A week of summer.

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It's been a great summer week in Cumbria and we've tried to make the most of it.
On Monday we went for for a cycle in warm sunshine that gave some terrific views of the western fells.

Climbing up onto Dean Moor with the western fells as a backdrop.


On Tuesday we left the bikes behind and headed for our nearest hill Blake Fell. We had a great wander over this and again the evening light gave some excellent views especially as we walked back to the car along the shores of Cogra Moss.

Climbing Blake Fell looking towards the Grasmoor.


The final section of the ascent looking towards Buttermere.


Blake fell summit.


Views of Blake Fell from Cogra Moss.






Wednesday was another cycling night - again in warm sunshine. Unfortunately this ride was slightly marred by me getting two punctures. The first near Dean was fixed by the roadside but as the second was less than a mile for home I decided to just push the bike.

Thursday was probably the hottest day of the week and I headed off climbing with Pete and Jeff. We chose to park at the Bowderstone Car Park in Borrowdale to give us access to two crags. We went first up to Quayfoot Buttress where we climbed the 60m V.Diff of the same name in two pitches. We've climbed many of the harder routes here in the past but at present felt it better to ab off and go to nearby Woden's Face. Here we climbed Woden's Face Direct (S) before heading back to Keswick for chips and a pint.

Jeff on the first pitch of Quayfoot Buttress.


Pete on pitch one.


Not a bad view from the belay.


Pete and Jeff sorting out the tangle of ropes on the belay.


Starting pitch two.


Pete on the 60m abseil off.


Jeff on Woden's Face Direct.


Jeff enjoying being out on the crag again.


Pete setting up the ropes to ab off.


Me abseiling off Woden's Face.



To round the working week off on Friday we decided on a walk down to the harbour. It was another warm and sunny evening giving great views south to St Bees Head and across the Solway to Scotland.

Today's forecast was for rain in the west by mid afternoon so we set out early and headed east to Keswick with the bikes on the car. We parked up at the Football Club Car Park and head of to Cycle around the Skiddaw/ Blencathra Massif. This is an excellent 50 mile circuit on quiet roads and has some challenging little climbs. It also has the excellent Greystoke Cycle Cafe where we stopped for a brew and a slice of Carrot Cake. Although the sky was cloudier than of late we thoroughly enjoyed the round and it stayed dry all day. The Tour de France is definitely bringing cyclists out. We passed several today including 3 big groups.

9 miles into the round.


Susan happy to have reached the top of the steep hill out of Uldale.


Great riding on quiet backroads. 


Taking it easy - Hesket Newmarket village green.


A brew and carrot cake - Greystoke Cafe.



Leaving the great cyclists cafe.

A great day to cycle.


Heading back to Keswick with Blencathra as a backdrop.


Happy to be out on the bike.


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