Saturday, 14th October 2017
I spent the weekend at Sheila's caravan this weekend. The weather forecast was awful with heavy rain and localised flooding and I did wonder if it was a good idea. After a fairly grotty drive up and being diverted off the A1(M) through the back of beyond due to roadworks, I finally arrived at just before midnight!! The weather was surprisingly calm and mild.
On the Saturday I got up and had a leisurely morning. The weather was mizzle-y and low cloud stubbornly covered the higher fells. I decided against doing either Helvellyn, Clough Head or Bowscale Fell mainly due to the fact I couldn't actually see them! Instead, I opted for an Autumnal low level waterfall walk around my favourite Lakeland fell - High Rigg. This little hill is on the doorstep at the caravan site and (I believe) belongs to the farmer who's field the caravans are on.
I decided to try out my gaiters with my walking shoes in the hope that any wet grass/bracken would not soak my lower legs - it worked and my feet stayed surprisingly dry given the very soggy and squelchy ground conditions. I'd also given my shoes a liberal coating of waterproofing stuff and I can confirm that Cherry Blossom Universal Fabric Protector works just as well on suede and nubuck shoes as the higher end (and priced!) Grangers or Nikwax.
Anyway, some pictures from my lovely, autumnal, low level adventure:
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| View towards High Rigg across flooded fields in the Naddle Valley |
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| View towards Dodd Cragg (Bleaberry Fell) from the flooded Naddle Valley |
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| View towards Lonscale and Blease Fells from the Naddle Valley (Skiddaw is firmly buried under cloud) |
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| Rose Cottage and High Rigg |
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| Dodd Cragg from the western flank of High Rigg |
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| Shoulthwaite Gill |
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| Lovely autumnal colours in the woodland at Shoulthwaite Moss |
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| Some walks to do in better weather and better views |
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| View of Helvellyn from Smaithwaite - buried under cloud above Stannah |
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| The weir has burst it's banks at Bridge End Farm |
From here I returned back to the caravan via the Eastern flanks of High Rigg, passing my favourite tea room at Low Bridge End Farm but, as the gloaming was setting in, I didn't stop for a cuppa and scone. I completed the walk from St. John's Church in the dark! It's amazing how alive your senses become when you're walking alone... in the dark ... in the middle of nowhere!!! I did have a torch with me but tried my best not to use it, much preferring to scare myself silly wondering what caused that twig to crack *over there* ... behind me (of course), water droplets landing on my head when walking through trees was obviously *things* attacking me! ... what WAS that snuffle? Is that the beck I crossed on my outward journey burbling away or is it a giant River Monster with a hungry belly?
A wonderful 7.5 mile walk in weather which was much better than I expected (no rain!) so my new waterproof jacket didn't get a proper testing.
On the Sunday my hips and ankle hurt really quite badly so I had a lazy day in the caravan watching the sunshine and showers dance a merry dance over High Rigg and reading my pal's Wainwright books.
Sadly, I had to return home on the Monday but, given the forecast for the tail end of Hurricane Ophelia reaching UK shores, I was glad to get home safe and sound, despite the most hideous fog on the A66 as I crossed the Northern Pennines. Oh, and the weird orange sun and skies which I learned later was due to the hurricane whipping up sand from the Sahara into the atmosphere!
Thanks for looking 😊