May Visit to the Lakes Day 2

Although we woke to cloudy conditions this morning, we were optimistic  as the forecast was to improve steadily throughout the day, which it did.  We enjoyed a lazy breakfast and then our friends from Blackpool joined us for coffee after which we set out for Little Langdale to do a circular walk to Tilberthwaite visiting Hodge Close Quarry and Cathedral Cavern.  Spring is really upon us now; trees are well in leaf and looking spectacular.  I love to see the different greens: acid green of oaks, bright green of beeches and the slightly duller tones of silver birch looking striking against the gnarled silver barked trunks.  Bluebells and stitchwort were everywhere and in the bird world warblers were in song in the woods and swallows and house martins streaked across the sky.  Hodge Close Quarry was all I anticipated, invisible from the road, until, on walking to the edge, a dramatic water filled hole in the ground.  The sheer rock walls are a favourite of rock climbers and divers explore the water-filled depths.  I scrambled down in to neighbouring Parrock Quarry and made my way to the spectacular arch supported by a pillar left by the miners that divides to two quarries.
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From here we continued along the road until we could cross to the other side of the Tilberthwaite Valley and then returned via a broad track though the woods and past more quarry workings.  We quickly reached the River Brathay from where we scrambled up to the entrance to Cathedral Cavern which we entered through a short, but narrow mine tunnel.  Like Hodge Close Quarry, this was a thriving slate mine in the nineteenth century, but fell into disuse during the twentieth century.  As we entered the tunnel, cold air seemed to sweep out to meet us,  Although we knew what to expect, it was still exhilarating to leave the tunnel and enter a cavern, large enough to fit a church into.  It gets its name from its size and from the fact that the roof is supported by slate pillar and lit through a large window to the side.  I walked through the cavern, past the pool, complete with goldfish and out through the 'window' where it is possible to scramble up to another level and access yet more caves above.  Both Hodge Close Quarry and Cathedral Cavern are dramatic examples of man's influence on the appearance of a landscape.

We completed the walk by crossing the delightful slate built packhorse bridge, Slater Bridge, and across the fields to the Three Shires Inn where a pint of the brown and frothy awaited.  The day finished with a BBQ back at the caravan.

May Visit to the Lakes; Day 1

We set off today in gloomy weather which turned to rain as we drove out of Grimsby.  Fortunately we didn't have the caravan to pick up and the forecast was to improve as we drove noth and west.  The rain eventually stopped on the A1 north of Ferrybridge and by the time we reached the Lakes the sun began to shine.  As we descended into Kendal I couldn't resist stopping to photograph the bluebells that were carpeting a small wood.  When we arrived the van had already been sited on our pitch and all that was left for us to do was to drop the legs and kook the electricity and water and relax with a cup of tea.  What luxury; we had even left the bed made up.  Our evening meal was tartiflette that we had cooked and brought with us.  It was a lovely evening so we went out to catch the sunset against the naturally bonzaied trees on the hillside next to the site.

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A Hunt for Green Hairstreaks

As I had seen postings of green hairstreaks this year and I had had reliable information that they had emerged at Donna Nook, I decided to pay a visit in the hope of finding some.  Despite being sunny and warm in the shelter from the cool sea breeze, at first I thought I was going to be unsuccessful at the usual location.  I went for a walk further along the dunes, though, and to my delight came across three of this beautiful little butterflies with their iridescent green underwings.  I also saw a few wall browns, but these proved very difficult to get close to.

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Not One, But Two Jet Walks

We had arranged to meet some friends for afternoon tea at Sunnyside Farm Teashop just outside Market Rasen today and decided to combine it with walking Jet.  However, we left it too late to get in a good walk first so gave Jet a quick run before tea and then a longer one afterwards in Walesby Woodlands.  The weather was delightful; warm and sunny enough for us to be able to enjoy tea outside.  What a difference  a week makes.  Only a few days previously Brian and I had been cycling in cold and freezing wintry showers.

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Horseshoe Point

We decided to kill two birds with one stone today by taking Jet for a walk at Horseshoe Point and then continuing to Marshchapel to take in their annual art exhibition, which, as always, was excellent.  It was bright and sunny if somewhat blustery for our walk at Horsehoe Point.  The intention was to walk along the sea bank until we could get to the path through the dunes at North Coates Point, visit Tetney North Dunes and return by the beach.  Sadly the shooting fraternity have elected to fence this off and secure it with a locked gate.  This was, of course, not insurmountable and I think their grounds for this are spurious to say the least.  All that should be required is to keep to the footpath or beach, which we did!!!  Rant over!

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