Summary

Summits Achieved

The Walk

It was three weeks since our last walk, mainly due to Dad and Uncle Brian having been on holiday. See holiday in Peebles & Northumberland.

"Where are we going", asked Allen.

"I have decided to break myself in gently, and take you to Heughscar Hill", said Dad.

"Magic", exclaimed Allen, "this will mean I will finally catch Grizzly up, on Outlying Fells done".

It was dry with some sun and a pleasant temperature. When we climbed it last time with Uncle Eric in November 2004, we had started from Pooley Bridge on the shores of Ullswater. So for a change today Dad decided to follow the route as defined in AW's book. This started from the pretty village of Askham, having first driven through the Lowther Estate. By the village hall there is a good car park (honesty box 50p for half a day). Strolled through the village, in the direction of the cul-de-sac ahead.

Shortly we passed this old water pump. "Please will you take a picture for the story", asked Grizzly.

The road ended at a cattle grid, then continued ahead as a good track, climbing gently to reach a gate. Dad chatted to a farmer who had just filled an old bath with water for some horses.

The track climbed on gently, and just past the next plantation, we turned right up to the summit cairn that was clearly in view.

As we leapt out, Tetley shouted, "come on Dad take our picture!"

We then paused to enjoy the wonderful view to Ullswater with the high fells of the Helvellyn Ridge behind.

"Well, that's it" said Allen.

"For summits, yes", replied Dad, "but now I am going to take you to see the pre-historic stone circles and standing stones on Moor Divock."

"Oh, you are so good to us Dad, to make our adventures so interesting", he replied.

Walking north along the hill to Heugh Scar we then descended to the track, and went left. We were now on the High Street Roman Road. This runs for some 23 miles from Brougham Castle (BROCAVVM ROMAN FORT), then via Brougham Hall, Eamont Bridge, Yanwath, Tirril, and over Moor Divock - this was the area we were walking today. It then climbs over the long ridge crossing Loadpot Hill, Wether Hill, High Raise, Rampsgill Head and on to High Street, its highest point. Then it descends via Troutbeck Park, Troutbeck, Robin Lane & Jenkin Crag to end at GALAVA ROMAN FORT (Ambleside). We tried to visualise the cohorts of Roman soldiers that had walked along here, and wondered where they had originally come from, before they were posted to Britain.

Continuing we eventually arrived the at first site, a large stone circle known as The Cockpit. This is about 90 feet diameter, consisting of about 73 stones, raised on the inside of a low bank, the sizes of the stones ranging from 1 to 3 feet.

Leaving the Roman Road, we now walked left along a boggy path to a path junction.

"Where to now", enquired Grizzly.

Dad replied, "we turn right here and walk along to that large stone you can see ahead on the horizon. It is called the Cop Stone."

We were soon there, and Dad took this picture for us. Overall it is about 5 feet in height, and leaning. We can't help saying that from this angle it look rather like a very fat seal.

Backtracking we then branched off, and more or less in a line from the Cop Stone, the way passes between these two standing stones ( seen here looking back),

and then in a short distance arrived at what is known as the Cairn Circle.

This is raised on a small mound and has a deep depression in the centre. It consists of about 10 stones from 1 to 4 feet in height with many smaller stones between. You can just see the sheep who had found a comfortable spot in the shelter of one of the stones.

Setting off once again we followed a thin track. We had learnt a lot about the pre-historic sites on Moor Divock, and discussed them amongst ourselves, wondering about the people who had made them, and for what purpose.

Crossing a wide track, we continued ahead, to pick up a track which was followed to the gate we had passed through earlier. As we reached it a gentleman kindly opened it for us. He was waiting for the rest of his group, and so Dad chatted to him. We were spotted, so Dad explained all about us and the fact that we had a website, and he asked for the address. As we returned down the track this fine prospect of the Pennines was before us.

Soon we were crossing the cattle grid and strolling down the road into Askham.

Thanks Dad, for a most interesting day!!

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