But it was Monday, the traffic was sparse, and being in our dotage we could indulge ourselves whilst our erstwhile friends and colleagues were beavering away in their efforts to rekindle the UK economy.
Mike (The Pie Man), being (still without bus pass) the junior member of the party, had the energy to relate his tale of this day out more or less as soon as he got home. Here it is - an excellent report - I will try not to be too repetitive with this belated entry.
We reached a magnificent lunch spot, as related by Mike, by which time the rain had stopped and we could ease ourselves cosily into the lush grass for lunch and a snooze.
Superdawg didn't sleep much - he was much too interested in my sandwich (chicken tikka and peach - I shared it with him).
After last week's excesses on the botanical front, the specimens on view today were rather more sparse, but the fells were carpeted with Heath Bedstraw (pictured below). Tormentil, Melancholy Thistle, Lousewort and a selection of grasses and sedges added a bit of colour on the lower slopes.
The descent of Bram Rigg was an absolute delight, with clear views to the Lake District (High Street) beyond the impressive viaduct at Beck Foot.
By the end even Notchy was skipping down the hillside in the tracks of the Pie Man and Superdawg in a futile bid to reach a tea shop before tea time.
The Magnums went down well, though.
I've uploaded a full set of 24 images here, for anyone who may be interested.
Mike's statistics were pretty accurate - I reckon our route was roughly as shown below - 17 km with 1000 metres ascent, taking us 7.5 hours including a good hour of breaks.
A fine day out. We shall have to meet up again. Perhaps on Eel Crag?
Mike has written a most entertaining series of articles on his walks in the Howgills over a period of a year. I commend you to dip into them - here.
4 comments:
Ah! Eel Crag, the mysterious and unattainable.... One day, people will climb this hill.
Bruno still talks of the chicken and peach butty, although he's not too bothered about the peach bit....
Took a look at your piccies, what a great walk!
I always lug the camera around on my ventures but never remember to get the darn thing out and use it. Bah! Midgie dogding around Gairloch the last fortnight I just didn't want to stop...
Keep up the good work.
No midgies in the Howgills, Louise.
Perhaps they were on holiday in Gairloch.
Or Eel Crag.
A Grand Day Out, Grommit!
The Howgli's look very fine. Notchy looked surprisingly well too, for the Undead.
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