For those of you that are thinking of going onto the hills I would strongly recommend that you read the advice given by the Mountain Rescue organisation of England and Wales. To read this advice, which will open in a new page please click HERE. If you would like to make a donation to the Mountain Rescue organisation which is purely voluntary please click HERE. Please make the time to read the advice page.

Todays walk although enjoyable was a disaster as far as planning was concerned. The first part of the walk, a stroll to the summit of Sizergh Fell went as planned, as did the descent to Brigsteer Park but then disaster!!!....very few bluebells, the purpose of the walk. Never mind I thought, the gardens at Sizergh Castle will be looking nice so  back over the fell we went only to find that Sizergh Castle is closed to the public on Friday. Desperately in need of a "lift" we made our way to the Low Sizergh Barn where a bit of lunch lifted spirits for the short walk back to the car. Not a good set of pictures I'm afraid the weather and in some cases the area didn't lend itself to that but this is was my first and last visit to the summit of Sizergh Fell so I thought I better publish them. Anyway you have the advantage of viewing them from a comfortable seat ;-)

We left the car just to the north of the A590 Brettargh roundabout near Nannypie Lane and walked along Nannypie Lane towards Sizergh.

Here we are at Sizergh. I am standing with my back to the entrance to the castle. I do wish I had read the notice board, I would have seen that it was closed today! Anyway from here we took the turning on the right for a short way.

A few yards up the road we turned off on the right to follow a lane around the back of these cottages which would take us to Sizergh Fell.

Not very high and totally uninteresting at this point we made our way up the the fellside.

A bit higher now and at a point where a path leads down to Sizergh Castle some views start to appear. From here the path bears left to cross the field behind me towards the summit.

Looking towards Kendal with the Whinfell Ridge and Benson Knott in view.

Further round the Howgills and The Helm

Here we are at around the highest point of the path with Whitbarrow showing ahead. However what I am interested in is an old cairn shown at the summit a couple of hundred yards to the south so we will visit that then return here.

"Was it worth it ?" .....well at least curiosity is satisfied

Sizergh Castle and the Whinfell Ridge

Back to the path now with a view of the cloud topped Coniston fells. The path will take us down to Heaves Farm from where a short road walk will take us to Cinderbarrow.

The narrow lanes are normally very quiet. We have been descending all the time and are now in the Lyth Valley renowned for its damsons.

On arrival at Cinderbarrow we took a path towards the woods of Brigsteer Park.

Edith takes time out to play with some local kids.

Up to now the walk had been pleasant enough but from here things began to go a little pear shaped. The purpose of this visit was to view the bluebells that grow in the woods. The woods are probably better know for there daffodils but also play host to a decent show of bluebells. I wasn't particularly concerned at the lack of them as we walked along the bottom of the park, they are usually more abundant at the top....

...but as we passed a rather dry looking Simm Well (l) and started to climb up through the park things were not right.

Apart from a few sporadic patches the bluebells were not showing. The cold weather earlier in the year must be holding them back. Never mind, I thought, there's always Sizergh Castle.

So, disappointed but not downhearted we continued upwards through the park to the Levens - Brigsteer road which we crossed to take a path over the northern end of Sizergh Fell to the castle.

A look back towards Whitbarrow.

And a good path ahead that will lead us directly to the castle.

The day was also taking a turn for the worse with thickening clouds. However it did stay fine.

As we were approaching the castle I did note that the car park seemed exceptionally quiet, so much so that it was indeed empty. When we arrived at the NT Entrance we found why......the place is shut on Friday!!!......so much for my forward planning. Fortunately there is a public RoW around the castle but this misses the gardens. Yours truly is now really fed up and in need of solace....but where to find it?

Walking along the RoW we caught glimpses of what might have been.

Even the ducks had the day off!

Some blossom brightened the mood as we made our way through the grounds.

The path emerged on the roadside of the A591 at Low Sizergh where solace was found....

....in the form of lunch at the Low Sizergh Tea Room before a short walk back to the car.

Next Walk:     2nd May 2010 - Arnside & Silverdale - Warton Crag

Last Walk:     27th April 2010 - Lake District - Latterbarrow

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