1st July 2025
Brampton Ridge
Leader: Judy Cherrie
Photos Judy Cherrie
Eight of us made our way to Brampton, Sands on Tuesday to walk over the Ridge to Easby then follow the road back to Brampton.
Welcome to Jill. A really good lunch at The Howard Arms. All back home and dry before the rain really rained.
Thanks for your company on my “last “ walk! See you on the 15th! Ha, Ha!😀😀😀😀🥾🥾🥾🍒🍒
Judy xxx
Wednesday 2nd July 2025
Ravenstonedale and Bowber Head
Leader: Ian Rowley
6th July 2025
Whiteside
Leader: Bruce McMillan
8 of us plus Archie the pooch set out for Crummock Water with the Wx looking increasingly iffy as we got closer. ( We started at a car park nearer Buttermere so the last part of the walk was not uphill on the road.) However, climbing the 1st steep gradient to Whiteside, the Wx was reasonable - no rain and actually improving - until about 1pm arriving at Hopegill Head!! We were all soaked within an hour!!! We crossed that ridge and then descended to Sand Hill with hardly any clear views at all. We all agreed, as everyone had been there before, to miss out Wandhope as there would be no view. We continued across Whiteless Pike and down to the valley between Rannerdale and Grasmoor. The path was fine if a bit waterlogged and we reached the cars with waterproofs off but everyone still "a bit damp"!
We had refreshments at the Wheatsheaf in Low Lorton. On the way back to Carlisle, the Wx was getting blacker and blacker!
Thanks to all who came along and I hope you enjoyed it. Bruce.
Sunday 6th July 2025
Smardale Viaduct
Leader: Ian Rowley
A day when we avoided almost all the forecast showers and enjoyed plenty of blue skies and sunshine. Damp field paths led us onto the firm and dry Stainmore railway path through Smardale Nature reserve with its displays of wild flowers and butterflies. After crossing the viaduct we had a lunch before climbing over Smardale Fell and descending down quiet lanes into Ravenstonedale village. Refreshments were taken at the Scar Gallery café
Thanks to all who came along.
Ian
9th July 2025
Jockey Shield
Leader: Mike Coates
14 of us made our way from the cars to Gairs pit a gradual ascent and a welcome coffee break. After the break we made our way along a slightly muddy section along the hillside to lunch at the bridge over the River Gelt. After lunch we headed over the river and down to the water authority buildings. The remainder of the walk was along the road and back to the cars 6.6 miles on a pleasant day.
Mike
Sunday 13th Jul 2025
A walk. Seathwaite Fell, Great End and Allen crags
Leader: Astrid Carss
13 adventurers joined me today, lucky with the weather as it was beautiful, warm and dry, but maybe a little too hot. Well done to all as it was a long hard walk today, three wainwrights completed, the highest being Great End at 909m. Good clear views. Lots of banana breaks along the way and some swimming/ paddling in the tarns.
Thank you all for coming along. See you next week for Kielder walk!
Astrid.
Sunday 13th Jul 2025
B walk. Low Kop Fell from Burnbanks
Leader: Pete Rutland
Nine members took on the prospect of a very hot day. It was a bit cooler than yesterday with a slight breeze but still a bit of a slog at times. Some great views over Haweswater and sightings of the wild horses on the fell. A very relaxed lunch on the summit before heading back down via Four Stones Hill. A couple of Birketts for Trevor to bag and a great effort by Richard getting up the 1800ft after such a long lay off with his knee op. A nice cold drink was very welcome at the Haweswater Hotel at the end of the day. Thanks to all you guys who pitched up and made it worthwhile.
Regards Pete
Wednesday 16th July 2025
Lochmaben Lochs
Leaders: Carol and Lynda
A fabulous turn out today (24) enjoyed the glorious weather and scenery at Lochmaben. This was a first visit to this area for many and all agreed that it is a little hidden gem. The picnic facilities at Kirk Loch were perfect for a lunch stop. Unfortunately -after lunch we had a case of CRP- (Can’t Remember Poles) for which we needed someone “faster than a speeding bullet”- Superman or “the fastest being in the universe” -The Flash. -Ian rallied to the call and saved the day.
Drinks and cakes were supplied by the lovely Maltings coffee shop at Annandale Distillery.
Thankyou to everyone who came especially Ken for back marking.
Carol and Lynda
Sunday 20th July 2025. Kielder coach walk.
A walk. Deadwater Fell and Peel Fell
Leader: Astrid Carss
10 adventurers joined me on a long but rewarding walk. It stayed dry all day. Great views. We had lunch at the Specere artwork, on the top of Deadwater Fell, although it was a bit rickety in places. We then ventured through the bog, in which we did feel we needed snorkels at times! Some of the hills were hard work due to humidity, beasties and uneven ground, but we all did well and made it back to the bus in time, albeit missing the pub this time Some lovely countryside and a nice change from the Lake District. Very peaceful and scenic.
Well done to everyone and thank you for joining me.
Astrid
Sunday 20th July
Lakeside walk
Leader: Ian Rowley
B walk today all sunshine and no showers.
Great views, spooky wooden head and a beautiful little surprise if you zoom into the pic of the blue boots!
Ian
Wednesday 23rd July
Low Crosby to Laversdale.
On a humid overcast morning my congregation of 20 gathered outside St.Johns church on the fringe of Low Crosby.Hopefully St.John was the patron saint of travellers through fields of cows.After a little prayer we were off past the Alpacas ,over the bridge and down Sandy lane.At our banana break it was out with the treats or rather wine gums and a quick chat about milecastle 60 that wasn't even there and milecastle 59....just as interesting as 60.At Chapel field we turn and head over fields to Laversdale and our lunch break..... everyone still sweet.... promising.Out with the cake or rather Jaffa cake and a big smile on my face and very confident I've got it in the bag.Still Four fields to go and our farmer had other ideas as he had filled everyone of them with beasts and they were full of testosterone....gritting our teeth and fully focused the girls held their line field after field.One to go and would you believe it the farmer played his trump card...the prize bull,all rippling muscle and intimidation standing 10metres from the kissing gate. Well you could have cut the atmosphere with a knife,after a lot of looking and eyebrow raising it was through the gate and out the field.The crew were great... actually fantastic but I did think that little prayer of mine got us over the line... into the farmyard actually.It was down the Lonning and call it a home run back to the village. Super day super company hopefully more adventures... maybe not as many cows
Dave
Sunday 27th July 2025
A walk. Rossett Pike
Leader: Brendan Carss
Photos by: Brendan and Astrid Carss, Ann Tye, Ann McIntosh and James
13 set out on on a cloudy morning. We were prepared for rain, but after a few drops it stayed nice and dry all day. Good walking weather and and great views. We had a couple of banana breaks on the long slog up and had our lunch on Rossett Pike. A few people grabbed some Birketts on the way and we continued on to Pike o stickle. Some nice dry fun scrambles here and there. Last wainwright today was loft crag, then it was along a cliff edge and rocky steps back down the valley. 9 miles later it was a long hike, but more than half of us enjoyed a nice cool drink in the pub before making our way home.
Thanks for coming along, Brenden.
Sunday 27th July 2025
B walk: Barrow from Braithwaite
7 miles. Grade 3
Leader: Pete Rutland
Photos: Pete Rutland
Nine of us left the cars and walked up into the village. We were joined by a friend of Carol's from the U.S. so a truly international affair. I was under great pressure as a number wanted to get back to watch the England v Spain Euro Final. I can confirm that Richard was not one of these and stated, ‘He would rather cut his grass with scissors than watch it’ .
We were soon up Barrow which gave us some great views and watched the ants heading up Cat Bells whilst having a short break. It was down to the track following Stonycroft Gill and lunch just above the bridge. It was then some road walking via Stair, Swinside and Ullock to get us back into Braithwaite. There was plenty of time for a cup in Jaspers Café before dashing back for the footie. Great weather all day, a splendid walk with a splendid result in the football. Thanks to everyone who pitched up. Hope you got your grass done Richard.
Regards Pete
Tuesday 29th July 2025
Eskrigg Nature Reserve, Lockerbie
Leader: Sharron Murray
Ten of us gathered on platform 3 for the 10.10 train to Lockerbie, a good turnout. After wandering from the train station through the park we were soon at the turn off for the reserve. We had a banana break in one of the hides before a couple of walkers decided to stay and watch the birds while the rest of us walked through the woods. We did get caught up bird watching in another hide, so it took us longer than expected to meet up with the others than we had originally said. Unfortunately Café 91 was shut so we bought a snack from Greggs and ate it at the railway station. The weather was overcast but warm, pleasant for walking. Thank you for your company today.
Wednesday 30th July 2025
Bassenthwaite village and lakeside
Leader: Joan Little.
On a grey overcast morning we gathered all 26 of us; nearly a record me thinks. Like a line of ants we fed our way down the Lonning and into Messengermire wood. Once inside this dark tulgy place we tramped as best we could up the bridleway, ducking and darting around clarty mud holes until we ventured back into daylight at the edge of the wood. Hitting the footpath down to Trotters Farm we gained glimpses of the animals through the hedgerow which was a real treat.
Through the farm and onto Buckholme Lonning the weather was beginning to play ball with us and it was smiles all round. We were now turning for the River Derwent which was also our lunch break and the location was a peach. Not one to miss an opportunity I whipped out the rest of my birthday cake (Jaffa actually) and gone in a flash; cannot beat a freebie. Keeping the crew sweet is just the ticket as we left the river and headed past Herdwick Croft for the road. Part path, part tarmac we reached Cottage Wood and then the Allerdale Ramble which turned out to be a treat of fields flat as pancakes. The heat of the day was turning up as we first followed the beck then climbed into our only field of cattle. This was a doddle after last week's encounter. Onto tarmac and past the school towards Burthwaite, we took a left turn into fields then popping into the side of Bassenthwaite Village, nearly a home run. Quick phone call and you could almost smell the coffee and cakes at Craggs. Now we split into two groups with one going high level to a view point and the other following the road back to Castle Inn and our transport. Big smiles and hungry faces half filling the coffee house and also plenty of chat. Happy bunnies and great company.
Loved it from start to finish. Thanks a million to everyone especially Ken.
Joan(and me too)
