BB2125 : Can You See Our House?

Thursday 17th June 2021

"Why do you want to go up Ill Bell?"  asked the boys. " We've been up there 15 times already."

"Yes," I replied "but I want to see if I can see our house."

We can't actually see Ill Bell from the house window, thanks to a couple of trees, but as soon as you step outside, it is the one Lakeland Hill that we can see.  On a good day, of course.

Today was a good day.  Not as clear as some we have had lately but one that offered a chance.

We had a somewhat complicated schedule.  TV Mike, Stan and I, the Red team, were to start from Troutbeck at 9 a.m., climb Yoke, Ill Bell then Froswick before dropping down to the valley.

Mike B and Tony, the Blues, were to start at 10 a.m. and go through Troutbeck village then up Troutbeck Tongue.  The aim was for us to meet at Hagg Gill at 12:30.

In the middle: The Tongue.    From the right:  Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick (then Thornthwaite Beacon)

The Reds started some 10 minutes earlier than expected and covered the ground rather quicker than expected (or perhaps stopped less than expected) so it was precisely noon when we arrived.

Our route had not been without incident.  A path is shown on the OS map which is essentially a short cut from Limefitt up to the Garburn Road- the track that leads over to Longsleddale.  Except that there is now a deer fence that forced us to think again.

Fortunately, after a steep climb, we found a gap in the fencing at the top of the field that let us through onto the required track.

Thereafter the journey was incident free.  Yoke isn't exactly a slog. The path created by the Fix the Fells people has toned in much better than we feared.  It presents a clear line that can be seen snaking up the hill which is somewhat of a detriment but on the other hand it will protect the ground and keep people safer in bad weather.  No such problem today, the view of the Lakeland panorama was good, if slightly hazy.

After several false summits we reached the top and, after a brief pause.....

..... pressed on to Ill Bell.

Visibility was still not absolutely perfect but I could see our house.  Or at least I could identify where it should be and there did seem to be a tiny bit of it peeping round the offending trees.  

I tried to contact Margaret but there was no phone signal and even if there were I doubt very much if we could have seen her, or vice versa.

Our final climb was Froswick, enjoying the views down into the Kentmere valley on the way.  

Thereafter, down the Roman Road we marched, reflecting on our marathon outing along it on BB0617.  Was it really 15 years ago?

I'm not sure if it was Mike or Stan that mentioned that in Roman times the hills would have been wooded so Julius or Augusta or whoever would not have been able to enjoy the view.  It also dawned on us that it wasn't the Romans who would have made the road but the enslaved Brits.

As mentioned, we arrived at the meeting place and lunch stop precisely at noon. In the distance we could just make out some activity on the top of The Tongue.  Was it Mike and Tony?  Was it a fell runner?  Or a farmer?  All three possibilities were actually realised and before too long the Blues arrived to join us, bang on time.

The return to the cars was pleasant if uneventful.

We thought we should round off our day in the traditional manner at the Mortal Man.  We couldn't stay there too long.  Like many places in the Lake District, they were short staffed and had to close to give themselves a break before starting evening service.  Is this consequence of Covid furloughing or of Brexit effectively preventing the recruitment of seasonal non-resident staff?  Probably both though I suspect the latter has had the greater impact.

In the car park was a McLaren.  Exactly the sort of car you need in the Lakeland narrow lanes and potholed roads.  Funnily enough, it did not carry any number plates so maybe it is just for show.

Once home in the garden, I pointed out to Margaret where we had been.

I explained to her that next time I want to go up at night.  A nice clear night with excellent air clarity.  I want her (assuming she doesn't want to come with me) to stand outside and see if she can see the signal that I would flash from my torch.  She would then flash hers back and I would turn to my companions, point and say "Can you see our house?"

Don, Thursday 17th June 2017

Comitibus: 

Don, Tony, Stan, TV Mike, Mike B

A Night Under The Stars

Whereas I have only talked about it, Bryan actually has had a night under the stars recently.  He reports:

Now that hospitality is re-opening I thought I’d take the chance of a first night away from home this year. I opted for self-catering accommodation on Hallin Fell above Ullswater in the company of two friends.

Superb views and no pre-booking required. We took our evening meal on the "terrace" and watched the sunset before turning in for a good night’s sleep.

I was woken just as the sun was rising by the gentle sounds of the countryside – birds singing and sheep bleating.

Bryan

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STATISTICS

BB2125 : Can You See Our House?

Date:

Thursday 17th June 2021

Features:

Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick

The Tongue

Comitibus:

Don, TV Mike, Stan

Mike B, Tony

Distance in miles (Garmin):

10.4

9.4

Height climbed in feet (MM):

2,734

1,403

GPX track

BB2125.gpx

The Tongue

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