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

 

BOOTboys

If you want to follow
T
he BOOTboys
let US know and
you will receive
automatic
notification
of new
BOOTboys reports

          Click on
to contact us.

BOOTboys
are now on Facebook

  

For the Index pages
of our various outings
click on the relevant
link below:

Home Page

BB04

BB05

BB06

BB07

BB08

BB09

BB10

BB11

BB12

BB13

BB14

BB15

BB16

BB17

BB18

BB19

BB20

 

Archive

If you want to know which BOOTboys reports refer to having visited any particular Wainwright or certain other tops, See BOOTboys Hill Log
 Warning- it might not be fully up-to-date!

Do you have any comments or questions?

If so, please click on .  We look forward to hearing from you.  If you do NOT want your comments to appear on this website, please say so otherwise we will assume that we have your permission for publication in whatever responsible manner we consider appropriate.  Alternatively you can leave a comment on Facebook.

If you would like to become a BOOTboys Follower click on to let US know and you will receive automatic notification of new reports.

Comitibus:

Mike B, Mike T, Terry, Robin, Don

Route:

Map OS 1:50k

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

 

If you want to follow The BOOTboys let us know and you will receive automatic notification of new BOOTboys reports.   Click on to contact US.  BOOTboys are also on Facebook

For the index pages of our various earlier outings click on the relevant link below:

Home

BB04

BB05

BB06

 BB07

BB08

BB09

BB10

BB11

BB12

BB13

BB14

BB15

BB16

BB17

BB18

BB19

BB20

 

Archive

PhotoS have been gleaned from many Sources although mostly from me and other BOOTboys. Likewise written comment.
I apologised if I have failed to acknowledge properly the Source or infringed copyright.
Please let me know and I will do my best to put things right.
Unless Stated otherwise, please feel free to download the material if you wish.
A reference back to this web Site would be appreciated.

BOOTboys 2020

E-mail addresses on this web Site are protected by Email Riddler

Spam Trawlers will be further frustrated by  Spam Blocker: help fight Spam e-mail!

 BOOTboys© is a Lakeland Enterprise production brought to you by

Comities Communications©