Wednesday 30th September 2009

Start point: Droomer Road, Heathwaite (SD 419 977)

Heathwaite - School Knott (OF) - Grandsire (OF) - Heathwaite

Distance: 2.2 miles     Total Ascent: 150 metres     Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Long sunny spells. 16oC.

Route Map

It is ages since I have been up to School Knott, 5 years in fact which I can hardly believe. I guess when they are right on your doorstep you tend to pass them by. There are lovely views from here and it was worth a visit today as Bowness and Windermere seemed to be the only places with any sunshine or views, the rest of the lakes was covered in low lying cloud and there were lots of showers around. Young Dougal had another outing, I love to see him running free - it's how a dog should be.

An old bridge over Mill Beck. I suspect that this was originally in the middle of open fields but now a modern housing estate surrounds it.

Sunny and Autumnal on the climb to School Knott but the weather further north looks a bit ominous.

Orrest Head.

Running free - the boys make a break for it, the top of School Knott is to the right.

Autumn at Windermere.

Two peas in a pod - Casper and Dougal.

Windermere - town and lake - from School Knott.

Loughrigg Fell at the head of Windermere. The town gets the sunshine whilst the Langdale Pikes are obliterated by showers.

Heading for Grandsire across School Knott Tarn.

You may have heard of the latest sightings of 'Bownessie', our very own Lake District monster in Windermere. Here he is in School Knott Tarn!

School Knott Tarn reflections.

Little Dougally Doo summits Grandsire.

School Knott is still sunlit to the left and even the Langdales look like they are brightening now but we were soon  caught by the drizzle.

The summit outcrop of Grandsire. I tried to match the Wainwright sketch of this as closely as possible and it is interesting to find the exact place where he took his photos from. Someone who has done this for all the Wainwright sketches from the Pictorial Guides is Andy Beck, who's meticulous work to transform the Wainwright sketches to colour is to form an exhibition at Rheged from 10th October to 20th November. Check here for more details and to view some of his fabulous work.

The view to the south east from Grandsire.

Heading back towards Windermere on the Dales Way.

Old Droomer, a real old fashioned Lake District farmhouse. The shame of it is that the farm has now gone and it is surrounded by the Droomer housing estate that took its name from the farm.

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