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As we approached the summit plateau of High Street the mist closed in and we thought we were further away from the plateau than we actually were. We saw a bird which looked looked as if it might be an Eagle perched on the lip of the plateau. Unfortunately it promptly hopped like a Raven and then the mist cleared to reveal that is just what it was and we were much closer to the plateau than we had thought. Pity! Almost as soon as we reached the trig point on High Street the clouds lifted and we had good views of neghbouring peaks and the route down to our planned lunch stop on the Straits of Riggindale. It really was a lunch with a view - spoiled for me only because I sat on a patch of wet grass and Jo laughed. Then we walked along the Roman Road for a little way before diverting left to the summit of Rampsgill Head. A cairn a few yards away from the summit gives great views down the Valley of Rampsgill and Jo's sharp eyes picked out a small herd of deer over a thousand feet below. Back on the old Roman Road for less than a mile and we soon came to High Raise with its litter of rocks surrounding the summit. Then back south to the conical summit of Kidsty Pike perched above Riggindale which until recently boasted a nesting pair of Golden Eagles which could be watched from an RSPB hide at the foot of the valley. Sadly, one of the eagles died leaving a lonely survivor. I am not sure whether the remaining eagle is still there - if it is we never saw it. An easy descent over Kidsty Howe soon brought us to the bottom of Riggindale with its ruined farmstead (abandoned when the valley was flooded) and five more minutes brought us back to the Rigg. The fellside between the Rigg and the carpark is good rabbiting country and our dogs promptly dived into the bracken with much excitement. Luckily the bunnies lived to fight another day. For mid July the water in the reservoir was very high and there was no trace of the drowned village of Mardale. Drinks and scones, jam and cream were the order of the day at the Haweswater Hotel - very civilised, in my opinion. Enjoy the pictures http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/559925577EHQtLJ |
