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~Yewdale Fells & Buttermere~

17th May 2018

Buttermere

Buttermere

Tilberthwaite

A day featuring two great walks started in Tilberthwaite at 07:20hrs. The Yewdale Fells are often seen, but rarely explored and offer an interesting and varied terrain in the shadow of Coniston Old Man and Wetherlam.

Above Tilberthwaite Gill

Molly leads the way up the well-worn path on the south side of Tilberthwaite Gill.

Yewdale Moss

Yewdale Moss

We follow a path to the left of Yewdale Moss, aiming for the high points on the horizon.

~~~

Old Quarry

Old Quarry

The area is well populated with abandoned quarries, many of which are flooded and the environment shows other reminders of a lost industry.

~~~

Sweeten Crag

Molly on top of Sweeten Crag 1,410 ft asl

One of the many little summits on the Yewdale Fells.

Coniston Walk route

Coniston Old Man

The popular route to the top of Coniston Old Man follows the line of quarries up the fell. One of the disused quarries (according to the map) is being re-used.

High Wythow

High Wythow

Another top and a great view of Coniston Water. Needless to say, nobody about. More crags, dips and holes to find and explore...

Holly and Yew

Molly, Holly and Yew

Across this bracken-scape - which would be more difficult in a month or two - and the Yew tree offers something to aim for.

~~~

After a very enjoyable wander across unfrequented territory, I discover another abandoned mine. Walking in, camera in hand and some chaotic fluttering alerts me to a fledgling trying, but not quite succeeding to fly...

Song Thrush

Song Thrush

There are strict laws surrounding the photographing or disturbing of nesting birds, but here is a chance encounter with one that has left the nest and after the one photo, I left the scene and allowed the youngster time to recover from the shock of meeting me and hopefully gain some more flying practice.

Tilberthwaite Quarry

Tilberthwaite Quarry

I suppose it's only the passage of time and the progress of nature that makes these scenes attractive. We are lucky to be able to walk and explore these areas without much in the way of risk or danger. I just despair every time I see an item of litter; it's so disrespectful to those who worked the land so hard and for so little all those years ago.

Gatescarth

Gatescarth

And so to the second walk - a circuit of Buttermere. We are veterans of this low level Lakeland legwork, but we always save it for a wet day! This doesn't quite seem right; anyway it's our turn to go around in a clockwise direction and we start from Gatescarth at 11:35hrs.

Buttermere fields Fleetwith Pike

We are not alone today, most other walkers look to be of retirement age, but then so is my wife, Karen, but a twist of fate and a significant shift of the goalposts mean that she can't get her pension at the age she spent decades imagining she would. It's only going to get worse, I blame the government....

Buttermere and Robinson

Dalegarth

The fell opposite is Robinson and me n' Molly climbed up that way, above Dalegarth and to the right of Hassnesshow Beck back in July '16 and what a fine route of ascent it is, rather steep in places. You'll see nobody on the way up, but someone will be sat in the shelter when you get to the top.

Buttermear

Buttermere

Mellbreak is the fell at the end of the view and such sits alongside Crummock Water to the north-west. Nice init?

Darby and Joan

Darby & Joan

After a quick lunch at the Croft House Farm Cafe, we continued on the other side of the lake for our return to Gatescarth. Part of the path is closed off at this time of year to allow birds to breed in an orderly and unhurried manner.

Woods

Woods

The return is a pleasant combination of woods, fields, a tunnel, shoreline path and even a bit of tarmac.

Haystacks

Haystacks

Walkers: Molly and Me on the Yewdale Fells and Karen joined in for the Buttermere Walk.

Greetings: Nil on the first walk and loads on the second.

Refreshments: Croft House Farm Cafe is very good and outdoor seating allows for dogs and also for anyone afraid of ceilings.

Weather and conditions: Sunny and warm.

Woodpecker

Woodpecker

Close to our cottage, they appeared to be nesting in the telegraph pole.

All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2018 ©

Take me back to the start ....

Take me home....