Familiar

Everyone was put off by the weather and so a trip up and over the Coledlale Horseshoe was sensibly cancelled.

High winds, blustery showers and severe windchill.

On the high ground.

But stay a bit lower and it’s a different world.

Almost.

Winds which push would have pushed me off the ridges still rattled in the tops of the trees and occasionally peppered me  with hail.

It certainly wasn’t as mild as recent weeks.

I’d not walk over Claife Heights for years.  At one time it was a favourite family walk.  Walked first in my own childhood, with my parents, and latterly with my son as he was growing up.

Windermere

Supposedly familiar it still threw up some surprises, and yes, I’d forgotten a lot.

Starting off on Windermere at Ash Landing.  Up to the  Victorian viewing platform, in ruins the last time I saw it.  Now partially restored by the National Trust.  Apparently the Victorians thought too much of an ‘awesome’ view would make the delicate fairer sex faint!

Victorian viewing station at Ash Landing

I followed the hill north.  Winter having shed leaves to a carpet, opening up the view over Windermere.

Much of the thickest areas have been forested.  Some areas in Cumbria are being replanted with mixed trees now rather than pure softwood plantations.  A welcome change from dark, dismal rows.

Claife Heights woodlands

All was easy to follow and way marked for a change.  I followed signs for Hawkshead for the most part, before taking a left turn back towards Far Sawrey.  The essential turn, and not actually signed, but hardly difficult navigaion.

Three Dubbs Tarn

Out of the woods and through soggy green pastures dotted with tarns.  One of which, Moss Eccles Tarn,  was noted as having been bought by Beatrix Potter after her marriage to Mr Heelis.

May be not as thrilling or as awe inspiring as being on top of a mountain, but equally interesting.

The map

Route Map