting recess for surveying instruments filled with cement. Trig Point brass cap- still in place We walked on to Calflow Pike, and then, because of the wind, decided to retrace our steps and leave the rest of the summits for a more clement day. Clough Head summit The wind kept it up all the way down, and even at 8pm the wind was still gusting and blowing. Although the walk was only 6 miles, we did over...

 We were able to walk directly from our AirBnb up to Aria Force, which was quite dramatic. The upper reaches of Aria Force The Aria Force cascades begin We then began the traversing ascent of Gowbarrow Fell, with a lovely view of Ullswater to our right. The rising traverse of the ascent of Gowbarrow with Ullswater to our right More inquisitive Herdies, and Ullswater The mist had cleared and the sun was making a welcome appearance, so it made for very pleasant walking. The path undulated through pleasant hillside, eventually taking the final route up to the summit of Gowbarrow Fell. Gowbarrow Fell summit trig point We dropped down and had lunch, again with a view of Ullswater and moody fells in the distance. Ullswater and moody fells It was then a short walk back to Dockray, which is a tiny place- little more than half a dozen houses and a pub. A total of 5 miles in all.

 To The Lakes- to stay 3 nights in Dockray near Ullswater. We arrived at Brownrigg Farm at 1pm, having driven up from Stockport via the customary and welcome stop at Tebay. We decided to do Great Mell Fell first, and it was an easy walk up the slopes to the top. Approaching the summit of Great Mell Fell- Little Mell Fell in the background The modest cairn at the summit of Great Mell Fell Great Mell Fell is rather unfairly described in Stuart Marshall's book as "Quite extraordinarily dull". In fact, it was a good vantage point and good views were to be had. Atmospheric views from near the summit of Great Mell Fell We retraced our steps, went through Brownrigg Farm and then set off across the fields towards Little Mell Fell. It seemed to take quite a while to reach the summit, following a path which looked as if it had been gouged out by a digger. We did, however pass our first lot of classic Herdwick sheep. "Herdies" on the way to Little Mell Fell At the summit w...

 The forecast was good, so we headed to the lonely upper reaches of the Derwent Valley. We parked up at the Fagney Plantation, about a mile and a half short of the turning circle at the end of the road beside the Howden, Derwent and Ladybower reservoirs. We crossed the Derwent at the bridge at Slippery Stones and walked above the Cranberry Bed and along the Oaken Bank to Humber Knolls where we had lunch. Above The Derwent, approaching Humber Knolls As it was later than we had intended, we decided to go back but taking a different route. We backtracked a little and crossed the Derwent to take the track above Lower Small Clough. The track above Lower Small Clough The track passed several grouse butts and a couple of shooting cabins before more or less levelling out at the Black Dike drain, a disused "drain", which runs along the rounded ridge between Linch Clough and Grinah Grain. Approaching the Black Dyke "drain" Our final descent was down Linch Clough and we retrac...

 A walk with the occasional team of Paul, Andrew, Chas and Julian. There was a degree of confusion about the starting point, as I'd suggested a possible two, hoping that Carol's snack waggon would be where the Pennine Way crosses the A635. Unfortunately, the snack waggon wasn't there and my imprecise suggestion for the alternative parking spot near Wessenden Head weren't very helpful. However, it was a clear, crisp day despite the unpromising drizzle as I left home. Wessenden Head Reservoir at the start of the walk I had promised mud, and this was potentially a taste of what was to come. Contemplating the mud above Wessenden Reservoir. Photo: Chas We followed the Pennine Way north past Wessenden Head Reservoir and Wessenden Reservoir and up to the Swellands and Black Moss Reservoirs.  Passing Black Moss Reservoir This was our turning point and we then followed the original route of the Pennine Way south, crossing back over the A635 for the plod over Dean Head Moss. It s...

 David was out on a Night Navigation Course with Caroline McCann of  Pro-Mountain . It was a fabulous evening under the " Wolf Moon "- superbly clear and deliciously cold. Sunset (and mist) over Chapel-en-le-Frith We were found some straightforward, and then (very!) challenging objectives on Colborne Hill. Despite the bright moonlight, none of us actually saw the sheepfold that we were meant to find, despite being within 10-20 metres from it. More entertaining was a spot-height (521m). The four of us on the course were dotted around what felt like a very flat area and Caroline pointed out that this "summit" was only 1m higher than the somewhat distant ring-contour around it. We switched over to a contour-only map for our next object, a curious "polyp" sticking out from the 500m index contour. As we got nearer, it became clearer that it was the tiny plateau for the Cowburn Railway Tunnel Air Shaft. I'm happy to say that none of us altered our course for...

  Described as a "Honey-Pot" route, we set out to walk up Ramshaw Rocks and The Roaches (no Hen Cloud this visit).  Jacinta approaching Ramshaw Rocks Parking at Tittesworth Reservoir is always good value because of the bird life on display. We set out and continued in the mist up to Ramshaw Rocks- very atmospheric and a bit boggy.  Approaching Ramshaw Rocks The route took us across moorland and past Goldstich House.  As we walked to the last section across the length of The Roaches, the mist slowly began to lift and by the time we passed  Doxey Pool and dropped down to the saddle between The Roaches and Hen Cloud, it cleared. Looking back to Hen Cloud Looking back to Hen Cloud, we rather regretted not going up to admire the extensive views! The return to the car took us past Windygates and through very muddy fields and through Meerbrook. The walk was 10 miles in all and we rewarded ourselves with a really enjoyable meal of home-made chana masala.

  The forecast was great for our proposed walk, this time with Julian and Will Davis. We met at 12:00 at Clough House farm, just north of Wildboarclough. We walked up to The Cat and Fiddle, past Cumberland Brook and up Danethorn Hollow. Julian and Jacinta ascending Danethorn Hollow We sat outside the Cat and Fiddle, enjoying a coffee and their carrot and chilli stew. After this, we retraced our steps and passed the impressive, isolated chimney just by the A54. The next feature was the Three Shires Bridge- the light was absolutely stunning for mid-January. The sun was out, as was the moon, and the countryside shone as we made our way around. We made our way back to the car park at Clough House Farm, enjoying the sights and sounds of the East Cheshire countryside. The walk was about 7 miles in all, and the afternoon rounded off with a cup of tea with Julian and Will at Ann and Julian's beautifully upgraded home. Julian and Will at Cut-thorn Hill

 The weather was pretty settled so we made a trip out to Old Glossop for a walk up to Dog Rock and the Higher Shelf Stones trig point, close to the crash site of B29 "Overexposed". On the way out, we called Rob Naylor to see if he'd like to join us. He was able to take a couple of hours off from work and house renovations and walked up to Dog Rock with us.  Jacinta and Rob at Dog Rock It was great to see Rob again and get some fresh air in the better weather. Our return was down via James' Thorn and the little pool there, and the barn at Mossy Lea Farm, and back to our usual parking spot near the factory (but once the site of several mills). A total of 6.6 miles. Dowstone Clough from Dog Rock Jacinta at Dog Rock Looking back down Dowstone Clough

 We were just keen to do a short walk today so, as ever, a blow up to Shining Tor did the trick. It was very windy on the way up and we were glad to get to the top and refuel with a Snickers (Jacinta) and Double Decker (David). Today's photo of David at the trig point is oft photographed, but it is still a great spot. Shutlingsloe is just visible in the distance above the trig point.  Turned back and came down- lots of people (and dogs!) on the route which is unusual. During the last couple of walks there've been localised patches of sun, usually over Mount Famine and South Head. Unfortunately, the sun doesn't always shine when we're there. This photo is actually pretty level, although it might not seem to be: