Still no sign of summer.

-
It's been another very changeable week in Cunbria with sunshine and plenty of heavy showers. The temperatures have been a long way below average and the wind has blown daily. What has happened to the summer of 2011?
I've managed to cycle on three nights after work with Susan joining me on one of the rounds and this weekend we've had a couple of short wanders. It's felt more like autumn than summer.
On Saturday we climbed Causey Pike and Scar Crags before returning to the car via Outerside, Stile End and Barrow. There was a lot of cloud on the higher tops but we only had a few light showers and enjoyed some good views. As always it was worth the effort and we enjoyed a post walk tea and scones in Fishers Cafe.  Both the fells and Keswick were very quiet for June.

Susan on the final scramble up Causey Pike.


On Causey Pike summit looking towards Scar Crags.


Approaching the top of Scar Crags.


A lot of footpath repair work was visible on Sail.
This has all been done since January 2011 when we last walked this ridge.


Wrapped up for Autumn on Outerside.


The summit of Barrow - tea and scones await in Keswick beyond.


Today we woke to grey skies and rain. Determined to get out and do something we headed to one of our nearest fells - Blake Fell (9 miles from home). With full lightweight waterproofs on we set off from Felldyke Car Park and did a complete circuit of Cogra Moss via Blake Fell summit. My old Lowe Alpine overtrousers gave up about half way round and I was soaked on returning to the car. A new pair will be needed soon if the summer continues like this.

A damp Susan in Blake Fells summit 'shelter'.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A week in Scotland.

-
Image
A week ago now we had an excellent 8 days up in Scotland spending time in Symington, Aviemore and Glasgow. We drove up to Symington on Friday 7 July and on the Saturday had a great ride to Peebles where, of course, we visited Cocoa Blacks for a wee treat. On Sunday we were up early and heading north to Aviemore and the Glenmore Campsite - one of my favourites despite changes in recent years. We had a leisurely drive but still had time for a ride once we'd 'set up camp'. Our route was a circuit to Boat of Garten and then a steep climb up the 'Ski Road' to the base of the Cairngorm Ski Station. This reached 20% in places and Susan wondered why we needed to do it. The views and the descent made it worthwhile.  The weather forecast for Monday wasn't too bad so we decided on a walk in the mountains. We drove up to the Ski Station and then headed for Scotland's second highest top Ben Macdui. It was overcast but dry as ...
Read more

Week off.

-
Image
Susan had last week off work and typically the weather has been very changeable.  On seeing the forecast we decided not to travel up north. The first weekend and Monday was spent in Dumfries and Symington and we cycled on all three days in mixed weather. A red dot in a sea of green - climbing over to Glenkiln. Higher on the climb over to Glenkiln, Dumfries. Disappearing towards Glenkiln.   On the road to New Abbey, Dumfries. Climbing out of New Abbey. On Tuesday we decided to head off on a short camping trip to the south Lakes. Due to the 6 month closure of the Keswick to Ambleside road we've not been beyond Dunmail Raise so this was a great change of scene. We headed first to Coniston to walk the fells above the village something we've not done for 10 years. Again the weather wasn't great for July but we got some great views and thoroughly enjoyed the round. On the Walna Scar Road. Threatening clouds above the fells. ...
Read more

Happy New Year.

-
Image
We decided to stay in Cumbria this New Year - a first for Susan!!! Thankfully the weather was much better than over the Christmas period and we were out on the hill every day. Hogmanay was overcast and windy but it was dry and we had a good day climbing over Bannerdale Crags and Blencathra. There were few people out but when we went into Keswick it was busier than ever. Dropping in to the Glenderamackin valley. A makeshift bridge across the burn - the bridge was washed away in Storm Desmond 2015. Climbing up onto the east ridge of Bannerdale Crags. On the east ridge . Some easy scrambling. Nearing the top. Good views despite the cloud. The sun trying to break through as we reach the summit. Heading for Blencathra. Susan battles into a strong wind. Looking to Thirlmere from a very windy summit. Looking to Derwent Water. On the descent. Dropping down to Scales Tarn to try and get out o...
Read more