BB2008 : Wellies and Speedos?

Thursday 20th February 2020

"Wellies and Speedos, that what we need today," said Robin.

He had a point.  The rain has been unforgiving, the fields are awash and several road are closed thanks to flooding.

"Boys," said Martin.  "I have a better idea.  Skip any thought of walking in the morning and come and join me for lunch at the Mason's Arms at Strawberry Bank in the waterlogged Winster Valley."  He had a point, also.  There was no fun to be had getting soaked.  Pie and a pint sounded much more attractive (or in my case, Moroccan Lamb Stew- delicious).  Tony will read this and think himself accursed that he was not here on what seemed like the aftermath of St Swithin.  

What to do after a pie and a pint?  Well, the weather had brightened up so it was without any great enthusiasm that we bade Martin farewell and ventured out, along roads that were being converted into rivers.....

.....in the direction of Cartmel Fell Church.

It is a little gem.  Robin pointed to something I hadn’t spotted before- a ground level window where they used to sweep out the worn rushes that had been used as floor covering.

Next, the Monument.  It is only a short climb but it is a steep one, especially after a pie and a pint.  It doesn’t seem to bother some people but my legs do get heavy after such a lunch.  I don’t know to whom it is a monument.  It is more like a cairn with a built-in seat.  It certainly makes a good view point over the flooded Winster Valley.....

.... and up to the Lakeland hills.

Next we had to cross over Raven’s Barrow which was far less boggy than I had expected.  We debated to what use the barn known as Heights Cottage could be put.  It is being maintained but would make a splendid conversion if road access could be sorted out.

After Middle Tarn.....

.....and Sow Hows Tarn.....

.....a decision had to be made.

We wanted to climb Gummer’s How but should we first visit the Simpson Ground Reservoir?  It was approaching 4 p.m. by now so, given the shortness of the day, we decided to forego that delight in favour of a direct approach to Gummer’s How.

It was on the path through Astley’s Plantation that the weather changed and we got hit by a hail storm.  Waterproofs were quickly donned.  As usual, my trousers had their double impact.  The first is that the rain or, in this case, hail would stop. The second is…, well, it is perhaps a bit indelicate to say more other than they make it difficult!

The climb up Gummer’s How is short but serious.  

The sky was now bright blue but the wind was piercing.  

We didn’t linger long at the summit but dropped down to the lower path that returns to the Fell Foot Brow Road.  

This is not a great way to return to the Mason’s Arms; it is a road slog but has the merit of being shorter and far less boggy than the otherwise more interesting, forested route to the north.

Despite the awful recent weather, spring is working its magic.  In the grass verge were some plants were starting to produce flower heads.  Picture in the right hand column.  What are they?

Back at the pub we reflected on the day.  Wellies could have been useful. Speedos?  I think not.  Pie and Pint?  Definitely.  Another round please, Landlord.

Don, Thursday 20th February 2020

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STATISTICS

BB2008 : Wellies and Speedos?

Date:

Thursday 20th February 2020

Features:

Gummer's How

Comitibus:

Don, Mike B, Mike T, Robin, Terry

Distance in miles (Garmin):

7.1

Height climbed in feet (OMN):

1,429

GPX track

BB2008.gpx

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