It was Thursday, and all was well, as Shaun had brought the tea and we had steaming mugs in paw and the biscuit tin was open before us.
"I love these chocolate caramel wafers", said Allen.
"Another of the biscuits that Dad buys from Craig our Ringtons man", said Tetley. "I got Dad to get an extra pack for our biscuit tin."
"Well done pal" replied Shaun.
Turning thoughts to walking Little Eric said, "are we going out this weekend?"
"I have been talking to Dad and the answer is yes", said Grizzly. "His plan is to go to Loweswater on Sunday. There is just one summit we have not climbed in the Fellbarrow group, called Darling Fell. It is one of the few Birketts we have outstanding."
"There are a few other summits Wainwrights and Birketts on that area, which I have not climbed", stated Little Eric.
"That is why Dad plans to repeat them all for your sake", replied Grizzly.
"Oh I really do have the very best Dad in all the world."
His mug refilled, Allen was tapping away at the laptop. "Hmm. The forecast is not very good. Sunday is to be cold and very misty. Not really worth the long drive, as there will not be any decent views."
"Better to leave that walk for the spring and longer days then", went on Grizzly.
"It will be dry, so a walk can still be on, just more local", suggested Tetley.
"I have an idea", said Shaun. "How about we do some Wainwright Outlyers, as they will not be lost in the mist. We could repeat School Knott and Grandsire, starting from Ings where there is plenty of parking. And Little Eric, it will advance your Outlyer challenge."
"Oh pal that would be wonderful. They are so close to home, and finally I will tick them off."
"So, we need to put our proposal to Dad", said Shaun.
Draining his mug, Allen called out, "I'll go as I have the weather forecast in my mind."
"Thanks pal", said Tetley. "I guess you will want another mug of tea for when you get back."
"Yes please", said Allen as he trotted out of the room.
Shaun shook his head as he poured the tea. "What a tea belly he is just like Dad."
Soon back, Allen said, "thanks pal", as he picked up the steaming mug. "Dad is grateful that we had checked the weather, and agrees that we leave the Fellbarrow group for later. He is quite happy with our suggestion, especially as it will move Little Eric's Outlyer total on."
"Yippee", cheered Little Eric, "here's to Sunday."
A very misty and cold winter's
day, as we set out to the start.
The summits lie just to the east of the town of Windermere,
and are very popular with locals for a pleasant stroll.
We started, as we had when had when we had previously done this walk in 2006, from the village of Ings, where there is a large parking area by the Little Chef.
As we arrived, Allen said, "well
Dad, there is no problem finding somewhere for a snack after the
walk."
"No lad, I am definitely going there afterwards."
Soon ready and with us snuggled deeply in the rucksack, we strolled through the tiny
village passing St Anne's church and the Watermill Inn.
"Not only is it a pub and restaurant, but they brew there own beer for sale", commented Grizzly.
Just before the lane rejoined the main A591, we turned left along the gated road.
"There is a view back to the village, which will make a nice shot to start our story", said Allen. The hill behind the church is Reston Scar, another Wainwright Outlyer. We have all without exception climbed that."
Passing under the railway, Shaun said, "we will soon take the path to the right. There is a signpost I recall."
"The signpost reads 'Whasdike, half a mile', said Little Eric.
"Yes we walk to that farm initially", replied Shaun.
Through the gate Dad strode out, until Tetley said, "look that blackfaced sheep is posing for you Dad."
"Hmph", growled Allen. "You are just winding me up. There goes the sheep picture free story again."
"I bet it is glad of its fleece to keep warm on such a cold day", commented Shaun.
Shortly we crossed the wall via this substantial stone step stile, Little Eric commenting, "such big steps. Glad I am in the rucksack."
Heading on across the fields we arrived at Whasdike Farm. "We follow the access track to the road and keep ahead there. The road will then shortly bend right. There keep ahead", advised Shaun.
This brought us to a wall bounding Schoolknott Plantation that we entered via this plank bridge and tall kissing gate.
Tetley said, "the beck is joined by some side streams and according to the map is called Mill Beck and eventually empties into Windermere."
The path meandered through
the bare trees, to a similar gate at the other side. Shaun said, "the main path continues to join that from Windermere to School Knott. However it will be quicker to take the first path left and ascend directly to the
rocky outcrop of its summit.
Arriving Little Eric cheered, "another Outlyer ticked off. Picture time."
Grizzly said, "the name is presumably the 'rocky height near the school'. This is according to Diana Whaley's book. She goes on to say that in about 1692 Machell described a two two-storey stone-built school 100 yards south-east of Windermere church, which would be just over half a mile from here."
"Thanks pal. You always add interest to our walks", said Allen. Then he went on, "what a shame, there should be a superb view
of Windermere and the high fells beyond, but such is the low
cloud and mist, that today we can barely see the lake", said Allen.
"Where to now", said Little Eric, as he snuggled into the rucksack again.
Shaun replied, "following Wainwright's route in his book, we descend first to the
pretty School Knott Tarn."
"Nice reflections", said Grizzly.
Shaun issued further instructions. "Now cross the outfall and stile beyond,
to come to the bridleway to Hag End, where we turn left."
Tetley pointed, "that is the nameless summit that Wainwright includes in this chapter. Little Eric has not been to that and for his sake we aught to climb to it again."
"Thanks pals, and Dad of course."
So, crossing the bridleway, we made
a direct climb to the summit by the cross wall. Grizzly said, "Wainwright indicates the rocky outcrop on the other side is probably higher, but the land
is private."
"Not according to the Ordnance Survey", replied Allen. "They show the spot height as against the wall on this side."
Dad said, "Lads, sit on the wall while I take your summit picture."
Returning to the bridleway, it was now right passing through a gate, where Dad immediately climbed left to gain the cairned top of Grandsire.
We quickly scrambled out and sat on the cairn.
"Brr", said Grizzly, "it is really cold in the biting wind", as with the rest of us he quickly snuggled into the rucksack again.
As can be seen just behind us a wall descends the fell and Shaun said, "we should follow this down to regain the bridleway."
Beyond the gate in the
wall, we walked on to pass through Hag End Farm. "Look at those ducks. Get a picture please Dad", called out Allen. "Make a change from sheep."
Then on along its access track to the road where Grizzly enquired, "so go left and follow the road to Ings?"
"We could indeed, and that would be the simplest route, but I have decided to walk some of the Dales Way, to avoid some of the road."
"Ahh Dad, that will make for a more interesting day, thank you", said Little Eric.
"So", said Shaun, looking at the map. "It's right to the house called Outrun Nook."
There we took the gate in the wall along the Dales Way, that brought us to Crag House leaving the track to the left of the buildings to walk by the wall to a junction of paths.
"If we are keeping on the Dales Way, it is through the gate on the left", said Allen spotting the sign.
"Yes lad", replied Dad.
By the wall we descended across the large field on a terraced path to
another gate, beyond which going left the path climbed and wound its way through
gorse bushes, to a junction of paths by a wood with this three-armed signpost.
Shaun looking at the map said, "if we are to get back to Ings we need to take the bridleway leading to the house called Borwick Fold."
As you might realise from the trees this picture was taken on another walk.
Approaching, we were followed by the sheep in the field,
baaing loudly.
"They're saying hello to you
Shaun", said Dad
"I'm not so sure Dad", he
replied. "I think they are hoping you will get the camera
out, as word must have got round how you are always taking
pictures of sheep."
"Hmph, don't I know it", grumped Allen, as he saw Dad haul the camera out of the bag.
Reaching the road, Shaun directed. "we turn right for a few yards then take the path left by the wood."
This was muddy across the pasture. Then via stiles at either end we walked through woodland. Beyond we
then descended the steep slope to the road. Turning left, this was
followed back to the start.
As we entered the village Dad pointed, "look lads that is a very old fashioned warning sign for a school. It must date back to the time I was at school or possibly even earlier. "
"A picture of St Anne's church will make a nice end to the story", suggested Allen.
"OK lad", as Dad entered the
churchyard.
"A nice stroll", said Tetley, "thank you as always Dad."
Dad was hungry, so what's new, and
following Allen's suggestion he went to the Little Chef. Here he
had orange juice, the Olympic breakfast and a pot of tea.
Meanwhile we sat in the car to have our picnic with warming mugs of tea.
So,
us all duly fortified, Dad then drove us home.
"Thanks Dad, for doing these
fells again so that I could tick them off", called out
Little Eric, as we rode along.
"You are welcome lad. It was a suitable walk for the conditions today."
