Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Hartsop to Riggindale

The weather today was exceptional, 8.30am saw all four of us at  Cow Bridge car park! There was rain in the sky. The idea was to take the Bridleway from Hartsop to High Street.  A climb of about  2,500 feet, and around 11 miles.  But as things go, it didnt quite work out that way!

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This is the view looking back towards Hartsop, in the English Lake District. From L-R. Dollywaggon Pike, in the far right, we have Helvellyn. The small lake in the middle distance is Brothers Water. We left Cow  Bridge around 9.30 am, after several cups of Tea! we needed it! It wasnt the warmest of days.  Travelling up through the remote village of Hartsop, we began the long climb on the south side of Hayeswater Beck.  This lies between Prison Crag and Grey Crag. 

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The picture above shows Hayeswater Beck,  we have just crossed  it, and are preparing to ascend  towards  the Knott. Unfortunately here we discovered that the ground ahead was very wet and soft. But we pressed on with the proviso, that should it get worse we would head down.Patterdale oct 2011 003

The ride itself is a fantastic trail across the most beautiful countryside. In the shot above, the ground we are standing on is very soft.  In the distance are  Helvellyn and other hills.   It was decided that we would terminate the ride at this point.

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L-R. Sheena, Katy, horse with the blaze is “Tiny” and with his “Butt” to the world, “Topaz!”

The ground being so soft,  was begining to drain energy from the horses. Plus up on these Fells, there are real chances of the horses stepping into Peat Bogs, easy for the horse to disappear!

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“C`mon Dad!………….. Lets go back down?”

Back at the Waggon, more Tea, and some hot buttered Toast!

15 comments:

  1. Once again, beautiful photos! I am glad to see that Gracie is back in her "right mind". I am glad you didn't get stuck in mire too, sounds pretty bad in parts there.

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  2. Thanks for that Mary! Its been a hectic week. My OH is in Turkey, with her daughter and Grandson, and I`m here with the dogs, cat, and the horses!
    (Mind you it is peace and quiet!)

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  3. Lovely area, but no trees.Is that how it is or was it deforested?

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  4. That whole area, has mans hand upon it for thousands of years. What you see now, is that result. Mining, for Gold Silver, Lead, Graphite, all took place in this landscape. Its mainly given over to Sheep now. But this area is now protected, its a National Park.

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  5. Intersting views!! Thanks for visiting my blog, i will be back here to see where else you been.

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  6. Hi Crystal! Welcome to my blog. Hope you like what you see.

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  7. Magnificent views, Cheyenne.

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  8. You must be hungry after that trip - so I've left you a cake over on the Cowboy's porch.

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  9. Peat bogs... oh my. I loved the photo with saddle and stream.. (or is it a river?) It might be soggy, but it is amazingly beautiful!

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  10. Thanks Margaret! Very kind. Its a small stream, but as you know, when they swell with rain? They become torrents.
    Its a really wonderful place, our oldest National Park.

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  11. Beautiful, it's on my list of places to visit but will need to plan well; it would be quite a trek with the trailer for us so we'd have to stay long enough to make it worth the journey.
    Maybe I'll seek advice on routes when the time comes.

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  12. Hi Sue! Nice to hear from you! The routes round here are fab!
    If you need advice, or better still, any help with the type of routes, e-mail me, be glad to help!!

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  13. Hi Sue! Nice to hear from you! The routes round here are fab!
    If you need advice, or better still, any help with the type of routes, e-mail me, be glad to help!!

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  14. Hi Sue! Nice to hear from you! The routes round here are fab!
    If you need advice, or better still, any help with the type of routes, e-mail me, be glad to help!!

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