BB2415 : Problems with Paths
Thursday 9th
May
2024
We had a few problems with
paths today. I don’t mean we got
lost. I mean there were problems with
paths.
There was just Robert and
myself and a long list of excuses from others. I had to be back home early
so it had to be a fairly curtailed exercise.
We opted for a quick up and down Whitbarrow, starting from its most
southerly point.
I was using the Hug
WalkLakes map which is exceedingly detailed regarding footpaths. The only problem, or to be more accurate, the
initial problem- was that the first two paths shown into the steep wooded hill
were blocked off with “keep out” signs. Quite
possibly illegitimately but we didn’t chance them.
We
did manage to find a legitimate
way round and traversed clockwise to seek what is shown on Hugs level 9 (most
detailed) map as a view point. The path
became disturbingly exposed for my liking and any view that once existed was
now impeded by trees.
We did find a
small cave but shortly afterwards I wimped out of going any further. Robert, who is braver than me and hence in
the lead, agreed it was a sensible decision as the path seemed to disappear. We retraced our steps then scrambled up
through the wood until we reached the normal route out onto the scar.
![](bb2415/bb2415-(5).jpg)
When back home I had another look
at the Hug maps. Maybe the view point
was at the higher level? I think it must
be as it seems to imply a 360 degree panorama.
I then examined the somewhat less detailed level 8 map and noticed that
the cave we had visited was marked on it.
More research needed to determine its origins. Neither is shown on the OS maps.
![](bb2415/bb2415twomaps.jpg)
It was a pleasant stroll along
to the Lord’s Seat cairn.....
![](bb2415/bb2415-(16).jpg)
.....although the distant views were a little hazy.
![](bb2415/bb2415-(13pan12).jpg)
It
was good to see the Ash trees sprouting
leaves so maybe the concerns we had last
time out about Ash die-back are misplaced
here.
![](bb2415/bb2415-(11).jpg)
We stopped for a brew and, in Robert’s case,
to collect a tick, then continued north.
I heard a distant noise to my left.
It grew louder than something passed by in front of me. The noise, now on my right, was repeated,
loudly at first then more distantly.
What was it? Well, for only the
second time in my life, and on the same hill, I had seen a cuckoo in flight.
The Bell Rake descent is
odd. Whitbarrow is a limestone outcrop
but the scree seemed to us to be of a different
type of rock.
![](bb2415/bb2415-(20).jpg)
Lower down, as
Cilla would have said, a lorra, lorra logging
had taken place.
![](bb2415/bb2415-(22).jpg)
Eventually we reached the road and headed
south. Marked on the map, just north of
Witherslack Hall is a small lake, presumably man made.
![](bb2415/bb2415-(32).jpg)
There is a walkway around the edge and a few
small wooden piers but all generally in poor condition. Not a safe path to explore.
Tony told us later that Kendal
District Angling Club used to rent the water from Witherslack Hall for a reasonable
fee but then the owners got a well-known estate agent involved who demanded a
ridiculous amount so they walked away.
It wasn’t taken by anyone for several
years so the Hall lost out.
Whoever owns
it now doesn’t seem to be making much use of it. Are they paying the Hall?
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![](bb2415/bb2415-(33).jpg)
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We had originally intended to
finish with a visit to Yewbarrow but so much time had been invested in our two path
investigations that it was time to return home.
![](bb2415/bb2415-(39pan).jpg)
I am sorry, dear reader, that I have no more exciting things to report
about paths. All subsequent ones were where
they were supposed to be and in good condition.
There was however a window with an interesting pattern which I have
overlaid on the header picture just for a bit of fun.
Don,
Thursday 9th May 2024
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