Lake District, May. Day 6

Disaster!  It was closed!  We were in Bowston Bridge again at the end of our walk and were hoping for some rehydration.  Sadly it was not to be.  We had met Thomas in the site visitors'  ar park at 10.30, the plan being to walk up to Potter Tarn high on Potter Fell.  Our route took us again down to Bowston, along the Dale's Way to Beckmickle Ing Wood and up the fell as far as Spring Hag wood again.  The bluebells were as spectacular as ever, but rather than continuing into the wood we followed the track that climbed up the fellside soon reaching the path junction where we made our way steeply up the fell towards the tarn.  We opted to stop for lunch as the weather looked threatening and we wanted to eat in the dry.  The rain never really arrived though and we soon took off the waterproofs again.From our high point we could looked down on the tarn (a possible venue for a wild swim if the weather ever gets warm enough) and the wider views were expansive.  From Arnside Knott and Morecambe Bay in the south our eyes were drawn to the Coniston Fells, the Old Man spotlight in the sun, and onto the Scafells, Bowfell and the Crinkles and, overhung by lowering cloud and rain,the Langdales.  Nearer to us was the Kentmere Horseshoe.  Below, in the valley of the River Kent, sat the market Town of Kendal.  The view up Hall Beck Valley towards Kentmere was pastoral and attractive with its scattering of farmsteads.  All too soon it was time to head back down to the valley and up the other side back to the site.  Having failed at the brewery we jumped in Thomas's car and headed to Stavely and Wilf's for tea and cake.

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