Saturday's walk from Chapel Bridge in the Newlands Valley was hot and humid.  We had planned to do a longer walk but the fact that both of us had forgotten to bring water and water bowls for the dogs meant we opted for a shorter route to save the dogs getting too thirsty.  We headed up the valley towards Dale Head and crossed the beck opposite Castle Nook before heading up the old mine track which leads to the ruins half way up the north face of Dale Head.  A quick stop for a snack and we headed up the excellently situated old mine track which traverses across the north face to join the path from Dale Head Tarn at the top of Dalehead Crags.  From there a short climb led to the summit of Dale Head and lunch by its magnificently situated cairn with a wonderful view down the valley we had walked up.  This was my first visit to Dale Head as a fan of a Premiership football club!

Then along Hindscarth Edge and on to Hindscarth itself where the dogs found a muddy pool with water the colour and consistency of oxtail soup - better than nothing when it was their first drink for nearly two hours!  All that remained was to descend the wonderful ridge of Scope End, rehydrate the dogs in the beck and stop for coffee and cake at Low Snab Farm.  The lady who served us had lived in the farmhouse since her marriage 56 years ago!  The farm is now run by her son and daughter in law who we also met as we walked down the drive to Newlands Church.  A smashing day despite the heat and humidity and the dogs seemed none the worse for our mistake in forgetting their water.

A full album is available on Webshots http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/563650491yoCblp

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