Sunday, 2nd September 2007

 

Walk: Sleddale Hall, Keld, Shap Abbey, Dog Hill, Swindale Head, Mosedale Beck, Sleddale Hall
Start Point: Wet Sleddale Reservoir Grid Ref: NY 554 114
Distance:  14 miles Ascent: 2,300 feet
Weather: A dull and misty start but brightening up later
Accompanied by:

Marie, Ray (leader), Many, Fran, John L, Ross

Comments: It was rather dull and misty to start off with but by the time we had reached Shap Abbey the sun was breaking through and it was time to rake waterproofs off. The Abbey was quite interesting, especially as there were information boards that showed what the Abbey would have been like. Surprisingly we did meet a couple of walkers and saw a cyclist in the Mosedale Valley but otherwise the area was quite deserted.

 

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

Crossing over Sleddale Back something has attracted Marie and Ray's attention

 

The mist rolls in as we leave Wet Sleddale Reservoir

 

The bridge over the River Lowther on the way into Keld

 

These business premises are now empty . . .

 

. . . as is this house, covered in colourful ivy

 

Eric carries out repairs on the steps . . .

. . . while Marie tries out the swing

 

On our way to Shap Abbey - we last saw this towards the end of a tiring day on the Coast to Coast route

 

The mist has cleared and it's now time to take a layer off

 

We just had to investigate the Abbey ruins

 

but what has this group got their eyes on?

 

The monks must have been smaller than Eric

 

A final view of the tower before we leave

 

The information boards are very useful in showing what used to be here

 

and you can match the drawings to the ruins

 

Swindale Valley

 

Swindale Head

 

An unusual sight in the wide Mosedale valley

 

Mosedale Beck

 

Eric and Mandy cross the beck

 

Looking back down the valley . . .

 

. . . and up the valley to Mosedale Cottage, a shepherd's bothy that is only inhabited occasionally

 

Looks like it's all downhill back to the car now

 

The cars are just coming into view

 

and a gradual grassy slope back to Wet Sleddale reservoir

Return to 2007 Diary                                                                      Return to top