~Rydal Round~
11th October 2014
Rydal Water
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
Early On
Departure day at the end of our week in Chapel Stile. I think we've made the most of what has been a mixed week, weatherwise. Everyday has presented us with walking opportunities and anywhere in the greater Langdale region is a good base for dog walkers. Molly and I set off for a walk from the cottage at 06:35hrs, read on to see where we ended up ...
Not In Use
Pelter Bridge car park has a Pay & Display system. "They" suggest you can pay by "mobile" - how arrogant and presumptious to assume that we all carry mobiles that work in this area! And the machine has failed, so free parking for this walk around Rydal Water. But for good measure a timed photo of the malfunctioning unit.
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We took the anti-clockwise route and walked up past Rydal Mount for the "coffin route" to/from Grasmere. It's dry; everyday during our stay it has rained for some part of the day and we're expecting rainfall at some point on this walk.
Loughrigg Fell and Rydal Water
Last time we did this walk we went the other way round, that's how exciting this walk can be!
Rydal Island
If we had walked the other way round, we would be enjoying reflections at shore level, I expected the water to be less still later on.
The Coffin Route
If you're not going as far as Grasmere, watch for the footpath down to the main road and be mindful of the fact that there are no gates or fences to keep unleashed dogs from straying onto the road. I knew this and had Molly on the lead, but it could be dangerous.
Public Conveniences at White Moss
It's worth knowing where the loos are. At the time of reporting, there are no charges. The positioning of the logs is curious :-)
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White Moss
This is roughly the halfway point and maybe the second half will remain dry?
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Nab Scar is the fell in view on this leg back to the car. Molly is doing well, still occasionally lifting her rear left leg.
Water Play
Molly met a lookalike, even with a curly tail and they had a play in the water. One day, Molly and I will swim to the islands together, most likely in summer.
Silver How
The fell up there is Silver How, a pleasant uphill walk for anyone in the Chapel Stile or Grasmere areas. In fact, here's one we did earlier ...
Silver How Summit
Molly and I made it up here, through the mist and murk of the pre-dawn period and arrived at 07:23hrs. A little route knowledge was very handy. Also a study of the Wainwright pages as one path on the ascent is marked as not going to the summit. 48 minutes from the cottage to the top - now finding the right way down might be just as much a challenge.
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Misty Scene |
Megs Gill |
We could hear Megs Gill before we found it and then as a bank of cloud drifted away, the gill became visible.
Megs Gill
You might just be able to make out the path on the right-hand side of the beck, leading directly to Walthwaite, next door to Chapel Stile. Up and down in just over 1hr 40mins.
Last Look
The last look at Rydal Water, for now. It never rained, but the heavens opened whilst we were in the safe haven of Rydal Hall Tearoom, a shame for the couple we shared a table with - they were at the halfway point on their walk. Back home and the setting sun was viewed from the back fields.
Sunset
Walkers: Karen, Me and Molly the Dog.
Time taken: 2hrs over a distance of about 4 miles.
Route: Around Rydal water in an anti-clockwise direction.
Weather: Dry.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2014 ©
Take me back to the start ....