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A Dawdle Devoted to Devoke |
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Written by Steven Procter
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Friday, 02 May 2008 |
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After Friday's exertions I didn't feel like walking much, but Lorraine had come all the way up to Barrow, so I dragged my aching bones out of bed and we headed for Devoke Water. The forecast wasn't too good, but it was entirely wrong. It said showers, we had sun all day, with a bit of cloud. We parked near the path up to Devoke water and walked onto the ridge of low hills to the north. It was easy going and we were quickly over Rough Crag and Water Crag with superb scenery into Eskdale and also down toward the Duddon Estuary. From here we walked around the west end of the lake and meandered our way over minor tops and outcrops up to the top of White Pike. The scenery hadn't changed much, but with views like ours, I wasn't complaining. Yoadcastle and Woodend Height followed and we were soon clambering up Seat How for our last (little) top of the day. We decided to have a snack at Dalegarth station before having a walk along the Esk from Boot to Doctor Bridge and back. A beautiful couple of miles, a nice little stretch before driving back to Barrow. We had to stop at the top of Corney Fell road, the views of the Isle of Man needed a good looking at, a great end to a lovely outing. Many thanks to Lorraine, getting stronger faster and fitter with each walk, well played. A full album is available on Webshots at http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/563321401AbPUvl, hope you like them. |
 Driving along the A13 recently, I noticed familiar mountain names emblazened on the side of a car. On return home I was keen to discover the amazing project being advertised by the vehicle and the equally incredible expedition being undertaken by a group of scuba divers in order to raise funds for Help for Heroes. Find out more about this expedition from Shane Farnham and then why not consider their worthy cause in support of 'Help for Heroes'. |
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 The continued good fortune of being in Cumbria along with good weather, continued again on this outing, as a few OFC again gathered in Coniston. My intentions were not to stay in Coniston, but with £100 to give to Coniston MRT it seemed logical to overnight in Coniston for two nights in order to make the best of my time. Robbie K had already contacted me to say he would join me and Lorraine also hinted at a walk out. However, as with all things, matters can change but I was mighty pleased when those who said they would walk did so. Along with myself, Robbie, Lorraine and even Steven P joined me on the long ascent of the Walna Scar Road from the village. It really was a magic morning! |
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| HAVE YOU SEEN? |
 As a child growing up, I was always proud to be Lancastrian. On one of my earliest trips to Lakeland I remember stopping at the summit of Wrynose Pass in my friend's Volkswagon camper. I guess the year must've been about 1979, but it was the monolith of limestone near the summit of the motor road that caught my interest. Seeing LANCASHIRE emblazened across it was obvious to a child, but it was the L, W and R embedded in the grass that had me intrigued. "They stand for Lancashire, Cumberland and Westmorland", I was told by my friend's father. With hindsight, it's the first recollection I have of taking note of that word. I'd been to Kendal and of course driven through the old county of Westmorland on many an occasion, but this piece of limestone at the summit of the infamous pass has become somewhat of a pilgrimage point for me - a kind of qiblah whilst I'm exiled in London! |
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 With the advent of a recent poll examining people's favourite lakes proposed by David Dimmock, I thought it a good prompt to review an excellent book portraying charts of the English Lakes. Remarkably, despite the name, most books on our beloved district encompass the high fells and walking. However, John Wilson Parker has gone some way to correct the balance with this excellent atlas. It really is a worthy addition to the shelf... |
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"It was great to see so many old friends again and to meet new people who have now become familiar names on the message board." Jill Rowland on the Honister 2007 weekend
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