A good start to Autumn.

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This week has seen the start of Autumn and it's been a good one in Cumbria. 
On Tuesday I took part in the Friends of the Lake District Blencathra Fell Care Day. Having had many great days on this superb fell it was good to help maintain one of the footpaths that drops from the summit to Scales Tarn. I now hope to become a 'Fix the Fells' volunteer and take part in more such activities.

Blencathra Fell Care Day based in Threlkeld.


'Fix the Fells' footpath repair crew.


Heading up Blencathra with our shovels.


The main job was clearing blocked drains like this one.


An almost cleared drain.


A great day to be working on the hill.


Heading down at the end of the day.


On Tuesday Jeff, Pete and I headed to Shepherds Crag, Borrowdale to do some more climbing. It was overcast and rain threatened so we stuck to the Brown Slabs area and managed two routes before the heavens opened. We retreated to Keswick Climbing Wall and had a good session before arms and fingers had had enough.

Susan finished work early on Friday so we managed to squeeze in a 22 mile bike ride - our Eaglesfield round. It was a lovely sunny evening and the cycle was a great start to the weekend.

We wanted to climb Scafell Pike and Lingmell on Saturday as part of our 'Lakes 100' round. We knew that England's highest would be busy with dry weather forecast so headed out early. It was an overcast day but the visibility was good despite the lack of sunshine. Our route took us up Grains Gill and then onto the Pike via Esk Hause and Broad Crag col. The summit wasn't too busy but we started to meet crowds of '3 Peakers' as we descend to Lingmell col. Many were poorly equipped and would have struggled had the weather changed. Lingmell was, as always,  much quieter but we passed several large groups as we descend via the Corridor Route and Sty Head Tarn. An excellent wee round.

Stockley Bridge at the foot of Grains Gill.


At the top of Grains Gill below Great end.


Looking to the Langdale Pikes from above Esk Hause.


Heading for the 'Pike'.


On the path above Esk Hause.


On Broad Crag.


Climbing up from Broad Crag col.


Looking to Scafell from the summit of Scafell Pike.


England's highest Trig Point.


Heading to a much quieter Lingmell.


Lingmell summit.


Looking to Pillar from Lingmell.


On the Corridor Route.


Looking to Great Gable from the Corridor Route.


Looking down to Wasdale Head.


Dropping back down to Borrowdale.


Today we rode to Buttermere from home. It was a beautiful Autumn morning and a pleasure to be out on the bike. As it was also the day of the annual Jennings River Ride Sportive there were bikes everywhere - always good to see. We had an excellent cream tea in the best Buttermere cafe and rode 42 miles.

Riding along the shore of Crummock Water.


Mellbreak as a backdrop to the ride.


Grasmoor looms ahead.


A great day to be out on the bikes.



The road west near Eaglesfield.


Almost home above Branthwaite.



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