For those who don't know the Naddle Horseshoe, it is the group of minor fells between Haweswater and Swindale. These fells from the other side of the Swindale valley to those I walked last week. Like last week, I was rarely without the sound of skylarks.
A good carpark for about ten cars is at the junction where the (tarmac) Swindale road is crossed by the (concrete) private road owned by United Utilities. It was another blue sky day today but with a warm wind insted of the chill wind last week. The first notable sight was the rather surreal one of a pump house and reservoir on the top of Harper Hills. I presume this is to augment the supply to Haweswater in the valley at the foot of the Naddle valley.
From Harper Hills easy walking soon leads to the high point of the walk at Hareshaw where I had lunch. On the descent from Hare Shaw I passed a large group of the insectivorous plant Butterwort by a streamlet. Pretty blue flowers and yellowish sticky leaves which catch insects.
The route then took me on a broad ridge leading to Hugh Laithes Pike. I joined the ridge above the Haweswater Hotel although I could not see it. Soon after Polly started barking as she had smelled deer. And seconds later just as I got the camera out a herd of red deer hinds appeared on the skyline heading away fast!
After the cairn at the north east end of the ridge I doubled back to start the descent to Naddle Farm. This time I saw another herd of deer hinds before Polly saw them and before they saw me so I was able to get much closer.
At Naddle Farm a good bridleway wass picked up to take us over Naddle Beck and up the slopes of the valley back to Swindale.
Lovely walk with some fine views and a bit of wildlife. 8 miles but only 1450 feet of ascent - just the walk for a warm day.
Pictures at http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2570687770035788806VkdkmY
