BB2538 : All The News I Need

I get all the information I need from the weather forecast.

OK, it doesn’t exactly scan too well but it is what I wanted it to mean.

Secondly, the weather forecasts this week for today have been totally contradictory.  BBC progressively moved from forecasting a superb cloudless day to one with showers but then backed off to mid-morning mist followed by some sun.  Met Office on the other hand began with a very pessimistic heavy rain all day prediction.  This progressively eased to light rain, then sun and clouds before changing tack again to fog all morning.

Or as the only living boy in New York carried on to say:

Half of the time we're gone, but we don't know where,
And we don't know where!

Come the day, both forecasters were wrong but the BBC was by far the closer to the actuality which I find surprising as I thought the BBC had reverted to using the Met Office’s predictions.  Seemingly not so.

Because of the uncertainty, we had chosen a route with various options depending on which organisation was right.  Start point was the Potter Fell Lane near that unusual quartered mound.

We climbed the bridle path.  In the distance, well away from the A6, is a building that has long baffled me. The OS maps are no help.  Anyone know what it is?

The signs led us down through Garnet Bridge Wood, kicking up the leaves of course, Mark Wynter style.

Following a brief inspection of the hamlet, bi yec .....

..... we turned north, parallel to the River Sprint,.....

..... passing a small tarn.....

..... and some very handsome rams,

...... as far as Nether House Farm.  Here we headed off onto the moors.

The twin tops of Potter Fell looked as dreary as they actually are.

As the half-promised rain had not materialised (although Mike thought he felt one drop) we decided that the Brunt How trig point had to be visited, where the views were much better.

Rain could be seen near the estuary but not near us, fortunately.

Road was reached at Brunt How Farm then, after passing the private graveyard at Littlewood Farm, we turned west to start our ascent to Potter Tarn where the distant views were impressive.

Normally we, or at least Stan and I, don’t like to stop before we have achieved our objective but, as we had been 7 miles without a break, we took shelter from the cold wind to eat at the tarn’s weir outflow.

Fortunately, the water drops down through the cracks in the concrete before reaching the seats so conveniently placed for us.

The final climb was the short one to Gurnal Dubbs.

I thought circling round on the north side would be the more attractive option but now I’m not so sure.  Whichever, it is a lovely little reservoir but, unlike my daughter, you won’t get me wild swimming there.  Or anywhere for that matter!

All that remained was to stop at the Low Taggleshaw enclosure sign (reported on in detail in BB1621 : Unfinished Business ),.....

..... then stroll back down the track with the Howgills in clear sight.

Now for the big decision of the day.  It was too early to go to the Tap so who should have the benefit of our custom?  We decided on the Duke but it took so long to get served.  How many times were we told "I'll be with you in a minute"?

We were on the point of seeing if the Tap might open early when at last the minute was up and we received the attention we merited.

The barmaid asked  “What have you been doing today?”

“You’ll have to wait to find out,” I replied then burst into song.  

“You’ll get all the news you need in the BOOTboys report.”

Don, Thursday 23rd October 2025

Comitibus:   

         Don,               TV Mike,                 Stan

Bonus pictures from TV Mike:

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STATISTICS

BB2538 : All The News I Need

Date:

Thursday 23rd October 2025

Features:

Brunt Knott, Potter Tarn, Gurnal Dubbs, Low Taggleshaw

Distance in miles:

10.1

Height climbed in feet:

1,931

GPX track:

BB2538.GPX

Comitibus:

Don, TV Mike, Stan

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