Mosedale Valley from Little Dodd. Note the Holly bush in the centre.

Red Gill and Starling Dodd leading to the Floutern Pass.

Looking back from the head of Mosedale Valley. Darling Fell and Low Fell in the centre.

The Mosedale Holly Bush.

Hen Comb

Tuesday, 13th June

I thought I might climb Gavel Fell today and finish the walk I began several months ago with Blake Fell and Burnbank. However I fancied walking around the far corner of Crummock and taking another look at the Fish Ladders so I parked up at Scale Hill car park and climbed Hen Comb instead.This turned out to be a delightful walk as I had not seen the Mosedale Valley before. I got very excited when I saw the Mosedale Holly Bush in the distance. This is the only individual tree that is mentioned on the O.S. maps of the Lake District and is something I have always wanted to meet.

Although I had planned to return the same way as I had ascended, I decided to come down the other side. This proved to be a mistake in one way because it took me nearly two hours to cross the bog at the bottom. I should have simpley followed the curve of Hen Comb round to reach the central path. I walked nearly to the waterfall at the base of Red Pike and then picked up the path around the base of Mellbreak. This was good because I actually got a close-up look at the Holly Tree, which I had not expected to be able to do.

Mosedale Valley really fascinated me. I think I have mentioned befoe that I love the mountain passes. They seem so mysterious to me, leading from one place to another, a secret place that is not a place in itself but a place where people pass through. There is a sense of movement, timelessness and lonliness here - wonderful. I also discovered a small path which follows the river, from the car park. This was much more peaceful, pretty and interesting than the forest path I usually take to the lake.

I have had a lovely day.

The bridge on Sticks Pass.

Sheffield Pike

Thursday, 18th June

Still very hot. Have had to wear long sleeves owing to a little sun-burn on tops of arms and back of my neck. I have walked Sticks Pass before and was surprised just how much I remembered. I like the bleak summit of the pass - which has grown a bridge since I was last here. Catstycam looks majestic from here but unfortunately today everything was misted over because of the heat, so no photos except of the bridge. I find the passes through the mountains particularly exciting which is why I took it.

Kirkby Lonsdale

Tuesday, 6th June

Had to drop my son off at school, which is at Kirkby so after some shopping (I found a lovely container for our small window ledge by the front door) I decided to walk to the Courtyard Garden Nuseries at Kearstwick nearby. It was a very hot day and when I got there I had both a cold drink, and ice cream and some tea. It was very pleasant sitting in the garden drinking tea whilst reading. Afterwards I bought some plants (to put in the container I had bought at Kirkby). A pleasant day.

Columns by Giles Kent.

Carron Crag.

Me in Linda's sculpture.

17o South by Linda Watson.

Sunday, 4th June

Haven't been to Grizedale for ages, or so it seems so it felt really good to be back there again. Today seemed like a day for saying Goodbye to old friends as two of the art pieces we went to re-visit had been taken down. As they were both favourites I felt very sad, especially as one had been replaced with what looked like a couple of stuffed owls in a perspex box (apologies to the artist but I liked the Sitouter).

Climbed to the summit of Carron Crag and then went to take another look at Linda's piece. Actually sat in Linda's piece and had my photo taken. I had forgotten just how big it is. Apparently the powers that be wanted her to place the sculpture in a different place because they didn't think they would be able to get the pieces up there but Linda managed to get the help of some unfortunate (her word, not mine) art students to carry up the pieces in large sheets because Linda insisted (as any true artist should in my opinion) that it had to be placed just there. You can see why.

Tarn at Leaves - a nice quiet place. Note the pointed back of Pike O' Stickle along the ridge to the right.

View from summit showing the back of Fleetwith Pike in the centre and High Crag and High Stile on the left.

View from the summit showing Derwentwater in the centre and Kings How on the right.

Tarn at Leaves

Thursday, 1st June

Ascended the boring way - up Combe Gill. Have been here before, many years ago but did not ascend the summit. Easy scramble to the top with remarkable views. Good to see the tarn again. Sometimes it feels like revisiting old friends; these tarns, crags, trees and other landmarks.

A rather nice photo of my son, Ricky and his girlfriend, Jess at Bowder Stone.

Bowder Stone

Sunday, 28th May

We took Ricky and Jess to Bowder Stone and then on to John's tea shop (that's the one in the centre of Grange) for lunch.

Orrest Head Summit.

Lake Windermere and the Droomer Housing Estate from School Knott.

School Knott Tarn.

Windermere

Wednesday, 24th May

Two more of the Outlying Fells today: Orrest Head, which I have not visited before and School Knott, which I have but not the tarn and not Grandsire, which is listed alongside it.

Orrest Head was pleasant; an easy climb following a tarmaced track which is signposted from the main road just outside Windermere. Windy on the top.

School Knott proved to be a little adventure all in itself as I managed to walk straight there, through all the winding streets, cuts and alleyways of the Droomer housing estate, without looking at the map - I even found a short-cut on the way back. Sat by the tarn for lunch and then sauntered off to Grandsire.

Called in at Hayes on the way back and bought some more plants for our new garden.