Rydal Water and Grasmere
Walk Date – 2nd July 2015
Distance – 6.1 miles
Weather – overcast and cool
The heat has gone and the cloud has returned so for the time being we are back to an English summer. Undeterred we don shorts and t shirts and drive to Grasmere for a low level walk around the waters of Rydal and Grasmere. The cloud was very low this morning, very nearly at ground level so we waited in the car for a while until we could at least see the surrounding scenery. Not windy and not really cold but very much cooler than the last two days have been so the conditions were more comfortable for walking.
Route
Shortly after we started walking we passed this house, Dove Cottage, a former residence of William Wordsworth.
Walking up the back lane out of Grasmere. Dove Cottage stands to my left at the bottom of this lane,
The coffin stone along the way …..
….. and the accompanying information.
How Top Tarn, no water visible now that it has become so overgrown.
Another almost silted up tarn, variously known as White Moss Tarn, Wordsworth’s Tarn, or Skater’s Tarn since the afore-mentioned Mr Wordsworth used to skate on it.
The irises looked lovely against the lush greenery. Rhododendrons and irises everywhere along here.
Further along the coffin route we get the first glimpse of Nab Scar.
Looking up Dunney Beck, an alternative route up to Alcock Tarn, though probably best used when the bracken isn’t so high.
Loughrigg Fell below a very gloomy sky, not at all good for photos today as the light was quite poor.
A close up of Loughrigg Fell.
We start to descend to Rydal below the crags of Nab Scar.
The A591 below us, busy as ever, but up here things were much more peaceful.
A view of Loughrigg Fell over Rydal Water.
Over on the horizon is Wansfell.
A fallen tree loking like some pre-historic creature emerging from the undergrowth.
Looks like the Dead Tree Decoration Society has been busy again. Why do people hammer old coins in dead tree stumps, I just don’t get it.
Rydal Church.
Pelter Bridge.
Rydal Water from the path to the quarry. Not a patch of blue sky anywhere today, plenty of dog walkers though.
Yes, its definitely given up the ghost so the Dead Tree Decoration Society could be round very soon.
Nab Scar across Rydal Water. The bow wave near the shore was made by two ducks, the three bow waves on the right were made by wild swimmers of the human variety.
Looking north along Rydal Water.
Reminders of quarrying in years gone by.
There are some big holes around here.
This is the biggest one I think, it stretches quite a long way back too.
Its possible to go right inside the cave using the stepping stones, or by clambering over the rocky section on the right.
Cave reflections.
Dozens of tiny fish were swimming around in the shaded area just beneath the tree.
Lots of people were in the area but hardly anyone bothered to come to the cave. Perhaps the steep hill up to it had something to do with the lack of visitors.
Helm Crag and Steel Fell over on the left are now clear of cloud, Seat Sandal over on the right is still shrouded.
Looking over Grasmere to Silver How.
Looking north over Grasmere, with the familiar U-shaped gap of Dunmail Raise over on the right.
The view along Grasmere from our lunch stop.
Looking over Penny Rock Wood to a cloud free Seat Sandal and a view along Dunmail Raise.
Although those clouds look ominous, it didn’t rain, it wasn’t cold and it wasn’t windy, and that was as good as it got today.
Looking over the weir to Silver How.
Along the shoreline of Grasmere, only a few here today, give it a couple of weeks until the school holidays and then this place will most likely be packed.
A grey day in Grasmere but it wasn’t deterring two determined ladies who were donning wet suits back there on the beach in readiness for their open water swim.
A look back at Loughrigg Fell as we move along towards Grasmere village.
A tree trying to stand out from the rest.
Silver How across the meadows.
Grasmere Church.
Crossing the field to the lay-by and a view of Seat Sandal on the left and Stone Arthur on the right.
Behind us is a view of Helm Crag and Steel Fell. Well it wasn’t the best of days but nevertheless it was an enjoyable low level walk.