BB1737 : A Model BOOTboy

Thursday 9th November 2017

With others dropping like flies, the three BOOTboys left standing were Mike, Robin and me.  We wanted to keep standing.  Or at least not falling over.  So the gale expected on the tops ruled out going high (as did a forecast -7°C windchill factor).

Lang Howe called.  The mini-Matterhorn that is a relatively easy climb from Grasmere.  As I think I have said before, I can’t understand why this isn’t a Wainwright- there are far less deserving causes that won the accolade.

From the top you can see a wide panorama of Lakeland Hills and the small tarns at its feet.  

From the lower tarn you can see why I call it the mini-Matterhorn.

To the south-east and lower is Silver Howe which is awarded Wainwright status. I suppose its visibility from Grasmere and Rydal Water is in its favour.  It is an easy walk from Lang Howe and a good vantage point for Grasmere and Rydal Water. Also for the two Lions and Lambs of Helm Crag.

Continuing south-east, but this time rather further away is Loughrigg.  However, this demands that you drop down to touch the Loughrigg Terrace before climbing the steep stone staircase to the summit.

North-east now and the descent, via lunch stop and much sliding in the mud, to Rydal Cave.  I have never seen so much water in it.  Fortunately the slate stepping stones secure a surprisingly safe way into the cavern.  

Here we met a man with some very serious looking photographic equipment.

On reflection (no pun intended but the reflections in the cave are always interesting), we should have taken the path that led to the lake shore rather than returning by the Terrace.  Instead, we had to double back down through Red Bank Wood before we could wash the mud off our boots.

Back at Grasmere, I was sad to see that the Red “forever flowing” Lion was no more; the building is now gentrified and imaginatively retitled as, wait for it, "The Inn".  The church also has been somewhat transformed with its new and startlingly coloured render.  Tweedies, however remained as I remembered it.  A decent pint to be had and then back to the car.

“Hang on,” I hear you ask.  “What was that about a model?”

Well, that’s me!  The photographer in the cave was looking for someone to provide a contrast to the rock formations in the cave.  He had tried and rejected a younger candidate and for some reason chose not to use Mike or Robin.  I was just the handsome model he was seeking.  My fee?  Well, although impressively equipped, he was a hobbyist so it was not a situation for money to change hands.  Simply a copy of his photo to be e-mailed to me in the near future. In the meantime, here is Mike’s equivalent.

I'll let you into the secret.  It was my red jacket that attracted him to me.  Not my good looks!

Don, Thursday 9th November 2017

Comitibus : Mike, Robin, Don, Photographer

The Dangers of Methane Gas

If you ever doubted the Global Warming problem caused by cattle producing methane, just have a look at the photo below, taken recently on Orrest Head:

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