Birkett wanderings

Birketts, so Mike has informed me, are hills of a certain height and nature and located in the Lake District.( northernpies.blogspot.com) Mike is an authority on these matters and will soon correct me if I am wrong!
On the Sunday the thirteenth, Mike duly collected me from my flat and we were soon heading in a westerly direction. Our destination was a small campsite just outside of Ennerdale Bridge. Entry to the farm was up a rough driveway giving Mike a few concerns in regard to the car's suspension.
The farm was a horse riding school. Unusually they used a variety of Shire and cross bred Shire/Dale horses. To Mike's amusement and with the farmers permission, I went off to visit a few of the horses.

There were more important things on the agenda to do. We had a Birkett to visit by the name of High Hows. This particular hill has a certain reputation though. Apparently the landowner has a somewhat rabid phobia about walkers and the like. Thus we had to be a wee bit discreet. Setting out from the small carpark at Felldyke, we were soon heading over to  Cogra Moss.

We had opted for the back door route to the top. A wander up a forestry track, up through a patch of forestry, some careful negotiation over a barbed wire topped fence and a quick dash and the hill was duly bagged.

A heavy dew overnight saw the tents soaked by morning. However, we had hills to visit and the weather was fine.

A drive through narrow lanes and soon the car was parked at Bowness Knott car park. Ennerdale water was still with barely a breath of wind. A delightful walk up the valley. it was a tad disconcerting to see a white twenty seater bus heading up the track behind us, a land management field study group apparently.
Negotiating our way around a large black bull, our way now headed upwards, steeply so. The goal was Lingmell. Unfortunately, I was suffering, energy levels plunging through the floor, lightheadedness and feeling a wee bit wobbly. Feeling a wimp and trying not to whinge, I struggled on.  Mike bore my stop, go wobbliness with great patience. Finally we made Lingmell and sat for an early bite of lunch.

It had taken me half a bag of jelly babies to get that far and we had yet more hill to negotiate. Up and around Tewit How, we pressed on. Another break on the shoulder between Scoat Fell and Haycock. Jelly babies now severely depleted, we eventually made the cairn that marked Haycock. Up and over  Little Gowder Crag. It was then the long, long descent back to the valley. Even Mike suffered a bit as we headed down. Lucky though was as full of beans as ever.

For me it had been a hard day and I felt drained. We had covered a fair distance of roughly 11.25. A special thanks to Mike who stoically put up with me throughout the day.
Tuesday saw us relocating to Eskdale with a stop on the way at Gosforth to replenish supplies, including more jelly babies! With tents set up in a quiet corner of the Fisherford campsite, we set off across toward Miterdale. Great Bank was the hill we were heading for. The west face was an imposing prow of a crag. Forestry operations were in progress and notices indicated that the area was closed off. obviously there is a way up the hill from somewhere around the back. However, we turned back.

   Wednesday and we started the day with a short ride on 'La'al Ratty' It saved a couple of miles of road walking!
A cup of tea at Dalegarth and we then set off on pleasant footpaths up the valley to Jubilee Bridge.  From there we continued on the bridleway up to Lingcove Bridge. This is an ancient, single span packhorse bridge.

A stiff climb up out of the valley by Throstle Garth with the river Esk plunging steeply down a narrow gorge and soon we were in the wide open bowl of The Great Moss. here we set up camp surrounded by awesome views on all sides.

Finding a deep pool, the temptation of a swim was too great. However, on entering the water, it was to find the bottom was made up of slabs of rock covered in slimy growth. Also, there were deep holes between the slabs. My foot went down one and I was unable to feel the bottom. Rather than risk a broken leg or ankle it was thus was a quick dip and out.

Thursday morning saw another dry start with sunshine. Mike wanted to bag Pike de Bield. Finding I was moving slow, I chose to let him press on while I had a lazy morning.

We were back at the tents by lunchtime. A brew, some lazing about, which is a specialised art and well worth studying! Finally we decided to descend back down to Lingcove bridge and camp there.

Spot the tents!

It turned out our move was a serendipity wise one. Rain came on early evening and continued for the most of the night. At times it was torrential. The rivers rose by several feet, the night air filled by the sound of roaring waters, boulders tumbled by the torrents, rumbling downwards. Nature hinting at the sheer raw power she possess.

By morning the rain had ceased and all was calm. Only the velocity of the water in the river giving any indication of the previous night's precipitation. Within even a few short hours the river levels had noticeably dropped.

.It was a lazy stroll back down the valley. Another cup of tea at the station cafe and back to the campsite.

A good week and in good company. Thank you Mike and Lucky.
Just a wee nudge folks, next Sunday is the big day. Yes, I am scared, however, I am also committed, I will be doing the skinny dip for a charitable cause. Many, many thanks to all those who have donated

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/dawn-outdoors.blogspot.co.uk

A few more photos

A wander up the street

The Street in question is an ancient trade and drovers route that runs through the Cheviots. Mike picked me up from my abode and soon we were heading to the higher reaches of Coquetdale. A beautiful area to visit. With the car parked in the small car park by Rowhope Burn, we immediately began heading uphill. Lucky was clearly delighted to be out, dancing and swirling around with joy. Although windy it was indeed a grand day to be abroad.

It was a steady plod upwards, with a lunch break out of the wind in the lee of Swineside Law. Goats were spotted on the opposite hillside.

Our way on led us up to the border ridge were we joined the Pennine way.

 It was a high level scenic route around and over Beefstand Hill, lamb Hill and on to the  refuge hut. A quick break in the hut. Then it was then the long descent down Buckham's Wall Burn, a delightful valley. A herd of beef cattle were encountered further down, no problems though. A heron voiced his disapproval of our passing.

. From Buckham's Bridge it was a steady amble back to the car. Wagtails and dippers were seen in profusion.

A pleasant day of walking covering a good thirteen miles.

Acclimatization??

A wee swim yesterday. Sea was a bit rough in the morning. Cross currents and undertow. Things had quietened down by the afternoon.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/dawn-outdoors.blogspot.co.uk

Wanderings

A few photos from my wanderings.

A day on the beach

Having, in a moment of a major Dawnism, signed up for next months sponsored skinny dip, my immediate concern was the fact I have not done any swimming for many years. Conferring with Mike, who is also doing the dip, we both agreed there was a need for some acclimatisation. After all, the North sea is not the warmest of places to swim.

 Thus it was we headed for the beach on a fairly sunny morning. Ross Back Sands is quite a deserted beach, even on a bank holiday Friday.
We were well prepared with blankets, a stove to make hot drinks and spare warm clothing.With the beach almost devoid of folk, Lucky was allowed to run free. He was overjoyed, racing up and down the beach, running around in circles, giving little barks of excitement. Heading up toward the far end of the beach, we set up our base in the dunes.
We had deliberately chosen to swim on the incoming tide. Unable to prolong the moment, it was down the beach and in to the water. Ankle deep, not too bad. knee deep, brrrr, chilly. A few gasps and squeaks as I inched out further. A large wave rolled in and slapped me in the face. There was no choice, go for it. A plunge into the next incoming wave. A moment of shock at the sudden coldness, a gasp, a brief,  uncoordinated  splashing and then, suddenly, it all came together and I relaxed into a steady breaststroke. A yell to Mike, who was a bit further in toward the beach. Despite the lack of my glasses I could see the big grin on his face. Out of the water, a slow shuffle type sprint up the beach? Hot drinks and a gradual warming up. the process was repeated another five times by me. Mike, after some initial hesitation, ( he is not too keen on putting his head under water) bravely went for it and in fact, he went in a few more times than me.
Well, it seems we can walk the talk. More swimming is to be done but we are going for it. So folks, if you wish to donate toward a worthy cause (MIND) just scroll down to my previous blog and click on the link.
A special thank you to those who already have donated. So far I have raised almost one hundred pounds. It would be great to double that.

Not quite Venus rising from the waves!!

Skinny Dip

Mike (northernpies.blogspot.com) has quietly been raising cash in aid of the charity Mind. One somewhat amazing thing he has participated in has been the North East Skinny dip. The one downside was that Mike felt a tad awkward being on his own.
Initially I offered to go along to give moral support and hold his towel. However, after some serious thought and feeling it a little unfair to let Mike do all the hard stuff, I also have signed up to do the dip.
For an introvert like me, with many issues, it was a hard choice. However, I am going for it. Anyone wanting to donate a few shekels to a worthy cause may do so on the following link.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/dawn-outdoors.blogspot.co.uk

Cheviot round

E mails had been shuttling back and forth for a while between Mike ( Mike Knipe) and the accordion playing minstrel JJ (John Jocys) and myself. The aim was to arrange for a few days to have a wee wander around the Cheviots.
Thus it was on the Saturday morning Mike collected me and we sped north to Berwick on Tweed. John had travelled up from the Manchester area the day before with his lovely wife Wendy and had parked their caravan in the local caravan park. The aim was to leave the cars at the caravan park with Wendy and travel on to Wooler by bus. Unfortunately, due to health problems Wendy was unable to join us.
After a few cups of tea and a good lunch served from the caravan by JJ, we strolled into Berwick and caught an afternoon bus to our destination. We where not in any particular hurry and enjoyed a leisurely stroll over to the Carey Burn. Rabbits abounded and much to his chagrin, Lucky was forbidden to chase them. We set up camp by the Carey Burn, unfortunately the midges found us. Distance wise we covered roughly an average of six and half miles.

 Sunday morning came with a lovely sunrise and the promise of a good day. Continuing up the Carey Burn, Mike, hardy chap that he is, went for a quick dip in an inviting pool. There is another side to this though, he is once more taking place in the Northumberland skinny dip in aid of charity. A worthy cause and I would urge folk to nip over to his blog and make a donation. (northernpies.blogspot.co.uk)
We continued on to Broadstruther. A once derelict shepherds cottage and recently restored by the estate which owns it. In all probability for use by shooting parties and the like. It now even has a fence around the front. Most likely to ensure the gentry folk can picnic in an area unsullied by sheep droppings?
More wandering onwards saw us stopping for  lunch at the Hawsen Burn,where we were of much curiosity to the local sheep and most trying for Lucky's patience. From there we ambled up the Harthope valley. Even though it was fairly early in the afternoon, we stopped near to Harthope Linn. This early stop was partially down to me having a 'Dawn Moment! Knowing that the valley narrowed significantly further up and spots to camp would be few, I was unsure if I could manage to push on over the border ridge and on to the College valley, as suggested?

We had covered roughly just under seven miles, 6.79.
Monday was another lovely day, how Mike managed to wangle two sunny days is a mystery? John had never been on Cheviot before and thus it was our proposed route. Progress up the valley was upwards and yet more upwards with muddy bits and much criss crossing of the stream.

 We almost lost Mike  when he partially disappeared down a hiker eating hole. It spat him out again and he emerged mud splattered and slightly discombobulated! Progress was slowed a little by me feeling a wee bit wobbly at times. By the time we reached Scotsman's  cairn I was glad we were able to sit down and have some lunch. A sandwich, plenty of fluids, a chocolate bar and a handful of jelly babies finally perked me up. Following the yellow brick road made up of very slabs, we soon made the cairn that denotes the Cheviot.

JJ with a happy smile, have no idea who the chap in the background is.
Our way on now was quite straightforward. Down over Scald hill and around towards Broadhope Hill but turning off on a  path that in places was a tad indistinct in places but led us back to Broadstruther. We camped not far beyond. A distance of approximately 9.05 miles.

Rain was forecast for the Tuesday and sure enough it started early morning. It was an easy walk back to Wooler. A distance of 5.15 miles. From there it was the bus back to Berwick. A pleasant few days wandering.