2nd September 2025
The Devil's Porridge Museum,
Eastriggs
Five of us took the bus from the market to Eastriggs to visit this fascinating museum. We were joined by three other members who met us there. The museum is a huge source of information crammed into a smallish space. I now know lots of things that I didn't before my visit. Everyone enjoyed it and said they would go again. The café is open to non-visitors, we had a very nice lunch at a reasonable price. A good day out, especially as us oldies got the bus ride for free! Thank you for your company. Sharron
Wednesday 3rd September
Carlisle's dormitory villages
Leader Graham Bell.
Photos by Mike Coates and Mandy Gilpin
Sunday 7th September
Whin Rigg and Illgill head
Leaders Jean Murray and Mark Graham
Photos by Mark Graham and Malcolm Iredale
Unfortunately the weather forecast for today was correct. It was a wet, windy and miserable day. 7 of us set off this morning and went through the forest rain free; but as we came out of it we had light rain for 1 hour and the wind got up. Then after that hour we had heavy rain and strong winds for the rest of the day. When we found a dip on the hillside just before the summit of Illgill Heads, we decided to take an early lunch. We were out of the wind but unfortunately we had to eat soggy sarnies. 🤣 Not much chit-chat today as hoods were up and eyes were on the ground. Views were good first thing but they deteriorated as the day went on and we were all relieved to get back to the cars....We'd like to thank everyone who joined us today
Mark and Jean.
Tuesday 9th September 2025
Houghton Hall Garden Centre
Leader: Sharron Murray
Photos: Sharron Murray and Christine Wood
Four of us started from the Market Hall for this pleasant walk to the garden centre. We were lucky with a beautiful day and little mud despite the previous day's rain. We were joined at the garden centre by another member who joined us for coffee before we took the bus back to town
Wednesday 10th September
Round the back of Whita hill
Leader Nancy McLure
Photos by Mike
Ten members joined me for this circular walk on what turned out to be a perfect walking day, dry, breezy and not too hot. The steady climb up the side of Whita hill was rewarded by views of gently rolling hills and wind farms. We paid homage to the poet, Hugh MacDiarmid at his open book memorial on the way to the cattle grid and the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve before descending the uneven path to Little Tarras. The overgrown heather and bracken made this part of the walk difficult at times but everyone rose to the challenge and we soon reached Middlemoss and crossed the Tarras Water at the bridge near Perterburn. Wild goats were spotted here and further down the track at Cronksbank and one of the Highland cows and calf made our acquaintance here too. From there we followed the road and track beside the old oak trees to the Round House and the delights of First Bite. Thanks to Alison for back marking and all who helped deal with gates. Thank you all for coming and making it a very enjoyable day.
Kind regards
Nancy
Saturday 13th September 2025
Ben Nevis
Organizer: Astrid Carss
Ben Nevis A walk.
CMD route, Càrn Mòr Dearg.
From North face car park. The 3 musketeers braved the tougher and longer route. We’d been at the top for a little while and then saw them approaching through the mists from the steeper North side. Fantastic that we all met at the top for a group photo.
Very well done James, Lucy and Brenden. Two Munros today.
Ben Nevis B walk, mountain path.
Eight group members chose the traditional route. By no means easy, it was a tough very long slog up to 1345m. Ben Nevis being the highest peak in Britain.
The rain was heavy early morning but cleared just in time for our start at the tourist information at Glen Nevis, at 07:30am.
Lots of steps and rocky some scrambly, paths took us up to the halfway lochen, where there was some flatter ground for a reprieve. Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe is at 560m.
We had a little break here then on we went along with the crowds towards the proper halfway point “the red burn” waterfall and the zigzags.
We met a lot of interesting characters on the way, some walking for charities. A lady with a prosthetic leg, a fella carrying a barber chair on his back!, a guy in full highland dress, a couple of young men barely dressed , Americans, Aussies and a couple of lads from West Yorkshire that kept us entertained. Everyone was friendly, polite, supporting and kept up morale.
The weather was great on the way up, clear views, light winds and wispy clouds. It was definitely chillier at the top and no views from the very top but spirits were high. We waited in a small queue for a pic on the cairn. Had some lunch in amongst the ruins of the old summit observatory.
We had arrived at the top about 11:50. After spending roughly an hour at the top, we made our way back down. The weather was more wet on the way down, but the pace was faster and the weather cleared as we got back to the Loch. We got down by 4:40pm.
We had all eaten together at the Great Glen Wetherspoons at Fort William the night before.
Post Ben Nevis us campers went to the camp restaurant and had a nice meal. The remainder of the group went to eat in town.
Thank you for all who came along. Amazing achievements for all. It was an amazing weekend. Look forward to planning a Snowdonia trip next year sometime .
Astrid.
Sunday 14th September 2025
B Walk
Great Calva & Knott
Leader: Pete Rutland
Photos: Pete Rutland & Malcolm Iredale
A group of five today taking on the poor weather forecast from the Cumbrian Way at the junction of Grainsgill Beck and the Arm of Grainsgill. Heading west along the Cumbrian Way until we reached Wiley Gill, where we departed from the track to take on the steep pull up Great Calva. The hill was covered in clag and on the top we had an early lunch in the shelter. The wind was pretty strong and it was cold, which was a bit of a shock after our great summer.
After lunch we set off down the other side of the fell. It was a bit strange as after only a few yards the wind died and visibility opened up and the day took on a more positive outlook. We headed around the head of the valley and onto the summit of Knott. It was then over to Coomb Height, not a Wainwright but a mountain in its own right being over 2000ft. It was then over to Lingy Hut, where we had a break before going down the valley and back to the cars. After walk tea was taken in Base Camp. The forecast, which pretty much promised us a good soaking at some point, never materialised. Thanks to the guys that turned out, I think we had a good day all in all and once again out did the Weather Gods.
Pete
Wed September 17th
Glasson Moss and Bowness Common
Leader: Liz Sarginson
Photos by Mike Coates
On a damp grey morning twelve of us started walking from Port Carlisle, pausing at the old dock and following Hadrian's Wall route towards Glendale, then the old track by the fields, to arrive at the tower overlooking Glasson Moss. It was pretty bleak looking across at a bank of mist and rain covering the bog as we donned waterproofs and were thankful for the boardwalks. Lunch was taken at Rogersceugh in sunshine and a warm breeze and we enjoyed wide views north from Bowness Common. The visitor centre at North Plain provided the unexpected opportunity for more refreshments again before heading back to the cars at Bowness. Overall a pleasant day out
Thank you Mike for taking photos
Liz Sarginson
Sunday 21st September
Coach walk
A Walk. Aira Force to Pooley Bridge via Gowbarrow.
Leader Neil Thompson.
Photos: Astrid Carss and Malcolm Iredale
Sunday 21st September
coach walk
B Walk. Aira Force to Pooley Bridge via low level Ullswater way.
Leader Ian Rowley.
Photos by Pete and Mike Coates
After several days of heavy rain it was great to have such a beautiful day for the three walks. Although a little wet underfoot Ullswater and the surrounding fells were a real picture with sunshine and blue skies with both the A and B walks enjoying great views.
Thanks also to Sharron for leading the C walk which required a small deviation due to the river Eamont being a little more full than usual(!)
34 walkers joined the coach including a few new faces who hopefully will come back again.
21st September 2025
C Walk
Pooley Bridge to Dalemain
Leader: Sharron Murray
Photos: Sharron Murray
Just the two of us were left on the coach for the Dalemain circular walk after the A & B walks had been dropped off. It was a beautiful day after the overnight frost but a cold breeze stopped us from taking any clothes off to start. It wasn't long before we encountered a problem; the heavy rain that we'd had lately had pushed the height of the river Eamont up to cover the path. We scrambled up the slippery bank but it was quite scary. No accidental slide into the water, thank goodness, but just a few yards further along, the path was completely underwater and we had to take to the fields. Luckily the walk left the river shortly and apart from wet grass and muddy patches there were no more problems before we arrived at Dalemain for lunch. What a day! The sky was blue, the sun warm and we had plenty of time to sit and relax in the courtyard at the back of the house. Eventually we continued on our way, past an interesting clappersgate and along a shady woodland path to Dacre castle and village, before taking the road up Soulby Fell and along the track towards the village. We cut off before we got there across the fields and main road before tackling another hill through a forest as a detour to avoid the flooded sections of the lower path. This dropped to the new bridge where we crossed to find the Crown with tables outside viewing the river, while we had a drink and waited for the coach back.
Tuesday 23rd September 2025
A walk along the Esk
Leader: Sharron Murray
Photos: Sharron Murray and Christine Wood
Five of us took the bus to Longtown on a beautiful morning. We were met by three other members for this short but lovely walk along the river. The Autumn colours were starting to show and there were plenty of birds to watch on the ponds. We had lunch in the park before we went our separate ways home.
Wednesday 24th September
Talkin Tarn, Fell and Village
Leader Ian Rowley
Photos by Ian, Myna and Mike
22 Wednesday walkers out today enjoying a gentle climb to summit of Talkin Fell .
Great views over the Solway into Scotland and over to the Northern Fells.
Bonus was the relatively dry conditions underfoot along with the sunshine.
Sunday 28th September
A Walk
Seathwaite Fell via Ashgill force
Leader Ian Rowley
Photos by Myna, Astrid and Ian
Great day today for 17 walkers making a scrambly ascent alongside Taylorgill Force and on up to Sty head. After helping a group of walkers find the start of the corridor route to Scafell Pike we lunched by Sprinkling Tarn then made a leisurely trek over Seathwaite Fell visiting both the tops before a steep descent to the Styhead Path.
Liquid refreshments taken at the Glaramara Hotel.
Ian
Sunday 28th September
B Walk
MARTINDALE DEER WALK.
Leader Pete Rutland
Fourteen out to see the deer, with the seventeen on the A walk made for a very good club turn out. Parking at Hallin Fell was chaos, never seen it so busy. Some of us had to go just down the valley to find a space. Having sorted the parking it was a straight forward walk up the valley in search of Red Deer. It wasn’t long before we spotted some on the slopes of Beda Fell. As we progressed to the head of Martindale they were seen at regular intervals. We had lunch just below Heck Crag where a good herd were running up the valley below us, I’m sure I saw a cheetah chasing them but could be my imagination. After a long lunch it was back down the way we had come.
Not a long or spectacular walk but plenty of deer were seen which was the purpose of the outing. Thanks to all who came out along with Ingrid, hopefully a new member who will join us again. Everyone hit Howtown Hotel Cafe for after walk tea, not a bad day out.
Regards Pete
